Events

Staying relevant: Meeting the expectations of customers and investors in a time of policy and technological changes

ALL PANELLISTS NOW CONFIRMED

A half-day conference for education industry leaders in association with Oriel Square.
Tuesday 20th October 2026.
13.00-17.45 plus networking reception 17.45-19.00 supported by Cairneagle.
@ Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, London.

Delegate rates and registration. THE BOOKING SYSTEM IS NOW LIVE.
Subscribers: £275 + VAT = £330	Book
Non-subscribers: £345 + VAT = £414	Book

Hear from education sector and industry experts on meeting the expectations of customers and investors in a time of policy and technological changes:

How can the education industry best support teaching and learning during the introduction of the Schools White Paper's reform proposals?
How is AI reshaping teaching and learning?
What do investors want from UK education companies?

Attend this event to:

Shape your strategic thinking on the commercial opportunities of policy reform for education companies.
Get insights into the impact that AI is having in the classroom and school office and how education companies are responding to the changing expectations of schools.
Understand how education reform and AI are reshaping the investment landscape.
Network with leaders across the industry, investment community and school leadership.

PROGRAMME

13.00 - 14.00 Registration and refreshments

14.00 - 14.15 Welcome and introduction – Ed Tranham, Editor, The Assignment Report.

14.15 – 15.15 Panel Session 1 – How can the education industry best support teaching and learning during the introduction of the White Paper's reform proposals?

Confirmed panellists:

Panel Chair: Caroline Doherty, Head of Public Affairs and EdCitizens, Ark.
Will Smith OBE, CEO, Greenshaw Learning Trust.

David Leatherbarrow, Group CEO, Outcomes First Group.
Anna Trethewey, Chief Strategy and Vocational Office, AQA Education.

The panel session will examine the commercial opportunities of policy reform for education companies. Key discussion topics:

Curriculum and assessment reform.
Inclusion and SEND reform.
Closing the attainment gap.
The continued shift towards a trust-led school system.
Teacher workforce expansion and professional development.
The evolving balance between mainstream schools, special schools and alternative provision.

15.15 – 16.15 Panel Session 2 – AI and the reshaping of teaching and learning

Confirmed panellists:

Panel Chair: Sam Derby, Strategy Director, Oriel Square.

Lauren Thorpe, Chief Transformation Officer, United Learning.

Scott Van der Linden, EVP Managing Director of Global Markets, Renaissance.
Sarbani Bose, Founder and CEO, Deesha.ai.

The panel session will examine the impact that AI is having in the classroom and school office and how education companies are responding to the changing expectations of schools. Key discussion topics:

What do schools and MATs plan to use AI for and where is adoption actually getting traction?
Where is AI making the difference in the classroom and support services?
What impact are Big Tech companies having on teaching and learning in UK schools and are they squeezing out incumbents and innovative start-ups?
Will start-ups have to focus on niches that are too small or too specific for Big Tech to care about?
AI is reshaping how student learn. But how do you deliver personalised instruction at scale, keeping students engaged and making learning accessible to everyone?

16.15 - 16.45 Refreshments

16.45 – 17.45 Session 3 – What do investors want from UK education companies?

Confirmed panellists:

Panel Chair: Ian Koxvold, Partner, Cairneagle.
Caroline Cheale, CEO, Supporting Education Group.
Tarquin Wethered, Managing Director, THI Investments.
James Weatherill, Co-founder and CEO, Arbor Education.

The panel session will focus on how education reform and AI are reshaping the investment landscape. Key discussion topics:

What makes an education company investable in 2026?
Which parts of the sector are attractive to investors and why?
How is consolidation changing the investment approach of both PE firms and trade aggregators?
How is AI influencing valuations and investment strategies?
What are the key elements of a successful fundraise in the current climate?
How can companies balance educational mission, investor expectations and sustainability.

17:45 - 19:00 Networking reception with canapés and drinks supported by Cairneagle.

Substitutions, cancellations and refund policy

Substitutions welcome at any time.

Written cancellations made four weeks before the seminar date will be subject to a full refund. Written cancellations made two weeks before the seminar date will be subject to a 50% + VAT refund per ticket. Cancellations made less than two weeks before the seminar data cannot be refunded. All cancellations must be made in writing.

We reserves the right to alter the programme without notice due to unforeseen circumstances. We also reserve the right in our absolute discretion and without further liability to cancel the programme in which case all monies will be refunded.

Meissa Limited (publishers of The Assignment Report) safeguard your data and we do not share your data with any third party. We will endeavour to keep you informed of our other events and products where appropriate.