Pride of Place Summit 2026: Building Thriving Places Together
Tue, 02 June @ 10:15 – 17:00
This is an in-person event
Audience
This event is invite only but please contact us if you are interested in attending. It is aimed at leaders and practitioners from business, local government, public sector bodies, and community and voluntary sector organisations
About This event
Business in the Community (BITC) invites you to the Pride of Place Summit 2026, a flagship event bringing together leaders from business, government, and the voluntary and community sector to shape the future of place-based collaboration.
This year’s theme, Building Thriving Places Through Long-Term Partnership, challenges short-term approaches and explores how patient investment and trusted collaboration can create lasting economic, social and environmental impact.
The Summit will feature a dynamic programme of keynote speeches, panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions designed to inspire action. Delegates will hear real-world examples of what works, gain practical insights, and explore how sustained partnerships can unlock opportunity, break down barriers and support inclusive growth. Breakout sessions include:
Economy and Skills
Explore topics such as how to create local skills pathways, support job readiness, and keep talent thriving in your place. Hear from experts, collaborate with peers, and develop actionable strategies and pathways to drive long-term prosperity.
Pride and Community
Investigate what makes a community truly proud and resilient. Learn from leaders, share ideas, and co-create approaches that strengthen connections, empower community-led initiatives, and future-proof communities.
Leadership and Partnership
Discover how leadership and philanthropy can drive real change through partnerships. Engage with experts, discuss challenges, and develop practical solutions for leading partnerships that make a lasting impact.
Featured speakers include:
- Dame Amanda Blanc, Group Chief Executive Officer, Aviva
- Jill Baker, Director of Communities, Lloyds Bank Foundation
- Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor for Business, Mayor of London and Chair of London & Partners,
- Tim Donovan, Journalist & Broadcaster, Former BBC London Political Editor and Trustee, Centre for London
- Cath Dovey, Co-Founder, Beacon
- Dr Sam van Elk, King’s College London
- Professor Sally Everett, Vice Dean, Education, Deputy Dean (interim), Professor of Business Education and Head of I-LEAD Centre for Innovation, Leadership, Education and Development, King’s Business School
- Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Steve Hughes, Group Chief Executive Officer, Coventry Building Society
- Kate Josephs CB, Chief Executive, Sheffield City Council
- John Nickson, Founder & Philanthropist, Our Common Good
- Sir Andrew Parmley, Former Lord Mayor of London for 2016–17
- Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader, LB Hounslow
- Fran Richley, Operations Manager, Eden Gate (VCSE Lead Newport)
- Rachel Rowney, CEO, Local Trust
- Ranvir Singh, Newsreader and Presenter, Good Morning Britain
- Nicola Thorp, Broadcaster & Campaigner
- Jess Wiles, Head of Projects (Bradford), Hubbub
Attendees will also benefit from high-value networking with senior decision-makers and practitioners working across sectors and places. You’ll leave with practical tools, fresh perspectives and renewed momentum to strengthen your local partnerships and accelerate impact where it matters most.
We are grateful for the support of BITC’s Pride of Place Programme Founding Partner, Aviva, and our Summit Expert Partner, Coventry Building Society, and Collaboration Partner, Muse.
Background
BITC’s Place Programme – supported by Aviva, Strategic Partner of the Business in the Community (BITC) Pride of Place programme – now supports19 places across the UK.
We bring leaders from business, the voluntary sector and the local council together in a place and work with them to build and deliver a vision for their future that serves everyone, with input from everyone.
We provide sustained resource, advice and support to motivate and empower local stakeholders so that each place can identify its own challenges and innovate its own solutions.
Refreshments
A light lunch will be served.
Booking and contact details and further information
- Contact the BITC Events Team with any further questions.
- Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.
Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community