IHE Annual Conference 2026

On Wednesday 18 November, we return to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP London) for the UK's only annual conference dedicated to independent higher education providers.

What to expect

Join us for a full day of insight, discussion and collaboration as we explore the key challenges and opportunities facing the independent higher education sector today. Our conference programme brings together leading voices from across the sector, featuring keynote addresses, panel discussions and practical breakout sessions focused on current developments in higher education policy and regulation and what they mean in practice for independent providers.

You'll leave with:

• expert insights from sector leaders
• a clearer understanding of the implications of evolving policy and regulatory landscape
• ideas you can apply within your own organisation
• new connections with peers, decision-makers, and exhibitors (find out who's exhibiting)

There will also be plenty of time for meeting our fantastic range of exhibitors and networking with colleagues throughout the day.

In the evening, we celebrate excellence and innovation across our membership at the IHE Awards 2026 ceremony. The ceremony is included in your ticket price.

Confirmed speakers

Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith
Minister for Skills, Department for Education

Naomi Abayasekara
Policy Advisor, Universities UK

Professor Paul Ashwin
Professor of Higher Education and Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Arts, Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, Lancaster University

Lil Bremermann-Richard
Group Chief Executive Officer, Oxford International

Suzanne Carrie
Head of Equality and Welfare, Office for Students

Bishan Chapman
Former member of the IHE Student Advisory Board (2025/26) and graduate of the University of the Built Environment

James Coe
Senior Partner and Director, Counterculture Partnership LLP

Will Dent
Head of Financial Analysis, Office for Students

Peter Hendy
Chief Executive Officer, Independent Higher Education Australia

David Kernohan
Deputy Editor, Wonkhe

Ronnie McAulay
Business Support Manager, Work, Study, Family & Ukraine Services, Immigration and Citizenship Service

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Derby

Nick Miller
Chief Commercial Officer, QA Higher Education

Professor Ian Palmer
Principal, Escape Studios

Jack Rose
Study Service Manager, Work, Study, Marriage & Citizenship, UK Visas and Immigration

Professor Lynette Ryals OBE
Vice-Chancellor, University of Buckingham

Joanne Roxburgh
Director, OMNES Education

Sophie Scott
Vice Chair, Apprenticeship Ambassador Network

Imran Tahir
Senior Economist, Institute for Fiscal Studies

Chief Executive, Office for Students

Further programme details will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can revisit highlights from last year.

Booking information 

IHE Members and Launchpad subscribers: £400+VAT 

Non-members early bird rate: £450+VAT

Please email events@ihe.ac.uk with any booking queries.