In this special International Women’s Day edition of Good Employment Chatter, we sit down with Helen Pankhurst — author, activist and descendant of the Pankhurst family whose legacy helped secure women’s right to vote. Today, she continues that mission through her work on gender equality, democracy and social justice, both in the UK and globally.

Helen explores why the work that holds our communities together — caring, early years, teaching and social care — remains some of the least valued in our economy, and how this gap in value affects women’s experiences at work. But more importantly, she highlights the opportunity this presents: when employers recognise and support the realities of caring responsibilities, they create fairer, stronger and more resilient workplaces.

From understanding the pressures people carry into work, to seeing how good employment and social justice reinforce one another, this conversation offers practical insight, encouragement and challenge for employers across Greater Manchester who want to make meaningful, positive change.

With International Women’s Day 2026 centred on “Give to Gain” and “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” this episode invites employers to reflect on what we value — and how valuing care can help everyone thrive.

In this special Good Employment Awards edition of Good Employment Chatter, we sit down with Jonathan Wood and Claire Wood from Datesand — the Manchester business that won Employer of the Year and Best for Financial Wellbeing (Small) at last year’s Good Employment Awards. They also won Best for Employee Engagement (2024) and Best for Health and Wellbeing (2023)!

They share how a family‑run organisation built a values‑led culture, embedded financial wellbeing into everyday practice and created a workplace where people genuinely thrive. From strengthening their people strategy to championing openness, trust and fair employment, their journey offers insight for employers across Greater Manchester who want to make positive change in their own organisations.

With nominations for the Good Employment Awards 2026 now open, this episode gives employers a real look at what “good” looks like - and why celebrating your people and your practices matters more than ever.

In this episode, we talk to Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, about her remarkable journey to becoming one of Greater Manchester’s most influential political figures. Bev reflects on how her early years working in hospitality, retail, and call centres shaped her passion for fairness, dignity, and the kind of leadership that genuinely listens to people.

We explore how Bev champions good employment across the city region - from creating long-term pathways into secure work, to reshaping Greater Manchester’s economic strategy so that growth is inclusive and grounded in community needs. Bev also opens up about identity, resilience, and how her experiences of activism, social justice work, and navigating political spaces have shaped her belief that dignity, opportunity, and being heard are essential to a good life.

Tune in for a conversation filled with honesty, insight, and purpose - one that shows how leadership rooted in lived experience can drive real change for people, places, and workplaces across Greater Manchester.

🎵 Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions. Track featured: Dirtbike Lovers.