Built for a sector-wide transformation moment
UK higher education is on the cusp of next-generation change, creating the conditions for universities to rethink how they operate, deliver and compete.
HE Transformation 2026 is a standalone conference at the QEII Centre, London, built around senior leadership dialogue, practical transformation thinking and high-quality engagement.
For suppliers, it provides access to a uniquely senior audience focused on the strategic decisions shaping next-generation universities.
Sponsors we work with
These are sponsors and partner organisations that work with us on HE Transformation, supporting senior higher education audiences through exhibition, sponsorship, thought leadership and strategic engagement.
Built around the right people
HE Transformation 2026 is designed to create a high-quality senior audience through an invitation-only and application-based model. Places are focused on seniority, role relevance and institutional responsibility, so suppliers are engaging with leaders who are directly involved in transformation decisions.
- Invitation-led access for senior university leadership teams and strategic decision-makers.
- Application-based attendance reviewed around role seniority, relevance and buying influence.
- A curated HE-only room designed for credible dialogue, peer exchange and decision-led conversations.
A conference-led format built for senior dialogue
New for 2026, HE Transformation is structured as a premium, HE-only leadership conference where content, meetings and discussion work together to support meaningful engagement between universities and carefully selected partners.
Conference-led environment
The programme anchors the day around strategic content, senior insight and practical discussion, giving suppliers a stronger context for relevant, outcome-led conversations.
Senior HE-only audience
The room is focused exclusively on higher education leaders and decision-makers, creating shared context and reducing the dilution that comes from mixed-sector attendance.
Meetings and dialogue
Dedicated networking time and a meeting-led exhibition environment support more strategic conversations, helping suppliers move beyond footfall into relationship-building.
Dedicated breakout spaces
Breakout sessions create room for deeper exploration of transformation priorities across digital, estates, finance, operations, workforce and service redesign.
Drinks reception
The end-of-day reception provides a relaxed setting to continue conversations, strengthen relationships and follow up on the day’s key discussions.
Focused partner environment
Supplier participation is deliberately curated, helping protect the delegate experience while increasing visibility and relevance for partners in the room.
Package types designed around supplier value
Packages are shaped to support different commercial objectives, from brand visibility and relationship-building through to thought leadership and senior strategic positioning.
Exhibition stands
A focused presence within the networking-led exhibition, ideal for suppliers who want a visible base for meetings, informal conversations and relationship-building with senior HE leaders throughout the day.
Breakout seminar partnerships
A content-led opportunity to align your organisation with a specific transformation priority, demonstrate expertise and support deeper discussion with an engaged audience around a relevant topic.
Main stage and strategic partnerships
A senior positioning option for organisations looking to associate their brand with the central leadership conversation and demonstrate credibility at the highest level of the event.
Roundtables and discussion-led formats
Designed for suppliers seeking a more intimate, dialogue-led environment where senior leaders can explore opportunities, priorities and solutions in a focused setting.
Networking and reception sponsorship
A brand-led opportunity to support the moments where relationships are built, including informal networking, peer exchange and end-of-day conversations.
Why sponsor HE Transformation 2026?
The event is designed around strategic engagement with the leadership teams actively reshaping institutional operations, investment priorities and long-term transformation programmes.
Engage directly with senior decision-makers who control major budgets
Engage with the leaders shaping institution-wide strategy. These are active buyers looking for partners to support digital transformation, operational redesign, campus optimisation and new models of student and staff experience. Every conversation is relevant, timely and commercially meaningful.
Accelerate your sales pipeline by meeting universities in urgent need
As universities enter a period of next-generation change and new investment thinking, HE Transformation brings the right teams together in one place, giving suppliers the chance to hold higher-value conversations, shorten lead times and qualify opportunities faster.
Position your brand as a strategic partner in sector transformation
Through seminars, sponsorship and curated client meetings, you can showcase expertise, influence institutional priorities and guide discussions on digital, estates, business and academic transformation. Become a recognised advisor in shaping the future of higher education.
Secure multi-year opportunities with transformation-ready clients
HE Transformation creates an environment designed to foster strategic, multi-year relationships. Engage in early-stage commercial conversations, explore framework agreements and connect with multiple institutions at once, helping turn high-value engagement into measurable commercial growth.
The moment for strategic partnerships
UK higher education is on the cusp of next-generation change. Now is the time for new ideas, ambitious solutions and transformative investment that helps universities rethink how they operate, deliver and compete.
HE Transformation 2026 places suppliers directly in front of senior decision-makers during a period of sector-wide transformation, giving partners the chance to build trust, demonstrate credibility and develop relationships around real institutional priorities.
Who will you meet?
HE Transformation 2026 brings together the senior personas shaping whole-institution change, investment priorities and the operating models that will define the next generation of UK universities.
Institutional Leadership
- Vice-Chancellors
- Deputy Vice-Chancellors
- Pro Vice-Chancellors
- COOs, Registrars and Chiefs of Staff
- Provosts and Presidents
Finance, Strategy & People Leadership
- CFOs and Directors of Finance
- Directors of Strategy and Planning
- Directors of Transformation and Change
- Portfolio Directors
- Directors of HR, People and OD
Digital, Data & Enterprise Systems Leadership
- CIOs
- Directors of Digital and IT
- Directors of Enterprise Systems
- Directors of Data and Analytics
- Directors of Technology
Operations, Estates & Corporate Services Leadership
- Directors of Estates
- Directors of Campus Services
- Directors of Corporate Services
- Directors of Operations
- Directors of Facilities and Infrastructure
Academic Leadership & Educational Strategy
- PVCs Education and PVCs Research
- Deans and Executive Deans
- Directors of Education
- Directors of Learning and Teaching
- Directors of Research and Innovation
Market Positioning, Student Experience & Growth
- Chief Marketing Officers
- Directors of Marketing and Recruitment
- Directors of Student Experience
- Directors of Communications and External Relations
- Directors of International, Employability and Portfolio
Make a lasting impact
Elevate your brand and connect face-to-face with new and existing clients. There are several ways to get involved, including exhibition stands, speaking packages and premium sponsorship packages.
Download the event brochure to explore packages, audience profile, content opportunities and the commercial value of partnering with HE Transformation 2026.
Start a conversation about sponsorship
Complete the form and a member of the HE Transformation team will come back to you about exhibition stands, speaking opportunities, thought leadership options and premium sponsorship packages.