Last Thursday, our Associate Director, Alex Levy, hosted the latest Fund Forum event, our exclusive networking community for HR professionals across the buy-side sector.
This roundtable brought together 20 HR professionals for an evening of insight and collaboration, hosted by our partners at Arcadia Consulting, Steve Ellis, Partner at Arcadia, presented to the group on being ‘Change Ready by Design’
In today’s climate, change is the only constant. Across financial services, leaders are being challenged to navigate new technologies, shifting market dynamics, and growing geopolitical uncertainty; all while maintaining stability, engagement, and performance.
The session explored how to lead effectively in these conditions, not just managing change, but driving it intentionally and with confidence. Steve guided attendees through practical exercises and discussions on how to take control of the change narrative and communicate a clear, motivating “change story.”
By connecting both rational and emotional drivers, leaders can energise their teams, build commitment, and set a clear direction even in times of volatility.
The discussion focused on how leaders can become more effective change agents, delivering transformation through others while fostering a confident, forward-thinking mindset.
Participants explored how to identify both internal and external barriers to leading change, communicate news (whether good or bad) with purpose, and reframe information into a compelling “change story” that inspires action. The session also encouraged attendees to set clear team commitments, outline next steps, and communicate a shared vision and direction to engage and motivate their people through periods of uncertainty.
Across all sectors, there is a resistance to change that typically manifests in three ways: emotional, cognitive, and behavioural. Understanding these patterns is critical for helping teams move from resistance to readiness.
Through practical tools, the session equipped the group to:
- Prepare their organisations for the constant reality of change
- Embed resilience and adaptability within their teams
- Use storytelling and vision to sustain engagement through transformation
The evening concluded with food, drinks and networking, a chance for peers to share experiences, compare approaches, and continue building the collaborative Fund Forum community.
A huge thank you to our partners at Arcadia Consulting for hosting such an insightful and energising session, and to everyone who joined us.
If you are interested in joining the Fund Forum network please contact Alex Levy at al@elliottscotthr.com
