All of the People, All of the Time: Anti-Racism in Leadership Conference 2026

09:30Registration and networking

10:00Welcome and introduction

• Leading with Purpose and Courage: Making all of the people matter, all of the time

  This opening session will set the ambition for the day, encouraging leaders to move beyond discussion and focus on consolidating progress while driving meaningful change. It will underline the leadership behaviours required to deliver consistent, system‑wide anti‑racist impact.

  Joan Saddler will welcome delegates, outline the purpose of the conference, and reflect on the role of leaders in embedding equity across the emerging health and care system — shaping organisational priorities, informing clinical strategies, and influencing everyday decision‑making.

  • Joan Saddler OBE

10:10Keynote address

• Thriving through uncertainty: Taking everyone with us

  Drawing on a lifetime of experience and very senior‑level insight, Lord Adebowale will share his leadership journey where he has succeeded in forging change, building trust and accountability. A leader who during periods of system transformation and uncertainty has created opportunity for others to flourish and contribute. We will hear practical approaches to navigating organisational change, engaging diverse teams, and sustaining momentum while keeping people at the centre. 

  • Lord Victor Adebowale

10:40Panel session

• System Leadership in Action: Collaborative commissioning for Anti‑Racist Transformation

  This panel examines how integrated care systems, NHS Trusts, local authorities, and community partners can align around anti‑racist commissioning and service design. Panelists will discuss real examples of partnership‑based solutions, explore the system conditions needed for sustained change, and reflect on lessons learned from collaborative anti‑racist leadership across the NHS. In a fast changing system, we will hear from leaders who will help us anticipate and think about the impact of the change in purpose and functions of the seven NHS Regions and the 26 Integrated Care Boards.

  • Lord Victor Adebowale

  • Professor Laura Serrant CBE

  • Peter Landstrom

  • Professor Habib Naqvi MBE

11:10Break

11:30Breakout sessions (choice of two)

• From Tension to Trust: Practical Strategies for Fostering Good Relations amid conflicting beliefs

  This practical session focuses on helping leaders confidently navigate sensitive issues such as conflicting religion & belief, identity‑based tensions, cultural misunderstandings, racism and antisemitism. Speakers will provide techniques for facilitating dialogue, de‑escalating conflict, and strengthening trust while maintaining organisational values. Participants will leave with insights that support workforce, communities, and system partnerships. This session will also examine the emergent health system’s role in delivery of the Public Sector Equality Duty.  Particularly the general duty which requires public authorities, in the exercise of their functions, to have due regard to the need to foster good relations between people who share and people who do not share a relevant protected characteristic.

  • Alexandra Ankrah

  • Edna Boampong

  • Will Smith

  • Ali Aslam

• Fuelling the Future: Unlocking Innovation for Equitable Workforce and Service Delivery

  A forward‑looking session exploring how innovation, funding streams, and cross‑sector collaboration can accelerate anti‑racist workforce and service transformation. Speakers will consider funding streams, the success of innovation networks, and activity of community partners. This session will showcase proven projects, highlight opportunities for attracting investment, and outline how equitable design can become embedded in future service models that deliver equity. 

  • Dr Andrew Campbell

12:25Lunch and networking

13:15Chief Executive Officer panel session

• Leadership that Delivers: Harnessing Anti‑Racism as a driver of excellence for all

  This chief executive officer panel brings together senior system leaders to discuss how anti‑racist approaches have shaped organisational performance, quality improvement, and culture. Panellists will share candid reflections from their leadership journeys, highlight tangible changes implemented within their organisations, and offer practical lessons for leaders working to advance equity.  

  • Lord Victor Adebowale

  • Peter Landstrom

  • Salman Desai

  • 'Foluke Ajayi

  • Ade Odunlade

  • Fiona Edwards

14:15Panel session

• Putting anti-racism practice at the heart of improvement: Tools and Stories that Inspire Change

  Designed and chaired by improvement specialists, this session explores how structured quality‑improvement methods can be aligned with anti‑racist practice. Enhancing service and improvement processes by drawing on anti-racism and involving and engaging people and patients in transformation. Delegates will hear from case studies illustrating how intentional improvement efforts can shift outcomes, behaviours, and organisational cultures.

  • Professor Jagtar Singh CBE

  • Shareen Pavaday

  • John James OBE

15:00Break

15:15Panel session

• Leadership Journeys & Resilience: Together we flourish

  In this reflective leadership conversation, Dame Donna Kinnair will interview senior leaders about their personal journeys, the challenges they have navigated within complex systems, and the resilience needed to lead with integrity. Delegates will receive insights into overcoming structural barriers and building leadership strength grounded in authenticity, purpose, and lived experience. 

  • Professor Dame Donna Kinnair

  • Safina Nadeem

  • Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE

  • Dame Professor Robina Shah

15:45Closing remarks

• From Conversation to Momentum: Who Are You Making Matter?

  We'll hear from Professor Dame Donna Kinnair and Richard Stubbs as they deliver closing remarks from today's conference.

  • Professor Dame Donna Kinnair

  • Richard Stubbs

16:00Networking