LAYING OPPORTUNITIES ON THE TABLE:

How Step2Skills and Nando’s are championing inclusive employment in Hertfordshire

In early 2024, a meeting facilitated by Watford Borough Council Chairman Simon Feldman marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration between Nando’s and Step2Skills – a Hertfordshire Futures programme dedicated to supporting those facing barriers to learning and employment.

From the first conversation with Joao Almeida, Manager of Nando’s Watford Met Quarter, and Bernard Quaye, Manager of the Jarman Park branch in Hemel Hempstead, it was clear that this was much more than a recruitment initiative. It was a shared commitment to inclusion.

“We don’t want to work with Step2Skills because we have a recruitment problem - we want to work with them because it’s the right thing to do.”

Joao Almeida, ManagerNando’s Watford Met Quarter

The sentiment perfectly reflects the ethos of Step2Skills, which exists to support Hertfordshire residents - particularly those with disabilities or additional needs - into meaningful work. Through tailored employment support, skills development, and employer engagement, Step2Skills helps individuals build confidence, gain experience, and access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. This not only bolsters the local economy but enables employers to fill vacancies with eager local talent.

Over the past year, Nando’s has become a standout example of what inclusive employment can look like in practice. The company’s partnership with Step2Skills has led to a series of impactful initiatives across Hertfordshire. From hosting Discovery Days in branches across Watford, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, and Stevenage, to offering paid roles and supported internships, Nando’s has opened doors for individuals who often face systemic challenges in the job market.

Their involvement has gone far beyond recruitment. Nando’s has actively participated in Inclusive Job Fairs, collaborated with local organisations such as Sunnyside Rural Trust, Watford General and Watford FC, and engaged in neurodiversity awareness training to foster a more understanding and adaptable workplace culture. Joao’s leadership on the Step2Skills Employer Forum has also helped shape best practices and inspire other businesses to follow suit.

One of the most promising developments has been the launch of a supported internship programme with West Herts College, which Nando’s is now looking to expand to other local organisations. These internships provide structured, on-the-job learning experiences that often lead to paid employment, demonstrating the long-term value of inclusive hiring.

At the 2025 Step2Skills Achievement Awards, Joao was honoured with a Special Recognition for his outstanding contributions to inclusive employment. It was a moment that celebrated not just individual leadership, but a company-wide culture of compassion, adaptability, and purpose.

Step2Skills continues to work with employers across the county to create inclusive workplaces where everyone has the chance to thrive. As one of Hertfordshire Futures’ key service brands, the programme offers a range of support, from job coaching and workplace adjustments to employer training and strategic advice, ensuring that inclusion is not just a goal, but a reality.

14/11 AI CONFERENCE

FRIDAY 14TH NOVEMBER

FIELDER CENTRE, HATFIELD BUSINESS PARK

SPONSORED BY GOOGLE, STEVENAGE

BIOSCIENCE CATALYST AND UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE

09:00-16:00

MEMBER RATE - £159.00 +VAT

NON-MEMBER RATE - £189.00 +VAT

Join Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce for an inspiring and futurefocused AI Conference, taking place at The Fielder Centre, Hatfield Business Park, on Friday 14th November 2025, from 09:00 to 16:00. The conference will explore how Artificial Intelligence is shaping the way we work, communicate and grow our businesses.

We are delighted to announce that the 2025 conference is proudly sponsored by Google – the tech giant – now firmly rooted in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire with a new data centre on a 33 acre site – as well as University of Hertfordshire and Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst. Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst (SBC) is a not-for-profit life sciences campus accelerating health innovation since 2012. Co-located with GSK, it hosts over 45 companies developing pioneering treatments for diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders. Andrew Waters, Interim CEO and CFO will be speaking about The Future of AI in Drug Discovery.

The University of Hertfordshire is nurturing the next generation of AI talent while pushing the boundaries of what intelligent systems can do. Prof Farshid Amirabdollahian is Professor of Human-Robot Interaction and Head of the Robotics Research Group at the University of Hertfordshire. Prof Amirabdollahian champions an approach to AI that blends imagination with practicality – developing ethical, inclusive technologies while nurturing the next generation of AI talent. His team’s work exemplifies how intelligent systems can improve lives, strengthen local innovation ecosystems and help shape a future where technology serves both people and society. We are delighted to share that the University of Hertfordshire will be showcasing their innovative ‘Robot House Immersive Experience’.

This full-day event will bring together business leaders, technology experts, educators and innovators for a series of thought-provoking sessions, hands-on workshops and exhibition stands.

Associate Sponsor: City Fibre X Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce

Highlights of the day include:

Keynote speech from Jamie Claret, Founder, Autonomate

The Cup of Tea Problem: Why Most AI Projects Fail –And How to Actually Make Them Work

Address from Matthew Higgins, Microsoft AI Business Solutions Ambassador

Your team is already using AI – now’s the time to take back control!

The conference programme includes:

- Two plenary sessions with keynote speakers.

- The event will showcase a number of influential and insightful speakers from a wide range of backgrounds, who will share their stories and reveal what they believe brought them success in their careers and their lives.

- Panel discussion on the opportunities and ethical challenges AI presents.

- Six breakout sessions focused on practical AI tools for creativity, productivity, customer service and cyber security.

- Exhibition stands including local startups, AI innovators and ‘The Robot House’ from the University of Hertfordshire.

- Networking opportunities with professionals, entrepreneurs and digital leaders.

- Breakfast, lunch and refreshments included.

Panellists

Our closing Q&A will comprise panellists including representatives from our Headline Sponsors: Marco Delise, PhD, Director of Entrepreneurship and Business Development at SBC; Jamie Claret, Autonomate; Dr Robert Elliott Smith PhD FRSA; Colette Mason, IT AI Solutions Developer at Cleverclogs AI; Karen K. Burns, CEO & Co-founder at Fyma; and Kamil Maharajh, Data & AI Team – AI/ML Lead at BDO Digital.

Xpertex

Cyber Threats: Securing Your Organisation in the AI Era

Douglas Fergusson - Security Controller & Spencer West – Technical Consultant

High Commission of Canada with Maximizer X Avrion

AI & CRM: The future of Data

Sanjay Purohit, Lead Trade Commissioner – AI, Technology and Innovation

Matthew Head, Relationship Manager, Avrion

IT Builder

Productivity Without Compromise – Leveraging AI Safely in the Workplace

Matthew Higgins, Microsoft AI Business Solutions Ambassador Rob Finlay

AI-Enhanced Creativity: Human Intuition Meets AI Tools

Rob Finlay, Producer | Director, Written Records

Carlsberg Britvic

AI as Your Everyday Companion: Enhancing Productivity and Creativity

Shaun Keya, Senior AI & Automation Manager

Lucy Hawking regrets that she is no longer available to deliver this talk and wishes the Forum a successful day’s event.

Keynote speech from Dr Robert Elliott Smith PhD FRSA, Scientist, Technologist, Author, Advisor