Programme

As the higher education sector navigates evolving societal demands and mounting financial pressures, institutions must reassess their size, shape, and strategic priorities to remain resilient and impactful. This plenary panel discussion will bring together key voices from sector representatives, including UUK, Guild HE, University Alliance, and MillionPlus, to explore how universities can develop institutional strategies that are both visionary and achievable.

Drawing insights from the recent Universities UK blueprint and recognising the critical juncture as many strategies near their 2025 endpoints, the discussion will focus on aligning strategic goals with practical implementation plans. Join us for this pivotal conversation on how higher education providers can craft strategies that meet the diverse needs of their communities while navigating the complexities of the sector's future.

This session will explore the integration of risk management and assurance practices within an organisational ecosystem. It will look at the real-world challenges of balancing stakeholder needs, financial constraints and technology. We will discuss complexity and barriers, and explore options for connecting risk to other elements of the organisational framework (such as the annual planning process and performance framework)  to enhance understanding, improve assurance, present opportunities for deeper analysis, and improve connectivity and engagement with risk on a practical level.

In this workshop we’ll explore how identifying and reporting student journeys can be used to develop and improve opportunities for students to achieve their best education outcomes.

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) aims to provide individuals with flexible funding for education and training throughout their lives, empowering learners to upskill and reskill at any stage of their career. Paul will discuss the pivotal role of SLC as the delivery organisation, outlining how it is preparing to implement the LLE. Delegates will gain insights into how the LLE will enhance access to lifelong education and what it means for learners, institutions, and the future of student finance in the UK.

As the pressures and challenges facing universities increase the ability to confidently plan, model and forecast strategic resource needs has never been more important.
 
The session will explore strategic resource planning based on Simitive’s experience working with more than 60 universities reflecting the changing delivery models and approaches in UK and Australia. 
 
Julie will provide insight to what has changed and been achieved at Salford University over the last decade in practice and what the resultant data provides as a critical input into the planning process.

As the UK faces increasing global competition and evolving policy landscapes, the role of research and innovation as drivers of long-term economic growth has never been more critical. This plenary session will explore how universities and the wider higher education sector can adapt to shifting priorities, harness opportunities, and address challenges in the pursuit of excellence in research and innovation.

With insights into the implications of recent policy changes and the Autumn Budget, the session will examine how institutions can position themselves to remain competitive and impactful in the global research ecosystem. This is an essential conversation for strategy and planning professionals looking to shape a resilient and forward-thinking approach to research and innovation in the UK.

In this thought-provoking plenary session, Alex Usher will draw on his extensive expertise in higher education strategy and planning to explore valuable lessons the UK can learn from Canadian and global higher education systems. With institutions worldwide grappling with financial pressures, societal shifts, and the need to redefine their strategic priorities, this session will highlight innovative approaches and strategies from across the globe that can inform the UK's response to these challenges.

The discussion will delve into topics such as institutional differentiation, the importance of culture in shaping strategy, and adapting planning processes to ensure resilience and relevance in an evolving landscape. Drawing insights from Alex’s recent writings on strategy and his global perspective, attendees will gain actionable ideas to enhance their strategic frameworks and planning processes.

Given the Education Secretary's recent outline of priorities for reform in the Higher Education (HE) sector, Universities face increasing challenges in delivering on those ambitions to improve education standards and drive efficiency without adequate investment or strategic alignment. A critical component of this challenge lies in the development of data, digital and AI skills among staff - a pressing issue for institutions tasked with transforming public services, driving innovation and finding opportunities for cost reduction, as well as revenue generation. Times Higher Education has found that data-driven organisations are 23x more likely to acquire customers and 19x more likely to be profitable, as well as this shift allowing universities to lay the foundation for AI adoption.

Join leaders from the University of Cambridge, University of Essex and Multiverse for an actionable discussion to explore:

•    The catalysts for HE to explore data, digital and AI upskilling

•    How this aligns with HESPA's drive to move forward with data literacy and governance across it's member organisations

•    How the Universities of Essex and Cambridge have both launched and scaled apprenticeship programmes for staff across departments (at no commercial cost through The Levy), with lessons learned along the way

•    Multiverse's findings from their work across over 20 HE institutions, including value cases in departments we've seen new skills gained have particularly high impact

At a time where institutional size and shape are under intense pressure, mergers have surfaced as both a strategic necessity and a formidable challenge. This session will delve into the multifaceted journey of mergers, drawing insights from our speakers whose institutions have successfully navigated this complex process. They will explore the strategic drivers behind mergers, the regulatory requirements that shape them, and the cultural transformations they necessitate. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on creating effective target operating models, managing stakeholder expectations, and leveraging mergers as a tool for growth and resilience. Join us to understand why understanding mergers is becoming an essential skill to survive and thrive in today’s dynamic higher education landscape.

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) aims to provide individuals with flexible funding for education and training throughout their lives, empowering learners to upskill and reskill at any stage of their career. Paul will discuss the pivotal role of SLC as the delivery organisation, outlining how it is preparing to implement the LLE. Delegates will gain insights into how the LLE will enhance access to lifelong education and what it means for learners, institutions, and the future of student finance in the UK.

Higher education institutions are facing an increasingly complex and uncertain landscape, requiring leaders to balance immediate operational demands with long-term strategic resilience. This discussion will examine the practicalities of balancing immediate financial and operational challenges with the need for longer-term strategic planning. Panellists will share insights on overcoming institutional silos, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring that planning processes align with both short-term needs and long-term institutional goals.

Key questions will include:

• Is short-term planning an unavoidable necessity in the current climate, or should institutions be pushing towards a longer-term perspective?
• What barriers exist to cross-functional collaboration, and how can they be addressed?
• What best practices can universities adopt to integrate holistic, future-focused planning across departments?

With significant interest expected from attendees, the session will provide an opportunity for delegates to hear insights from panellists and explore practical strategies relevant to their institutions.