Save the Date

Save the Date

Our 2026 Annual Conference is taking place on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

The theme for the virtual conference is “Smarter, not harder. Rethinking reward & recognition in HE & FE”.

Pop the date in your calendars. The full programme and registration information will be available in early 2026. But in the meantime, we're delighted to reveal our two powerhouse keynote speakers, and our five experts leading the Spotlight Sessions.

Keynote speakers: Christine Armstrong & Chris Britton

Christine Armstrong studies the world of work, and challenges how it’s designed. A writer, researcher, speaker and vlogger, Christine is ranked 6th among the world’s top 50 Future of Work influencers and was named a Top 50 Workplace Leader in 2023. She regularly contributes to national, international and business media and is the co-founder of Jericho Chambers, one of the earliest pioneers of flexible and hybrid working.

Christine’s weekly vlog reaches more than 3 million viewers across 20+ countries, exploring topics ranging from AI to burnout. She is also the author of The Mother of All Jobs (Bloomsbury). Her keynote sessions combine robust data with compelling stories, leaving audiences informed, energised and ready to rethink how work really works. Christine Armstrong | LinkedIn

Chris Britton Since 2008, Chris has used an empathy-first approach to drive positive change and high performance in organisations like Virgin, Vodafone, River Island and Reward Gateway. His passion for seeing people for who they are – not just what they can do – has inspired audiences worldwide. He combines groundbreaking research, personal storytelling, humour and practical next steps to create an engaging experience that helps to unlock the potential of your people and business. Chris Britton | LinkedIn

Spotlight Sessions

🟠 Brain-smart difficult conversations — the other side of reward and recognition

Jo Britton explores how neuroscience can support confident, effective conversations when it matters most. Jo Britton | LinkedIn

🟠 Avoiding pitfalls in reward — legal lessons for HR

Simon Allison and Jack Boyle from Blackadders LLP share essential legal insights to help HR teams navigate reward with confidence. Simon Allison | LinkedIn Jack Boyle | LinkedIn

🟠 AI-enabled recognition: keeping humanity at the heart

Hayley Bird (Quantum Rise) demystifies AI and what it really means for the future of HR.

Hayley Bird | LinkedIn

🟠 Is performance management dead?

Thomas Goubau challenges traditional thinking and asks what performance should look like now. Thomas Goubau | LinkedIn

🟠 Recognition as nervous system regulation in HE and FE

Annalie Howling offers a powerful, human-centred perspective on recognition, wellbeing and sustainable performance. https://www.instagram.com/annaliehowling

Don't miss this! 19 March, 2026.