Headline speakers announced

We are pleased to announce the first confirmed headline speakers for HE Transformation 2026.

Ministerial keynote speaker

The Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith of Malvern

Minister of State for Skills, Further and Higher Education

Department for Education

Baroness Jacqui Smith of Malvern joins HE Transformation 2026 for a ministerial keynote addressing the priorities shaping skills, further and higher education.

Confirmed speaker

Alistair Jarvis CBE

Chief Executive

Advance HE

Alistair Jarvis CBE joins the speaker line-up as a leading sector voice on leadership, governance, institutional capability, strategic transformation and the future direction of higher education.

Confirmed speaker

Sarah Knight

Director of Digital Leadership and Transformation

Jisc

Sarah Knight brings deep expertise in digital leadership, institutional transformation and how universities can build the capability required for next-generation change.

Confirmed speaker

Miriam Deakin

Director of Strategy, Insight and Member Engagement

Universities UK

Miriam Deakin joins HE Transformation 2026 to share insight from UUK’s transformation and efficiency programme, including progress since the original Taskforce.

More speaker announcements coming soon

Look out for the next wave of official speaker updates, including senior university leaders, sector experts and transformation voices from across UK higher education.

View full agenda