Conference Programme - HMC (The Heads' Conference)

HMC Autumn Conference 2025

29 September 2025 - 1 October 2025

International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)

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Monday 29 September 2025

Time	Event
Asia Cluster Group Meeting	09.00 - 10.00 ICCW
09.30 - 12.00	CEO/Principals Network Meeting International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
11.00 – 14.00	Registration Open Atrium, ICCW
11.00 - 12.30	International Division Meeting International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
12.00 – 12.45	IBDP Schools Meeting International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
12.00 – 13.00	Schools in Cathedral Closes Meeting International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
12.00 – 13.00	Affiliate Member Meeting International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
12.00 – 13.00	Boarding Schools' Meeting International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
12.45 - 13.50	Lunch and Networking Served among the exhibitors Main Hall, ICCW
12.45 - 13.50	Private drinks and lunch for new members and their partners/spouses International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW) Kindly sponsored by Perry
13.50 – 14.00	Move to the Auditorium for the start of conference proceedings
14.00 – 14.10	Conference Welcome Speaker: Simon Hyde, CEO, HMC Auditorium, ICCW
14.10 - 14.45	Chair’s Opening Address Speaker: Philip Britton, HMC Chair 2025-26 and Head of Foundation, Bolton School Auditorium, ICCW
14.50 – 15.25	Keynote session 1: Success Always Comes Second Speaker: Gavin Horgan, Headmaster, Millfield School and James Guy, Olympic Swimmer Auditorium, ICCW Kindly sponsored by Castlegate Education
15.25 – 16.00	Keynote 2: 'Geeks like us' How music and creativity thrive in our Schools and how we protect and nurture talent Speakers: Nicola Smith and Tom Redmond, Joint Principals, Chetham’s School of Music Auditorium, ICCW Kindly sponsored by Cloud Design Box
16.00 - 16.05	Conference Sponsor - Lenovo Speaker: Graham Thomas, UK/I Solutions Technologist, Lenovo Auditorium Kindly sponsored by Lenovo
16.05 – 16.30	Refreshments and networking Served among the exhibitors Main Hall, ICCW
16.30 - 18.30	Fringe Activities available within the Exhibition
17.00 – 17.45	Annual Service Auditorium, International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
18.00 - 18.45	Poster Gallery Opening Main Hall, ICCW
19.00 - 19.30	Drinks Reception Caernarfon Suite, Celtic Manor Resort
19.30 - 22.00	Street Food Supper An opportunity to share an informal dining experience. Caernarfon Suite, Celtic Manor Resort

Tuesday 30 September 2025

Time	Event
07.00 - 08.45	Breakfast
07.30 - 08.30	Catholic Mass Conwy Room, CMR
07.30 - 08.30	Holy Communion Denbigh Room, CMR
09.00 – 09.10	Welcome to day two Speaker: Philip Britton MBE, Head of Foundation, Bolton School, and Chair of HMC 2025-26 Auditorium, ICCW
09.10 – 09.55	Keynote 3: Transformational change in ancient institutions Speakers: The Rt. Hon. Sir Ernest Ryder Auditorium, ICCW Kindly sponsored by Educaite
09.55 – 10.45	Panel Session: Solutions, not problems: independent schools for the national good Speakers: Ali Henderson, Chief Executive Officer, Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation Pete Kirkbride, Chief Education Officer, E-ACT John Roberts, Founder and CEO, AO World Dr Carl Ward, Founder and Chair, Foundation for Education Development (FED) Auditorium, ICCW
10.45 – 11.00	Launch of IDPE report - Fundraising futures: Transforming UK schools' philanthropy Speaker: Lou Bennett, CEO, The Institute of Development Professionals in Education (IDPE) The Fundraising futures: Transforming UK schools’ philanthropy report draws on insight from UK schools with established development offices as well as US schools and the higher education sector, to support schools from both the independent and state sector to enhance their fundraising efforts. Supported by sector-wide research, benchmarking, and inspiring case studies, the report includes key recommendations for schools to adopt, common pitfalls to avoid, and the importance of development as a core function in every school to enhance social impact. Auditorium, ICCW
11.00 - 11.05	Conference Sponsor - HP Speaker: Neil Sawyer – HP Senior Vice President, Northwest Europe (UK&I / Benelux / Nordics) Auditorium Kindly sponsored by HP
11.05 - 11.45	Refreshments and networking Served among the exhibitors Main Hall, ICCW
11.45 -11.55	Move to the next session
11.55 – 13.00	Members' only session: Divisional Meetings East Division ROOM 1B Irish Division ROOM 3A London Division ROOM 1A North East Division ROOM 1C North West Division ROOM 2A Scottish Division ROOM 4A South Central Division ROOM 2B South East Division ROOM 2C South West and Wales Division ROOM 3B West Division ROOM 3C
13.00 – 13.50	Lunch and Networking Served among the exhibitors Main Hall
13.50– 14.00	Movement between sessions
14.00 – 14.50	CPD Seminars Session 1 1A: Rugby in our schools – tackling the future together. Neil Rollings, ICE Education and Steve Grainger, Executive Director of Rugby Development at Rugby Football Union Room 1C 1B: Working with teaching unions and union recognition agreements, including how unions can help you and your school. Carl Parker, Head of Industrial Relations, ASCL Room 4A 1C: From Risk to Readiness: Implementing an AI framework for your school. Alex Russell, CEO Bourne Education Trust (‘BET’) and Richard Alton, Head of Digital Education, Epsom College Room 2B 1D: Developing educational partnership with international franchise schools. Martin Collier, Educational Consultant Room 3B 1E: Leading Through Headwinds: How Creative CEOs Turn Disruption into Opportunity. Clare Barnett, Managing Director, Synergia Coaching and Emma Hattersley, Partner, Saxton Bampfylde Room 1A 1G: Employment Law Update: What independent schools need to focus on now. David Eastwood, Head of Team & Solicitor, WorkNest Room 2C 1H: Creating Deeper, Meaningful Partnerships – Helping 100% of Children to Thrive. Melvyn Roffe MBE, Head, Haberdashers’ Monmouth School and Pete Kirkbride, Chief Education Officer, E-ACT Room 3A 1I: Crisis-ready: leading with confidence in challenging times. Miriam Rich MCIPR, Director, Miriam Rich Associates Limited Room 3C 1J: Unlocking your school’s fundraising potential. Lou Bennett, CEO, IDPE; Amanda Scott, Executive Director, Latymer Foundation at Hammersmith, Latymer Upper School and Susan Wijeratna, Head, Latymer Upper School Room 1B International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
14.50 – 15.00	Move between sessions
15.00 – 15.50	Workshop sessions A: Cracking the Code: Preparing for ISI in an Unclear Landscape Room 2B B: Artificial Intelligence’ in Schools: what does emerging ‘good practice’ look like? Room 1A C: Leaning in: Delivering impactful and strategic partnership in age of increased costs Room 4A D: How to engage with alumni in a more polarised and political environment Room 2A E: Leading in Partnership: Empowering Your Director of Sport to Deliver Impact Room 1C F: Pathways to Purpose: Developing and Retaining Passionate Educators Room 1B G: Doing More with Less: Efficiency and Savings in Independent Schools Room 2C H: Shaping the Future, Preserving the Core Room 3A I: Reform of Assessment: The story so far and next steps Room 3C International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
15.50 - 16.20	Refreshments and Networking Served among the exhibitors Main Hall, ICCW
16.30 – 17.20	CPD Seminars session 2 2A: Creating inclusive environments: the role of school leaders. Yasmina Koné, Hemisphere Education; Alan Bird, Head, City of London; Bradley Salisbury, Head, Dean Close School; and Naimh Green, Head, Roedean School Room 3C 2B: How independent schools and their associations are doing the right thing across the globe. Anand Mahadevan, Executive Director, Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS); Debra Forsyth, CEO, British Schools in the Middle East (BSME); John Gwyn Jones MBE, CEO, Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA); and Tim Middleton, Executive Director, ATS (Association of Trust Schools) in Zimbabwe Room 1C 2C: Teacher pay- your largest stand alone cost- how to reward and incentivise staff through pay structures which reflect your vision. Rhiannon Cutler, Founder, Baines Cutler Room 1A 2D: Leading with Insight: Understanding Personality to Build High-Performing Teams. Clare Barnett, Managing Director and Founder of Synergia Coaching Room 3B 2E: Strategic Opportunities for HMC Schools: Restructuring, Mergers and Collaborations. Barney Northover, Partner, VWV and Siân Champkin, Partner, VWV Room 2C 2F: Game On or Game Over? Supporting Adolescent Digital Wellbeing in a Connected World. Arabella Northey, Head of Partnerships and Communications, SEQRD Technology Room 1B 2G: One in four parents will first discover your school via social media; the power of marketing in 2025. Oliver Smith, CEO, Admissions, Marketing and Communications in Independent Schools (AMCIS) and Victoria Deadman Gatt, Group Director of Marketing, Admissions and Engagement at the Royal Russell School Room 3A 2H: AI, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy: A Risk Management Workshop for Independent School Leaders. Mark Orchison, CEO, 9ine Room 2A 2I: Flourishing Together: A collective vision for the education system. Andy Spens, Head of Professional Learning, National Society for Education, and Dr Joe Spence, CEO, School Partnerships Alliance Room 3A 2J: FED & the National Education Assembly – putting collaboration at the heart of our education system. Dr Carl Ward, Founder and Chair, FED. Room 2A International Convention Centre Wales (ICCW)
17.30 - 18.30	Fringe Activities available within the Exhibition
19.00 – 19.30	Drinks reception Speaker: Dominic Kalantary, Managing Director, Vectare Caernarfon Suite, Celtic Manor Resort Kindly sponsored by Vectare
19.30 - 22.00	HMC Autumn Conference Dinner Caernarfon Suite, Celtic Manor Resort

Wednesday 1 October 2025

Time	Event
07.00 - 08.45	Breakfast
08.15 - 09.40	Roundtables Coffee and breakfast pots will be available. Roundtable 1: 08.15 – 08.40 Roundtable 2: 08.45 – 09.10 Roundtable 3: 09.15 – 09.40 Main Hall, ICCW
09.40 - 09.45	Move to auditorium
09.45 - 09.55	Welcome to day three Speaker: Lisa Kerr, Principal, George Watson’s College Auditorium, ICCW
09.55 - 10.45	Keynote 4: Leading with Learning in Mind: Putting the “Education” in Educational Leadership. Speaker: Jim Heal, Professor of Evidence-Informed Educational Leadership at the Academica University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam & Co-Founder of Learning Science Partners Auditorium, ICCW Kindly sponsored by Cambridge University Press & Assessment
10.45-11.15	Refreshments and Networking Served among the exhibitors Main Hall, ICCW
11.15-11.30	AGM Registration All members must register upon entry to the Auditorium
11.30 - 12.30	Members' only session: AGM Auditorium, ICCW
12.30 - 13.10	Keynote 5: The heat of the moment: a firefighter’s story of life and death decisions Speaker: Sabrina Cohen-Hatton Auditorium, ICCW Kindly sponsored by Moore Barlow
13.10 - 13.15	Closing Remarks Speaker: Philip Britton MBE, Head of Foundation, Bolton School, and Chair of HMC 2025-26 Auditorium, ICCW
13.15-14.30	Lunch and final catch ups Served among the exhibitors Main Hall, ICCW

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Conference Programme | HMC Autumn Conference 2025

Monday 29 September 2025

Tuesday 30 September 2025

Wednesday 1 October 2025