Programme

Tuesday May 5  

10:30 – 11:00     Registration and refreshments  

11:00 – 11:15     A new era  

  • Henry Price FTIOB, Conference Chair and Head, Oakham School  

11:15 – 12:15     The value of diversity in our schools

  • Ayo Sokale, Founder & CEO, Tessellated Future Technology  

12:15 – 12:45     The rationale and joy of boarding   

  • Sir Nicholas Coleridge CBE DL, Provost, Eton College  

12:45 – 13:45     Lunch and networking  

13:45 – 14:00     The connected school: why the future of boarding depends on clarity, community and confidence #HeadlineSponsor

  • Rob Eastment, Head of Marketing (EMEA), Veracross   

14:00 – 15:00     Shaping our futures: educating in a time of increasing complexity  

  • Naheed Bardai, Principal, UWC Atlantic 
  • Pupils from UWC Atlantic 

15:00 – 15:30     Refreshments and networking  

15:30 – 16:30      The new age of sexism: how the AI revolution is reinventing misogyny  

  • Laura Bates, Best-selling Author, Keynote Speaker and Founder of the Everyday Sexism Project

16:30 – 17:15     Leadership and governance on a global stage  

  • Robin Fletcher FTIOB, CEO, BSA Group  
  • Richard Harman, CEO, AGBIS  
  • Elizabeth Jones, Partner, Farrers 
  • Richard Stokes, CEO, Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA)  
  • David Walker FTIOB, Director, BSA 

18:45 – 19:30     Drinks reception sponsored by IGTM  

With performances from ‘Boarding Rocks’ Schools, supported by The Band Project:  

  • Bromsgrove School  
  • Felsted School   
  • Sidcot School  

19:30     Conference dinner sponsored by Moore Barlow, followed by BSA Supporting Excellence Awards 

  • Richard Harman, CEO, AGBIS  

 

Wednesday May 6  

07:00 – 08:00     Romeo and Jogliet 5km run (meet at hotel reception at 06:50)  

09:00 – 09:30     60 years of boarding and BSA: research, reflection, and the road ahead  

  • Gaelle Sullivan MTIOB, Director of Research, Inclusion and IELA 

09:30 – 10:30     The Big Bold Mindset and Be More Human  

  • Caspar Craven, Bestselling Author & Leadership Consultant  

10:30 – 11:00     Refreshments and networking  

11:00 – 11:45      Breakout sessions: 

    1.The Belonging Effect (Ballroom)

  • Hannah Wilson, Founder & Director, The Belonging Effect  

    2.Creating stronger foundations together (Charlecote)

  • Siân Champkin, Partner, VWV  
  • Neil Mahapatra, Chair, BSA Group  
  • Henry Price FTIOB, Head, Oakham School  
  • Julie Robinson, CEO, ISC  

    3.Managing staff absence (Harewood)

  • Ben Collingwood, Partner, Moore Barlow  
  • Joanna Lada-Walicki, Partner, Moore Barlow  

 11:45 – 12:00      Open to the world: how boarding schools are rethinking international student travel #HeadlineSponsor

  • Michael Barcroft, CTO, I-GTM  
  • Andrew Steven, School Liaison, I-GTM 
  • David Williams, CEO, I-GTM  

12:00 – 13:00      Lunch and networking  

13:00 – 13:45      Breakout sessions:  

     1.Gambling: identification, prevention and early intervention (Ballroom)

  • Nicola Jaques MBE, Community, Intervention, Engagement & Family Support, Beacon Counselling Trust & Chair, GambleAware Lived Experience Council

    2.From compliance to confidence: building the travel record that opens doors  (Packwood)

  • Michael Barcroft, CTO, I-GTM   
  • Andrew Steven, School Liaison, I-GTM  
  • David Williams, CEO, I-GTM  

    3.Recruiting boarders through your buildings: blending neuroscience with brand (Charlecote)

  • Dr Joanne Ladds, Associate Education Consultant, Noble + Eaton
  • Andrew Elias, Brand Ambassador, Noble + Eaton

    4.From firefighting to leading with impact: your team is busy, but are they truly leading? (Harewood)

  • Tracy-Anne Barker, Founder, The Managers Training Company  
  • Kirstin Miller, Business Manager, The Managers Training Company   

    5.From service to boarding (Blenheim)

  • Mark Mortimer, Director of Defence and Military Services, BSA Group   

14:00 – 14:45      Breakout sessions:  

    1.From dorm to dashboard: transforming boarding school operations (Packwood)

  • Sam Bennett-Driver, Account Executive, Veracross 

    2.AI leadership tools in the toolbox (Ballroom)

  • Heidi Reid, CEO, IDAT  

    3.School transport: an expensive headache or a strategic opportunity (Charlecote)

  • Dominic Kalantary, Founder, Vectare  
  • Alex Targett, Global Director Growth, Vectare  

    4.Getting the most from your BSA membership (Blenheim)

  • Robin Fletcher FTIOB, CEO, BSA Group  

    5.Child Student visas & UKVI compliance in 2026 (Harewood)

  • Kate Hollyer MTIOB, Partner, BSA Legal  

14:45 – 15:15      Refreshments and networking  

15:15 – 16:00      Key safeguarding and compliance trends  

  • Dale Wilkins FTIOB, Executive Director, Scotland/Wales & Accredited/Compliance, BSA Group 

16:00 – 16:15      Final remarks and close of conference  

 

Programme subject to change.