Celebrate sector excellence and channel the power of professional services to boost UK Growth
Professional Services Growth Conference 2026
Programme
08:00 – 09:00
Registration and Networking Breakfast
Morning Theme: Competing in a World of External Investment
External investment is reshaping the professional services landscape. Leadership teams must assess whether their firms can remain competitive without external capital to fund innovation, technology, and expansion.
09:00 – 09:15
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Chair: Sir Nigel Knowles
09:15 – 09:45
Keynote Address
The barbarians are already inside – and doing quite well
Speaker: Jeff Zindani
09:45 – 10:30
Investor Insight Panel
Meet leading external investors and intermediaries.
Panelists: Representatives from Inflexion and Stifel
Moderator: Julia Hayhoe
10:30 – 10:50
Refreshment Break & Networking
10:50 – 11:35
Panel 1 – Preparing for Change
Focus: Building readiness across the firm for external investment and transformation.
Speakers: Leaders from Grant Thornton, Murgatroyd, Higgs, and Within International
Moderator: Sir Nigel Knowles
11:35 – 12:20
Panel 2 – Acquiring Firms, Teams & Talent
Focus: Effective strategies for growth through acquisition and strategic recruitment.
Speakers: Leaders from Adeptio, Colliers, and Azets
Moderator: Neville Eisenberg
12:20 – 13:00
Panel 3 – Empowering Professional Managers
Focus: Systems and governance enabling managers to deliver sustainable value for internal and external stakeholders.
Speakers: Leaders from Norton Rose, Saffery, and Knight Frank
Moderator: Sonam Verma
13:00 – 14:00
Networking Lunch
Afternoon Theme: Business Development for Sustainable Growth
Business development (BD) drives long-term value through new opportunities, strategic relationships, and market expansion. Confidence, collaboration, and structured sales pipelines underpin success.
14:00 – 14:10
Afternoon Introduction
Chair: Julia Hayhoe
14:10 – 14:40
Keynote Address
Building confidence and client-handling skills in the hybrid era
Case studies can build engagement with delegates, foster critical thinking, and encourage outsideof-the-box ideas. The panel is chaired by Ruxandra Radulescu:
Speaker: Nigel Spencer
14:40 – 15:25
Panel 4 – Building a BD Culture
Focus: Origination, pipeline management, and commercial training as enablers of collective BD performance.
Speakers: Leaders from Linar Consulting, Enfuse, and Get Serious
Moderator: Ben Kent
15:25 – 15:45
Refreshment Break
15:45 – 16:30
Panel 5 – Collaboration & Profitability
Focus: Strengthening collaboration between client-facing advisors and internal experts to boost profitability.
Speakers: Leaders from Weightmans, Matrix Chambers, and Cundall
Moderator: Richard Chaplin
16:30 – 16:45
Closing Remarks & Next Steps
Summary of key insights and opportunities for collaboration.