Wednesday 11 November 2026
Hall 3 and Hall 3 Foyer
Registration and exhibition open
Refreshments available, registration sponsored by NCFE
Visit the college suppliers to discuss your individual needs
Location TBC
AoC finance forum
An early bird session to discuss the financial position of colleges and the action leadership teams can take.
Speakers:
- Jo Watson, Regional Director South West, Association of Colleges (Chair)
- Julian Gravatt, Deputy Chief Executive (Policy, Curriculum and Funding), Association of Colleges
- Becky Edwards, Deputy FE Commissioner, Department for Education
Various locations
Hot topic discussions
An opportunity for delegates to select from a selection of hot topics to discuss and challenge with peers
For the full hot topic listings, please click here
Hot topic one
Are we asking too much - or too little - of employers?
Hot topic two
What might a 16-19 curriculum guarantee look like?
Hot topic three
What would a national adult education strategy look like? A vision for national commitment with local power
Hot topic four
Belonging in a divided world: Can colleges strengthen communities in polarised times?
Hot topic five
College funding in a more devolved system
Hot topic six
Will colleges get "lost" in the SEND reforms?
Hot topic seven
AI and digital technologies – creating a vision for the 2035 student experience
Hot topic eight
Does England need a new vision for apprenticeships?
Hot topic nine
How can colleges go further to support young people into work?
Hot topic ten
Industrial relations: A balancing act
Hall 3
Exhibition and refreshments
Visit the college suppliers to discuss your individual needs
Hall 1
Welcome by the conference chair
Sameena Ali-Khan, ITV News Presenter
Act of Remembrance
with students from West Nottinghamshire College
An update from the FE Commissioner
Ellen Thinessen OBE, FE Commissioner, Department for Education
Understanding the next generation: The trends shaping learners, work and society
Jahkini Bisselink, Next Generation Researcher and former United Nations Youth Delegate
Hall 3 and Hall 3 Foyer
Lunch and exhibition
Visit the college suppliers to discuss your individual needs
AoC National Chairs’ Council networking lunch - Hall 1 foyer level 5
We are pleased to invite all college chairs, vice chairs, governors and governance professionals to this lunchtime session, hosted by the AoC National Chairs’ Council.
During this session, we will explore priorities for the year ahead, including early signals from the policy landscape, reflections on the NCC workplan, and FE sector updates. We will also discuss the importance of regional collaboration and how governance can add value without duplication.
New Principals’ and CEOs lunch - Hall 3 triangle (next to Hall 3)
By invitation only
Various locations
Breakout session - Strand three
For the full breakout session listings, please click here
Hall 3 and Hall 3 Foyer
Exhibition and refreshments
Visit the college suppliers to discuss your individual needs
Hall 1
Chair’s welcome back
Sameena Ali-Khan, ITV News Presenter
Navigating complexity: Leadership lessons for an increasingly uncertain world
Sacha Deshmukh, Leadership Coach, Former CEO, UNICEF UK and Amnesty International UK
Closing remarks
David Hughes CBE, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges
Conference close