Governance Conference 2026

Last year's conference explored themes around 'Shaping the Future of HE Governance' and built on the work we did last year on The Big Conversation. We took time to reflect on how the complex and ever-changing landscape makes it more difficult than ever to navigate policy, politics, and people. Through engaging discussions and collaborative sessions, we drew on lessons learned from the past and examined how to build effective long-term governance strategies. Distinguished speakers from politics, higher education, and other sectors joined us for keynotes, panels, and interactive sessions. The conference provided valuable opportunities for Governors in higher education, Governance Professionals, and Executives to connect and learn about developments across the higher education sector, both in the UK and internationally.

Building on the success and insights from 2025, this year's conference will explore practical applications of governance with special emphasis on navigating the rapidly evolving landscape, financial sustainability, and changing student expectations. The day will also include workshops on emerging challenges in the sector, and dedicated networking sessions to facilitate deeper collaboration among institutions.