UK Joins CEC European Managers as New Chapter Begins in Milan

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The annual General Assembly of CEC European Managers, held this year on 5 June in Milan, was not just a statutory meeting but a symbolic moment of growth, renewal, and forward-looking strategy.

The Assembly was hosted by CIDA Manager, the Italian member organisation of CEC, and it was held in the vibrant economic capital of Italy, Milan. The Assembly convened national delegations, sectoral representatives, and key stakeholders in European social dialogue to shape the future of management in Europe.

A Landmark Accession: The United Kingdom Joins

The Institute of Leadership from the United Kingdom was officially welcomed as a new member of CEC European Managers. The Assembly gave its full approval after a compelling speech by John Mark Williams, CEO of the UK-based organisation.

Williams highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing European leaders today and emphasized the importance of international collaboration in fostering responsible and inclusive leadership.

“Innovation is the result of ideas and ideas are the results of connections. This is what we do, we connect managers and leaders and foster innovation in leadership”

John Mark Williams

CEO of The Institute of Leadership

Williams stated. “By joining CEC, we embrace a shared European responsibility to prepare our leaders for the complexity of today’s challenges—from climate change to digital transformation.”

 

The decision marks a significant expansion of CEC’s geographical and political reach, reinforcing the organisation’s position as a truly pan-European voice for managers.

Leadership Renewal: Helena Wallin Appointed Treasurer

Another key highlight was the appointment of the Swedish leader, Helena Wallin, as the new Treasurer of CEC European Managers.

Wallin, a prominent figure in Swedish leadership circles, also joined the Executive Board, bringing with her a strong track record in public sector management and sustainable leadership.

Her appointment is reinforcing CEC’s ongoing commitment to both gender balance and fiscal responsibility.

Visibility, Strategy and Growth

The General Assembly also served as an opportunity to assess CEC’s strategic communication and advocacy efforts over the six months. A comprehensive presentation showcased the growing visibility and engagement of the organisation through a rich content portfolio:

  • 20 articles and 75 social media posts highlighted CEC’s advocacy in Brussels in the last 6 months. In this sense, Olga Molina, Director of CEC, showcased the social dialogue activities carried out in Brussels over the previous six months, including challenges related to the Quality Jobs Roadmap and the psychosocial risks directive initiative, among other actions taken through hearings with EU institutions.
  • The voices of members were amplified through 22 articles and 66 posts, ensuring that national priorities resonate at the European level.
  • Seven interviews with leadership voices and 12 videos gave visibility to diverse managerial perspectives.
  • The campaign #BeyondBias, a flagship initiative promoting inclusive leadership, achieved strong multilingual engagement with 21 articles, 70 posts, and 20 videos across English, French, Italian, Polish, and Spanish.

Data from the past 12 months indicated substantial growth in online presence, especially via LinkedIn, where strategic content—including newsletters like LeadersInsight and EUPolicyPulse—has driven consistent engagement.

CEC has published 7 editions of LeadersInsight and 3 editions of PolicyPulse since December 2024, cementing its role as a recognised social partner of the EU institutions and a responsible organisation in the EU policy and management space.

Working Groups: Shaping the Future

Key thematic areas addressed by ongoing and newly launched working groups were shared with the Assembly. Among them:

  • Just Transition and Climate Leadership, with a strong mandate to support managers navigating the green transition.
  • Artificial Intelligence and Digitalisation, focusing on the implementation of the EU’s AI Act, managing shadow AI, and clarifying complex regulatory frameworks.
  • Innovation for a More Competitive EU, driven by collaboration between corporates, startups, and academia to prepare managers for future business models and technologies.
  • Gender Equality and Diversity

These groups reflect CEC’s proactive stance on equipping managers for rapid societal and technological changes, rooted in European values.

Youth Engagement and Inclusion

The Assembly also featured updates from the Swedish leaders. Their organisation, Ledarna, showcased youth-focused initiatives, acknowledging the urgent need to integrate younger generations into leadership and decision-making processes.

Inspired by insights from behavioral studies and collaboration with institutions such as the Berghs School of Communication, CEC is working to dismantle the stigma around vulnerability in leadership and foster environments where asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

An exciting announcement was made regarding the upcoming Sustainable Leadership Summit to be held at the European Parliament on 15 October 2025. Organised in partnership with the Swedish leaders, the Summit will spotlight the role of leadership in the green transition, featuring prominent speakers including MEP Isabella Lövin, Svante Axelsson from Fossil-Free Sweden, and experts from the Stockholm Resilience Centre.

Strengthening the Social Dialogue

The General Assembly endorsed a proposal by Ledarna to establish a Reference Group for Social Dialogue Matters, aimed at boosting the internal consultation and capacity of CEC in shaping EU social policy.

This move further underlines CEC’s strategic role as a recognised European social partner and its engagement with the European Commission.

A Clear Mandate Going Forward

As CEC President Maxime Legrand noted in his closing remarks,

“The challenges we face—climate, digitalisation, social cohesion—require managers who lead with responsibility and vision. The decisions we have taken today ensure that CEC remains not only a voice for managers but also a driving force for a stronger, fairer, and more innovative Europe.”

Maxime Legrand

President CEC European Managers

With renewed leadership, expanding membership, and a growing influence across policy and industry, CEC European Managers is well-positioned to lead the way in shaping the future of work and leadership across the continent.