On Wednesday 18 November, we return to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP London) for the UK's only annual conference dedicated to independent higher education providers.
With thanks to our Conference Partner and Conference Sponsor
What to expect
Join us for a full day of insight, discussion and collaboration as we explore the key challenges and opportunities facing the independent higher education sector today. Our conference programme brings together leading voices from across the sector, featuring keynote addresses, panel discussions and practical breakout sessions focused on current developments in higher education policy and regulation and what they mean in practice for independent providers.
You'll leave with:
- expert insights from sector leaders
- a clearer understanding of the implications of evolving policy and the regulatory landscape
- ideas you can apply within your own organisation
- new connections with peers, decision-makers, and exhibitors
There will also be plenty of time for networking with colleagues throughout the day.
In the evening, we celebrate excellence and innovation across our membership at the IHE Awards 2026 ceremony. The ceremony is included in your ticket price.
Further programme details will be announced in the coming months. In the meantime, you can revisit highlights from last year.
Timings
This in an all-day event followed by an evening drinks reception and the IHE Awards 2026, included in the price of your ticket.
Booking information
This event is open to anyone to attend, with bookings made via TicketTailor.
Early bird rates | 1 May-31 July
IHE Members and Launchpad subscribers: £315+VAT (group discount available)
(Standard pricing from 1 August: £400+VAT)
Non-members: £400+VAT
(Standard pricing from 1 August: £450+VAT)
Watch 2025 highlights
What did last year's delegates say?
“I’ve worked around the independent sector for years, but days like this sharpen your understanding of the challenges - and the opportunities. Independent Higher Education is well-placed to lead on skills, innovation and lifelong learning - if the system lets it.”
“I had a brilliant afternoon at the Independent Higher Education conference. Learning from some of the sector's brightest brains, collaborating on new ideas.”
“A valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the sector and reflect on the evolving landscape of higher education. The day was also a fantastic chance to network with informed and forward-thinking peers, sharing perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead for our institutions and the students we serve. A huge thank you to IHE for bringing the sector together for such an energising and thought-provoking event.”
Meet our exhibitors
TechnologyOne | Conference Partner
TechnologyOne is a global Software as a Service (SaaS) provider delivering enterprise solutions that simplify and transform operations. With offices across six countries, our deeply integrated SaaS platform supports over 1,300 organisations worldwide.
Our solution provides deep functionality for the markets we serve, including local government and higher education in the UK. We leverage our unique domain experience and our unwavering commitment to the industries we serve by taking complete responsibility to deliver outcomes with our best-in-class SaaS ERP. With SaaS Plus, TechnologyOne takes full responsibility for the complete outcome of the solution experience, not just the software.
technology1.co.uk
@TechnologyOne
Jisc | Conference Sponsor
Founded for the research and education community, Jisc is a non-profit that has spent 30 years serving and championing the education sector. As the UK’s digital, data and technology agency, our services have been designed to serve the needs of education, with tight budgets, sensitive data and a duty of care. Via Jisc, IHE members can now benefit from affordable connectivity and advanced cyber solutions through our Janet Network. We also support providers with digital skills and data maturity, and you can enjoy cost savings via our framework agreements. Additionally, we foster thriving communities, such as our cyber community of over 2,000 members, sharing threat intelligence and insights.
Alkhemy Group Ltd
Alkhemy is a social impact company dedicated to supporting organisations that represent and engage students and young people. We champion authentic student voice and place accessibility at the heart of everything we do. Alongside our consultancy and development work, we provide high-quality, independent student advice services, ensuring students can access impartial, expert support when they need it most. With deep experience across education and the charity sector, we bring both credibility and a respectfully disruptive approach to challenging and improving existing practices
Bevan Brittan LLP
Bevan Brittan is an award-winning UK top 100 national law firm. We have an exceptional team of 40+ specialist higher education lawyers. Many of our team have joined from in-house positions, enabling us to provide well informed, pragmatic legal solutions and value for money. We work with independent Higher Education Institutions, universities and colleges, providing a full range of legal services, including: education law (including public law, student disciplinary and academic misconduct processes) student welfare and complaints, corporate (including M&A, joint ventures and partnerships), commercial, employment, immigration and pensions, litigation, regulatory, IT and data protection/information law (including AI) and procurement and subsidy advice.
bevanbrittan.com
@BevanBrittanLLP
GatenbySanderson
GatenbySanderson is the UK’s leading people advisory firm across public services, not for profit and education. We work within complex, challenging and highly scrutinised environments to deliver executive search, interim, leadership development and consultancy.
gatenbysanderson.com
@GatenbySanderson
Pinsent Masons
We help businesses move fast, adapt and seize opportunity. Legal expertise is our foundation, but today’s world demands more, insight, innovation and agility. We challenge convention, rethink processes and invest in technology to create smarter services and solutions. With deep multisector knowledge and global reach, we deliver practical, outcome‑focused advice clients trust. Operating as one connected international business, collaboration drives everything we do, enabling better conversations and exceptional results. With 4,000+ people, 2,200 lawyers and 30 locations across four continents, we combine global capability with local insight to shape change, not just respond to it.
pinsentmasons.com
@PinsentMasons
TimeEdit
TimeEdit (formerly Simac IDS) partners with UK higher education institutions to strengthen student engagement, support and continuation throughout a student's journey. Our Presto solution helps universities build meaningful connections with students, encourage active participation and identify those who may need additional support at an early stage. Alongside our engagement platforms, PrestoChippo offers an innovative, contactless way for students to check-in for teaching sessions. Whether on or off campus, PrestoChippo makes attendance simple while supporting a positive and inclusive experience. Trusted by higher education providers across the UK, TimeEdit combines sector insight with practical technology to help students stay engaged, supported and on track to succeed.
Tribal Group
Tribal Group plc is a pioneering world-leader of education software and services. Its portfolio includes Student Information Systems and app technology; a broad range of education services covering quality assurance, peer review, benchmarking and improvement; and student surveys. We work with higher education, further and tertiary education, schools, Government and state bodies, training providers and employers, in over 55 countries. Tribal Group’s mission is to empower the world of education with products and services that underpin student success.
VWV
At VWV, through our expert team of lawyers and the partnerships we build, we put our clients at the forefront. Providing connected teams which are invested in client success; providing fresh perspectives to complex challenges- enabling our clients to make clear and confident decisions. We believe the way that we interact and work together enables us to build an even more warm and genuine and lasting relationships with our clients. We are not just responding to today’s legal challenges. We are anticipating tomorrow’s needs. And that is what makes us different.
IHE Consultancy
Experienced. Trusted. Expert. IHE Consultants are hand-picked for their deep understanding of the independent higher education sector and their proven ability to deliver project-based support, offering tailored solutions that meet your unique needs.