Conference Programme
28 September 2026 - 30 September 2026
Manchester Central
Welcome to the HMC Autumn Conference Programme 2026, ‘Leading learning beyond borders’. See the full HMC Autumn Conference 2026 programme below:
Sunday 27 September 2026
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 09.00 - 15.30 |
International Day
Manchester Central
|
| 15.00 |
Fringe activities available
|
Monday 28 September 2026
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 09.00 |
Registration Opens
Exchange Foyer, Manchester Central
|
| 09.00 - 11.00 |
Networking and refreshments available throughout the morning in the Conference Hub
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 09.00 - 11.00 |
Opportunity for School visits
|
| 09.00 - 10.00 |
Affiliate Member Meeting
Manchester Central
|
| 09.00 - 10.00 |
Boarding Schools' Meeting
Manchester Central
|
| 10.00 - 11.00 |
IBDP Schools Meeting
Manchester Central
|
| 10.00 - 11.00 |
Schools in Cathedral Closes Meeting
Manchester Central
|
| 11.00 -11.25 |
New members’ welcome
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 11.25 - 11.30 |
Move to the Auditorium for the start of conference proceedings
|
| 11.30 - 11.45 |
Conference Welcome
Speaker: Simon Hyde, CEO, HMC
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 11.45 - 12.15 |
Chair’s Opening Address
Speaker: Dr Anne Cotton, HMC Chair 2026-27 and Head, King’s College School Wimbledon
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 12.15 - 12.20 |
A word from our headline sponsor
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 12.20 - 13.10 |
Keynote 1:
Speaker: David Marquet
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 13.10 - 14.20 |
New Members' Lunch
Manchester Central
|
| 13.10 - 14.20 |
Lunch and Networking
Served among the exhibitors
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 14.25 - 15.10 |
Keynote 2: Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE and Dame Alison Peacock: in conversation
Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive, Chartered College of Teaching, will lead an in conversation with Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, CEO of Stemettes and Chair of the Institute for the Future of Work
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 15.10- 16.30 |
Networking and refreshments available throughout the Conference Hub
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 15.20 - 16.25 |
CEO/Principals' networking meeting
Manchester Central
|
| 16.35 - 17.20 |
Pioneering educational excellence : Celebrating research culture in HMC Schools
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 17.30 - 18.00 |
Dame Carol Ann Duffy: A recital
The Exchange, Manchester Central
|
| 17.30 - 20.00 |
Networking drinks and early evening supper
An opportunity to share an informal dining experience.
The Exchange, Manchester Central
|
| 20.00 |
Off site fringe activities
|
Tuesday 29 September 2026
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 07.00 - 08.45 |
Breakfast in conference hotel, Women in Leadership Breakfast and morning Fringe activities
|
| 08.30 |
Exhibition opens
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 09.00 - 10.15 |
Divisional Meetings
Manchester Central
|
| 10.15 - 10.20 |
Move to the Auditorium
|
| 10.20 - 10.30 |
Welcome to day two and a word from our Headline sponsor
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 10.30 - 11.20 |
Panel Session: Preparing our young people for the world of work
Chair: John Prideaux, US Editor, The Economist Panel Speakers:
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 11.30 - 12.15 |
Networking and refreshments
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 11.45 - 12.15 |
Roundtable Discussions
30-minute roundtable discussions designed to spark lively conversation between heads on topics that matter most to them. A valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, share learning, and explore practical approaches to the opportunities and challenges facing schools today.
The Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 12.20 - 13.10 |
CPD Seminars Session 1
Manchester Central
|
| 13.10 - 14.25 |
Lunch and Networking
Served among the exhibitors Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 14.25 - 15.10 |
Keynote 3: What should my children do? A human's guide to the age of AI
Speaker: Dr Daniel Susskind, Mercers’ School Memorial Professor of Business at Gresham College
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 15.10 - 15.15 |
Move between sessions
|
| 15.15 - 16.05 |
CPD Seminars Session 2
Manchester Central
|
| 16.05 - 16.55 |
Refreshments and networking
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 17.00 - 17.30 |
Keynote 4: The evolving landscape of higher education
Speaker: Dr Jo Saxton, CEO of UCAS Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 17.30 - 19.15 |
Fringe Activities available
|
| 19.15 - 19.45 |
Drinks reception
The Midland Hotel
|
| 19.45 - 22.00 |
HMC Autumn Conference Dinner
The Midland Hotel
|
Wednesday 30 September 2026
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 07.00 - 08.45 |
Breakfast in conference hotels
|
| 08.30 |
Exhibition Opens
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 08.45 - 09.15 |
Networking and refreshments
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 08.45 - 09.15 |
Roundtable discussions
30-minute roundtable discussions designed to spark lively conversation between heads on topics that matter most to them. A valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, share learning, and explore practical approaches to the opportunities and challenges facing schools today.
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 09.15 - 09.20 |
Move to auditorium
|
| 09.20 - 09.30 |
Welcome to day three and a word from our headline sponsor
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 09.30 - 10.15 |
Keynote 5: TBC
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 10.15 - 11.00 |
Keynote 6: Leading through challenge
Speaker: Joe Garner Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 11.00 - 11.30 |
Refreshments and Networking
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 11.30 - 11.45 |
AGM Registration
All members must register upon entry to the Auditorium |
| 11.45 - 12.45 |
Members' only session: AGM
Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 12.45 - 13.00 |
Closing Remarks
Speaker: Dr Anne Cotton, HMC Chair 2026-27 and Head, King’s College School, Wimbledon Auditorium, Manchester Central
|
| 13.00 - 14.30 |
Lunch and final catch ups
Exchange Hall, Manchester Central
|
| 14.30 -16.30 |
Optional Workshop: Global citizenship: Reimagining education for a more peaceful, more sustainable future
Facilitated by: Andrew Watson, CEO, Sustainability Education (SusEd) In partnership with Sustainability Education (SusEd), we are delighted to offer members a free-of-charge opportunity to attend a workshop on Reimagining education for a more peaceful, more sustainable future. You will be invited to explore how education may evolve beyond traditional boundaries – curricular, cultural, and institutional – if it is to become a force for peace, sustainability, and systems transformation.
Manchester Central
|