In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, providers must learn to ride the tide of change with intention and agility. From shifting student expectations and emerging technologies to global challenges and evolving skills requirements, institutions must prize innovation over tradition. Riding the tide means embracing change as a continuous force—leveraging data, innovation, and collaboration to stay relevant and impactful. Planners serve as navigators and strategic anchors—translating uncertainty into actionable insights and aligning short-term responses with long-term institutional goals.
It’s about remaining oriented through the core mission while being flexible, ensuring that institutions not only adapt but lead in shaping the future of education and research.This year’s conference invites participants to explore how we can move with change rather than resist it. Through thought-provoking sessions, collaborative discussions, and strategic insights, "Riding the Tide" aims to empower attendees to navigate complexity, turn challenges into opportunities, and shape the future of education with purpose and resilience.
The full programme will be released as soon as possible, but in the meantime we are delighted to confirm the following speakers:
Professor David Latchman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of London, will be joining us to discuss partnership models and the future of shared services. We’re also pleased to welcome Debbie McVittie, Editor at WonkHE, who will explore how the sector can secure educational excellence in times of change. Dr Mark Corver will be speaking on what data can tell us about the changing Higher Education landscape.
Craig Chapman-Smith, Director of Strategy Implementation and Risk at the University of Glasgow, will be speaking about the connections between strategy and planning, including the role of platforms, modelling and KPIs. Emma Hartley, Head of Planning and Performance at the University of Sheffield, will be sharing her experience on embedding risk management within strategic planning. We’re also looking forward to a joint session with Tracey Slaven, Chief Transformation Officer at the University of Cumbria, and Harriet Barnes, Director of Research Innovation and Skills at Medr who together will reflect on lessons learned from policy implemented in the devolved nations.
We’re excited to have such a strong programme taking shape and will share further details as they are confirmed.
We look forward to welcoming you in February 2026 to connect, learn and celebrate the great work of our members. We are delighted to be hosting our Annual HESPA Awards ceremony during the conference, taking the opportunity to highlight outstanding contributions to our community. We are excited to be joined by our supporter network, in particular our friends at Simitive, who will be bringing our exhibition space to life.
