Josh Smith MCIPD

Josh Smith is the head of human resources (HR) for Inspire Education Trust and a member of the Trust’s executive leadership team. As a chartered member of the CIPD, Josh leads the Trust’s people strategy, ensuring that Inspire Education Trust is the employer of choice which successfully attracts, retains, rewards and develop its workforce. 

Josh manages the HR function which is responsible for the delivery of payroll & pensions, staff benefits, HR policies & procedures, employee and union relations, staff absence management, recruitment and talent management. Josh possesses 10 years’ experience in the education sector, having worked in primary, secondary and further education sectors.

Passionate about values-driven leadership of people in the workplace, Josh specialises in the strategic development of organisational cultures, focusing on the improvement of leadership & management, staff wellbeing, diversity & inclusion.

Josh is also an independent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority Race Equalities Taskforce working under the direction of the West Midlands Mayor. The taskforce comprises of strategic partners across different sectors working towards our vision that ‘in the West Midlands, race, ethnicity and heritage should never be obstacles to having a fair start in life or the opportunity to reach your full potential and flourish.