This year, Advance HE is celebrating 20 years leading and supporting effective governance in HE. Culture is the key factor that underpins effectiveness no matter what the operating context throws at higher education providers. With that in mind, the 2023 conference will look at board culture through the lens of navigating policy, politics and people. We will reflect on what the past twenty years has sharpened our focus on, as well as look ahead to the prospect of further governmental and regulatory change in order to stimulate thinking on how healthy board culture can thrive to benefit all.
We will be joined by high profile speakers from the world of politics, higher education and looking beyond to other sectors for a series of keynotes, panels and interactive sessions. The conference is an ideal opportunity to connect with fellow Governors in higher education, Governance Professionals or Executives and learn about developments across the higher education sector with a focus spanning higher education in the UK and internationally.
Join us at the Governance Conference 2023
Dates: 23 November 2023
Location: De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London
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Programme - Governance Conference 2023
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On the day
Keynote from Julia Gillard
Panel session
We will explore the higher education regulatory environment with a discussion on how higher education governing bodies are managing their statutory and regulatory function. We will consider the extent to which the promise of proportionate and risk based regulation is being delivered upon and what further changes may be required. The session will also reflect on the review from the Parliamentary Industry and Regulation select committee inquiry to consider their main findings and how the recommendations may have impact going forward and we will also consider how regulation is changing across the UK and the lessons learned for the respective nations.
Workshops
Policy: How do you develop a new regulatory approach?
Chair: Aaron Porter
This session will explore how the changing policy environment is impacting the higher education sector, individual institutions and how this is impacting the discussions and oversight which governing bodies need to undertake. In the context of an upcoming general election, the session will consider the extent to which higher education policy is under the spotlight, what a future government may bring for the sector and what the sector would want to see from the next government.
Politics: What do we want future government to focus on for HE?
Alistair Burt, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council at Lancaster University
This panel will explore the current and likely future direction for political interest in higher education with a discussion on how governing bodies are responding to the governments priorities for higher education and where this influences strategic direction. The panel will draw upon their own experience in Parliamentary politics and having held ministerial positions in government to explore the trends of what governments expect from universities and higher education institutions. The panel will seek to examine and explore with delegates what the higher education sector would like future governments to prioritise for higher education and how this may align with the agendas of current and future governments and what changes and developments may be required.
People: Navigating board dynamics – Lessons from other sectors
In this session we will explore the themes emerging across sectors in the quest to improve both board diversity and inclusion. What do the best boards do? How can you avoid the inclusion gap? What could higher education boards be doing differently? Our two contributors will bring a wealth of insights from the corporate, arts and education sectors to lend a fresh perspective on this issue.
Ri Chakraborty
International Arts Culture Consultant, Executive Producer Film TV, Board member and Chair
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