FAQs

HE Transformation 2026 is a leadership conference for UK higher education leaders and professionals responsible for transformation, strategy, delivery and institution-wide change. It focuses on the decisions needed to build financially resilient, efficient and future-fit universities.

The event takes place on 22 October 2026 at the QEII Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3EE.

The event is designed for higher education leaders, decision-makers and professionals with responsibility for shaping, supporting or delivering transformation and change across their institution.

It brings together people working across strategy, finance, operations, digital, people, estates, academic delivery, student experience, service redesign and institutional growth, creating a joined-up forum for the priorities shaping future-fit universities.

HE Transformation 2026 is a conference-led event with a networking-led exhibition. The format includes main plenary sessions, breakout discussions, curated partner engagement, lunch, networking breaks and an end-of-day drinks reception.

The format is designed to support practical learning, strategic discussion and meaningful conversations.

HE Transformation 2026 explores the priorities shaping the next generation of universities, from leadership and operating models through to digital, people, services, academic delivery and growth.

• Strategy and leadership: How universities set direction, align senior teams and make the choices needed for ambitious transformation.
• Operating model redesign: What joined-up service delivery, standardisation, process improvement and new ways of working look like in practice.
• Digital, data and systems: How technology, data and enterprise systems can support better decisions, more efficient services and future-fit delivery.
• People and capability: The leadership, culture, workforce and organisational capability required to deliver sustainable transformation.
• Operations, estates and infrastructure: How operational delivery, campuses, facilities and infrastructure support the university of the future.
• Academic strategy, positioning and growth: How portfolio, educational delivery, student experience and institutional positioning evolve in future-fit universities.

HE Transformation 2026 is an invitation or application-only event. On top of this, there is a limited number of tickets available for the HE sector and private sector for automatic entry.

This approach helps maintain the relevance and seniority of the audience while still allowing wider higher education professionals and relevant private sector attendees to secure confirmed access.

The application process supports audience quality and seniority by ensuring complimentary Senior HE Passes are allocated to higher education leaders with responsibility for transformation, strategy, delivery or institution-wide change.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, you can still apply and the team will review your application.

Yes. A limited number of HE Sector Passes are available for higher education attendees who would like confirmed access to the event without completing an application process.

Tickets are released in waves based on event capacity, with pricing currently from £150 + VAT until 15 June, then £195 + VAT from 15 June 2026, and £245 + VAT from 6 July 2026.

Yes. The event is designed to support cross-functional attendance from institutions, with colleagues joining from transformation, strategy, finance, digital, people, operations, estates, academic delivery and service redesign.

Yes. If a colleague would benefit from attending, they can be referred through the website or directed to the application page.

Refer a colleague: https://www.hetransformation.co.uk/refer-colleague

HE Transformation 2026 has three main access routes:

• Senior HE Pass: Complimentary, application-only access for senior higher education leaders with responsibility for transformation, strategy, delivery or institution-wide change.
• HE Sector Pass: Paid automatic entry for higher education attendees who would like confirmed access without completing an application process.
• Private Sector Pass: Limited paid access for private sector attendees who would like to engage with the higher education transformation community.

You can apply online through the Apply Now page. Complimentary passes are available on acceptance of application, and the team will provide an update on whether your application has been successful.

Apply here: https://www.hetransformation.co.uk/apply-now

The HE Sector Pass is for higher education attendees who would like confirmed access to the event without completing an application process.

The current ticket rate is £150 + VAT until 15 June. The second release is £195 + VAT from 15 June 2026, and the final release is £245 + VAT from 6 July 2026.

The Private Sector Pass is for private sector attendees who would like to access the event and engage with the higher education transformation community.

Private sector attendance is limited to maintain the HE-led focus of the event. The Private Sector Pass is £1,495 + VAT.

Contact the team if you have any queries about tickets, pass types or securing a group registration for HE Transformation 2026.

Email: enquiries@hetransformation.co.uk

The programme includes main plenary sessions, keynote contributions, senior panels, interactive breakout sessions and protected networking time. Content is designed around practical strategic value, peer exchange and real transformation challenges.

Yes. The event includes four interactive breakout spaces, giving delegates the opportunity to explore specific transformation priorities in greater depth.

Sessions will focus on future-fit universities, including strategy and leadership, operating model redesign, digital and data-enabled transformation, people and capability, operations and estates, academic strategy, positioning and growth.

The agenda will be updated on the website as speakers, sessions and contributors are confirmed. Delegates should check the agenda page regularly for the latest updates.

View the agenda: https://www.hetransformation.co.uk/agenda

The agenda includes protected networking time across the day, including breakfast, lunch, breaks and an end-of-day drinks reception. The exhibition space is designed as a central hub for meetings and discussion.

Yes. Details will be released one month ahead of the event. The event app will allow attendees to make meetings, build connections and plan relevant conversations before arriving on site.

Yes. Attendees will be able to arrange meetings through the event app once access has been released.

Yes. Lunch is included for all attendees and will be served in the networking and exhibition hub.

Yes. The day will conclude with an informal drinks reception from 4:35pm to 5:40pm, creating space for continued discussion, relationship building and reflection after the conference programme.

Yes. HE Transformation 2026 includes a curated group of solution providers aligned to the transformation priorities of university leaders and change teams. Opportunities include exhibition stands, seminar partnerships, strategic sponsorship packages, branding and networking sponsorships.

The event is relevant for organisations supporting enterprise and operational transformation, digital and data change, finance, consulting, workforce redesign, estates, service delivery, governance, transformation delivery, AI, enterprise systems and long-term institutional improvement.

Supplier participation is deliberately limited and curated. This protects delegate experience, increases supplier visibility and supports more meaningful strategic conversations.

The event is best suited to organisations that can engage higher education leaders in credible, consultative and strategic conversations. It is particularly relevant for partners supporting long-term transformation, institutional change, service redesign and future-fit delivery.

To discuss sponsorship, exhibition or partnership opportunities, contact the team through the website or email enquiries@hetransformation.co.uk.

The QEII Centre is located at Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3EE, close to Parliament Square, Westminster Abbey and St James’s Park.

Open Google Maps: View the venue location

Doors open from 8:20am for registration, breakfast and access to the exhibition and networking hub. The main conference begins from 9:30am.

The QEII Centre is well connected by Underground, rail, bus and major London airport routes. Delegates are encouraged to plan journeys in advance and allow extra time for central London travel.

By Tube:

• St James’s Park — 4 minutes’ walk
• Westminster — 6 minutes’ walk
• Victoria — 14 minutes’ walk

By Train:

• Charing Cross — 12 minutes’ walk
• Victoria — 14 minutes’ walk
• Waterloo — 18 minutes’ walk

By Bus or Coach: Bus routes stopping close to Parliament Square include 11, 24, 53, 77 and 88. Parliament Square is around a 3-minute walk from the venue.

By Car: Parking in Westminster is limited. Van and car parking is available at Q-Park Victoria, approximately an 8-minute walk from the Centre. Public transport is recommended where possible.

By Bike or On Foot: There are several Santander Cycles docking stations close to the venue, including Storey’s Gate opposite the side of the QEII Centre and Abbey Orchard Street.

By Plane: Approximate travel times are London City 26 minutes, Gatwick 44 minutes, Heathrow 47 minutes and Luton 47 minutes.

Yes. Confirmed delegates will receive joining instructions two weeks before the event, including arrival information, agenda timings, venue guidance and app or networking instructions.

There are a number of hotels located close to the QEII Centre and across Westminster, Victoria and St James’s. We recommend booking accommodation early, particularly for delegates travelling from outside London.

Staying nearby will make it easier to arrive on time, make the most of networking opportunities and attend the full day, including the closing drinks reception.

View nearby hotels: Find accommodation near the QEII Centre

Accessibility is important to us, and we want every delegate, speaker, sponsor and guest to have a positive experience at HE Transformation 2026. The QEII Centre provides accessible facilities and support for visitors.

Blue Badge holders may be permitted to park on the QEII Centre forecourt free of charge, subject to availability. Please call ahead on +44 20 7798 4000 to enquire. Disabled passengers arriving by taxi or alternative vehicle may disembark on the forecourt.

The nearest Blue Badge disabled parking bay is located on Matthew Parker Street, with additional bays on Tothill Street and Old Queen Street.

If you have not let us know already, please email the team and we will ensure you are catered for.

Email: enquiries@hetransformation.co.uk

Please contact enquiries@hetransformation.co.uk with any access, dietary, registration or attendance queries.

Yes. If your details change after registration, contact the event team with the updated information so your delegate record can be amended.

For invoice or payment queries, contact creditcontrol@govnet.co.uk. For general event queries, contact enquiries@hetransformation.co.uk.