Schedule in detail

Part 1 - Arrival

0830 – 0945 - Breakfast roundtables
Partner hosted, invite-only

0930 – 1000 - Arrivals and refreshments

1000 – 1005 - Welcome to The Venn
University Leaders Forum Co-Chairs

Part 2 - Inspire and Inform

1005 – 1045 - As others see us
Rt. Hon Greg Clark, Former Secretary of State and Executive Chair, Warwick Innovation District, The University of Warwick Innovation District
Jonathan Ashworth, Chief Executive, Labour Together

1045 - 11.15 - Brand and reputation in a geopolitically turbulent world
Chaired by: Rachel Sandison OBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor - External Engagement and Vice Principal - External Relations, University of Glasgow

11.15 - 12.05 - From across the Pond… lessons from North American Government relations
With Government Relations colleagues from Ivy League and U15 universities in North America
Andrea Farquhar Chief executive, Internal and External Engagement 2023-2025, McMaster University (Canada)

(NB: US Speakers may not be announced)

Part 3 - Interact

1205 – 1315 - Lunch and Green Room Partner discussions
Green Room Partners to host lunchtime discussions on topics, through a combination of by-invitation and walk-up

Part 4 - Respond

1315 – 1430 - Universities and geopolitics: table-top scenario response sessions
Developed in partnership with the UK Government and other sector partners.

Fran Davies, Head of Global Science, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Georgina Ayre, Deputy Director for Global Research and Innovation, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
S&T Network Officers/ FCDO Desk Officers, Names/ areas tbc
Jamie Arrowsmith, Director, Universities UK International
Ian Wiggins, Director of International Affairs, Royal Society
Ben Moore, Head of Policy (International), Russell Group
Chaired by: Alex Favier, Founder and Director/ Global Campaign Director, Favier Ltd/ Invest in UK University R&D - Midlands Campaign

Session partners:

1430– 1500 - Refreshments

Part 5 - Solve

1500 - 1600 - Practical solutions to thorny problems

Unconference-style session that will see delegates pick a ‘thorny problem’ facing the sector and work together to workshop a series of practical solutions to each of them. The challenges will be available to delegates to ‘up-vote’ in advance of the Leaders Forum and each will be ‘sponsored’ and facilitated by members of our Advisory Circle and special guests.

Professor Rachel Mills, Senior Vice President (Academic), King's College London
Rajay Naik, Chief Executive Officer, Skilled Education

Part 6 - Reflect

1600 – 1655 - “From the VC’s desk…” Roundtable discussions based on real challenges set by UK university Vice-Chancellors

Professor Wendy Larner, President and Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff University
Professor Julie Sanders, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Royal Holloway, University of London
Professor Jane Norman, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Nottingham
Professor Tim Dunne, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Surrey
Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of York
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow
Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Sussex
Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of St Andrews
Professor Helen Laville, Incoming Vice-Chancellor, Oxford Brookes University and Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Kingston University

1655 - 1700 - Thanks and concluding remarks
University Leaders Forum Co-Chairs

Part 7 - Relax

1730 - 2030 - The Venn Garden Party*

Stirling Square Garden, Prince Philip House (Home of the Royal Academy of Engineering), 3 Carlton House Terrace

*with a wet weather contingency

2000 – late - Partner dinners
Optional dinners hosted by partners, invite-only

Find out more about our speakers.