IEP Summit 2026

PLEASE NOTE THE IEP SUMMIT DINNER IS NOW SOLD OUT. PLEASE EMAIL AMY.LUCAS@IEMPLOYABILITY.ORG TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST.

IEP SUMMIT 2026 - Headline Sponsor - City and Guilds

Date: Thursday 11 June 2026 | 10am - 5pm

Location: The Nash, 116 Pall Mall (IoD building), London, SW1Y 5ED

Lunch sponsored by The Digital College | 12:40pm - 1:40pm

Drinks Reception sponsored by Beam | 4pm - 5pm

Networking sessions sponsored by Iconi

Lanyards sponsored by Cognisoft

IEP SUMMIT NETWORKING DINNER 2026 – Headline Sponsor Get Set UK

Drinks Reception Sponsored by Elevate Employment Services

Date: Thursday 11 June 2026 | 6:30pm - 10:30pm

Location: The Carlton, 116 Pall Mall (IoD building), London, SW1Y 5ED

 Fellow of the Year 2026 sponsored by Fedcap

The IEP Summit 2026 - The Industry Event for Senior Employability Professionals

The 7th Annual IEP Summit will take place at the prestigious 116 Pall Mall, London (Institute of Directors), a venue renowned for its historic and cultural significance

Building on the success of the last six years, we are excited to host this year’s event in this wonderful venue and with a continuing headline sponsor, City & Guilds. The IEP Summit is the industry event for senior employability professionals, welcoming attendees from across all areas of the employability sector and from all over the world.

This exceptional gathering provides a unique platform for networking, discussion, and the sharing of good practice, bringing together senior leaders and key industry figures to shape the future of the profession. Designed to offer both challenging content and opportunities for collaboration, the Summit includes formal seminars and informal networking sessions, enabling attendees to engage in meaningful conversations and develop innovative strategies. We look forward to welcoming participants from the employability and skills sectors including local authorities, prime providers, supply chain partners, and other thought leaders and stakeholders from the international employability landscape as well as those sectors that align closely with us and contribute to employability practices, such as health, housing, and education.

The IEP Summit 2026 offers senior professionals the chance to connect, learn, and debate with peers, sharing insights and solutions to some of the biggest challenges and priorities facing the employability sector. By creating a robust and dynamic sector voice, we aim to enhance outcomes for practitioners and customers alike. Whether you are passionate about employability services, policy, or strategy—or the broader impact these have on society—this event is your opportunity to contribute, collaborate, and influence the direction of our sector.

Join us to share your expertise, forge new partnerships, and explore ‘what works’ in the ever-evolving landscape of employability.

Speakers 

Matthew Taylor CBE - Chair | Fair Work Agency

Matthew is one of the UK's leading voices on employment rights and labour market policy. He is best known for leading the landmark Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, which shaped subsequent UK labour market reforms including those being implemented through the Employment Rights Act.

His previous roles include Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation and the RSA, and Chief Adviser on Political Strategy to Prime Minister Tony Blair. 

Sarah O'Connor - Journalist and Associate Editor | Financial Times

Sarah returns to the IEP Summit stage by popular demand following her acclaimed appearance in 2023. Sarah writes a weekly column on work, technology, economics and society, and will be speaking fresh from the publication of her new book, We Are Not Machines: The Fight for the Future of Work, due out on 4 June 2026 – just one week before the Summit.

Nick Riddle - Area Director, Midlands, Yorkshire & the Humber - Department for Work and Pensions, Head of Place West Midlands

Nick joined the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in June 2018 as Group Director for the West Midlands. Since then, he has led the delivery of Working Age benefits and headed the National Employer and Partnership Team. He also played a key role in responding to the labour market challenges created by the Covid‑19 pandemic, serving as Delivery Director for Kickstart—the department’s flagship employment programme designed to tackle youth unemployment.

Before joining DWP, Nick was Head of Operational Delivery at Companies House. He has been Area Director for the Midlands, Yorkshire & the Humber since January 2022, and in 2024 he was appointed Head of Place for the West Midlands.

Ruth South - Global Talent Development and Learning Senior Manager | Costa Coffee

Ruth leads the Global Talent Development and Learning team at Costa Coffee, shaping learning experiences that build capability across global markets and driving talent programmes for apprentices, early career team members and senior leaders.

With over 11 years’ experience in L&D and apprenticeships, Ruth is a strong advocate for skills as a driver of opportunity and economic growth. She represents Retail and Hospitality across multiple skills boards and sector groups, championing the lifelong careers people can build in these industries and inspiring greater commitment to skills and development.

Alison Morris - Director of Policy | Skills Federation

Alison is Director of Policy at Skills Federation which is the membership organisation for sector skills bodies. She has over 25 years’ experience in both policy and delivery across the skills and employment sectors. Prior to the Skills Federation Alison was Director of Operations at the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) and was responsible for all delivery elements of ETF’s programmes. She was also previously Assistant Director at the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, working on a range of policy areas including careers guidance and employer engagement.

Itinerary

10.00 - 10:20am - Coffee, Pastries and Registration - Sponsored by Iconi

10:25 - 10:35am - Welcome from Scott Parkin FIEP | Group Chief Executive | IEP
Followed by Welcome from your IEP Summit 2026 Hosts - Brian Bell FIEP and Lou Doyle FIEP

10:35 - 11:25am - Seminar 1 - The Dangerous Myth of the AI “Tsunami” 
Keynote Speaker: Sarah O'Connor | Associate Editor | Financial Times

We are often told that a “wave” or “tsunami” of technological change about to sweep over us, leaving winners and losers in its wake. But these metaphors limit our sense of what is possible and who is responsible. This talk will present a different way to think about technology, work, and the future.

11:25 - 11:45am - Refreshments and Networking

11:45 - 12:40pm - Seminar 2 - Maximising the impact of the Fair Work Agency
Keynote Speaker: Matthew Taylor CBE | Chair | Fair Work Agency

The newly established Fair Work Agency is tasked with helping employers and workers to maximise compliance with key aspect of labour market regulation and with enforcement action against those who break the rules. Facing new threats and responsibilities, and with new powers, how can the FWA maximise its impact?

12:40 - 1:40pm - Lunch and Networking - Sponsored by The Digital College

1:40 - 2:35pm - Seminar 3 - Finding & Developing Talent: What Do Employers Want from the Employability Sector?
Keynote Speaker: Ruth South | Global Talent Development and Learning Senior Manager | Costa Coffee and Alison Morris | Director of Policy | Skilsl Federation

Employers are facing growing challenges in attracting, developing and retaining the right talent in a rapidly changing labour market. This seminar will explore what employers are really looking for from the employability sector, from workforce readiness and essential skills to stronger partnerships and long-term progression. How can employability professionals better support both employers and participants in creating sustainable employment outcomes?

2:35 - 2:55pm - Refreshments and Networking

2:55 - 3:50pm - Seminar 4 - Looking ahead: Jobcentre & Careers Operations Plans and Priorities

Nick Riddle, Jobcentre Operations Director for The Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber opens the panel with a forward look against the background of a fast moving policy and delivery scene. Our IEP panellists Liz Sewell FIEP and Ayden Sims FIEP will be well known to Fellow colleagues. After the opening remarks your Host, Brian Bell FIEP will moderate an 'Any Questions' style discussion engaging the IEP Summit audience.

3:50 - 4:00pm - Closing Panel and Reflections from IEP Chair | Pat Russell FIEP

4:00 - 5:00pm - Networking Drinks Reception  - Sponsored by Beam 

5:00pm - Daytime Summit ends

6.30 - 7.30pm - Pre-dinner drinks reception - Sponsored by Elevate Employment Services

7.30 - 10.30PM - IEP Summit 2026 Networking Dinner - Headline Sponsor Get Set UK

How to get to the IEP Summit 2026

Institute of Directors Building
116 Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5ED

116 Pall Mall is an accessible venue, please click here to read about accessibility at the venue.

Nearest London Underground Stations

5 minute walk: Charing Cross (Northern Line, Bakerloo Line) | Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo Line, Piccadilly Line)

10 - 15 minute walk: Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line) | Green Park (Piccadilly Line, Jubilee Line, Victoria Line) | Embankment (Bakerloo Line, Circle and District Lines, Northern Line)

Nearest Mainline Stations

5 minute walk: Charing Cross

25 - 30 minute walk - Waterloo and Victoria

The venue does not have parking onsite but nearby carparks can be found using the following applications.

JustPark, QPark, NCP and RingGo

If you require any special access arrangements please do not hesitate to contact amy.lucas@iemployability.org to discuss your needs.

NEW FOR 2026

Fair, Transparent Pricing – Book Early for the Best Value
This year, we’ve introduced a four-tier pricing model for both Day and Dinner tickets to ensure fairness and value for all attendees.

Tiered ticketing means the earlier you book, the better the price.

• Full-price Tier 4 tickets will be released in May 2026 — but earlier tiers give structured opportunities to save. (Full Price £350 Board Members and Fellows, £399 for Members, £499 Non-Members daytime tickets and £87 Board Members and Fellows, £99 for Members, £125 Non-Members for networking dinner tickets.)
• Discounted places are available across different groups including Fellows, Aspiring Fellows, Board Members, and self-funders.

Best-Ever Dinner Ticket Pricing - Our new tiered structure offers the most attractive dinner rates we've ever released, with limited seats available at each level. Booking early guarantees the best price and secures your seat at this flagship networking event.

Combined Tickets - Limited numbers of combined Day + Dinner tickets are available — this is the most cost-effective way to attend both parts of the Summit. Daytime and Dinner tickets can also be booked separately

Chosen ticket type sold out? Join the wait list to be contacted when tickets become available. Please specify chosen ticket type when joining.

Why We’ve Done This -
We’re committed to keeping the IEP Summit accessible while recognising its value:

• Time-based tiers ensure everyone has a fair and transparent chance to save.
• Displaying the full Tier 4 price anchors the value of earlier tiers — showing the real benefit of committing early.
• This structure allows the majority of delegates to benefit from lower-cost tickets.

Book early, save more, and secure your place at the employability event of the year.

IEP Summit tickets are non-refundable. Please email events@iemployability.org for any ticket queries or general enquiries.
*Programme and speakers subject to change.