We hear an update from the CFO about how advanced the company’s merger plans are and how this will secure their future in a competitive industry dominated by far larger global players. But the HR director has more worrying news about the numbers of staff that are quitting the company, especially the large amount of trainees leaving before they complete their training contracts. There are also concerns about stock pilfering and a largely blue-collar workforce who are struggling with the cost of living crisis. Despite the merger promising a bright future, the board can’t ignore either employee retention problems or wider issues around how to support their workforce through difficult times. Our panel talk through the situation and provide their advice on how a board might manage a situation like this. The conversation has pointers not only for senior managers and board members who might face a similar situation but also for anyone who aspires to be in senior roles in the future.  Host Peter van Veen, Director, Corporate Governance and Stewardship, ICAEW discusses the dilemma with Sandy Pepper, Emeritus Professor of Management Practice at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Janet Williamson, Senior Policy Officer for Corporate Governance and Capital Markets at Trades Union Congress, and Leo Martin, Founder and Director, Good Corporation.  Links For more on ICAEW’s major content series on boards and corporate governance www.icaew.com/newboardagenda Host Peter van Veen Guests Sandy Pepper, Emeritus Professor of Management Practice at the London School of Economics and Political Science  Janet Williamson, Senior Policy Officer for Corporate Governance and Capital Markets at Trades Union Congress Leo Martin, Founder and Director, Good Corporation. Producer Ed Adams Episode first published: 25 November 2022 Podcast recorded: 3 November 2022