Applied Leadership Symposium 2026

Overview

Now in its second year this symposium will leverage insights from recent strategic developments and work, such as the AHE leadership survey, to provide a forum for higher education leaders to discuss innovative approaches. The symposium will explore new ways of working, strategies for doing more with less, and methods for thriving during periods of significant change. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with forward-thinking ideas, and challenges to existing operating models and gain evidence-based insights into effective leader practices that enhance institutional resilience and success.

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Event speakers

Binciya Salim

Founder and CEO of Wellington Education

Entrepreneurial education leader and ecosystem builder driving the future of AI-enabled learning and women’s leadership in the GCC. Founder of Wellington Education and creator of WEL.X, an AI-powered learning ecosystem offering 1,000+ globally accredited micro-credentials that bridge the gap between academia, employability, and enterprise upskilling. Recognised for designing innovative pathways that connect education with real-world problem-solving, and for championing women’s empowerment through education, leadership networks, and community collaboration.

Julia Marsh

Non-Executive Director - Institute of Directors

Julia is a senior higher education leader committed to building learning organisations that enable people to perform at their best and deliver lasting organisational change. With over 20 years of experience across leading institutions including London Business School, London School of Economics, and University of Chicago Booth School of Business, she combines strategic leadership with deep operational expertise, following an early career in consulting at PwC and EY.

Fiona Lennoxsmith

Head of Leadership, Governance & Management
,
Advance HE

Fiona Lennoxsmith is Head of Leadership, Governance & Management at Advance HE, where she leads a team of senior consultants to design and facilitate innovative leadership interventions, programmes and thought leadership for the Higher Education sector.

Professor Damien Page

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer
,
Buckinghamshire New University

Before joining Buckinghamshire New University in 2023, Damien held various roles in advertising and recruitment. He began his education career in Further Education as a Lecturer at Lewisham College, teaching English and communications before moving into leadership, where he oversaw a diverse range of courses from Access to entry-level construction and led e-learning innovations such as the Academy of e-Business.

Expert keynotes and panellists will join our senior consultants to share the latest thinking and enhancements in inclusive practice and belonging.

Programme

Applied Leadership Symposium Web Programme 2026

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Abstracts

Applied Leadership Symposium Abstracts 2026

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Who should attend?

Higher Education leaders, including deans, heads of departments, directors of professional services, and senior colleagues, are focused on strategic development and operational excellence in HE.

A digital badge award will recognise presenters at this event.

Event Mobi

At Advance HE our conferences and events are powered by a platform called Event Mobi. Event Mobi can be accessed via any web browser or an app two weeks prior to events, and provides great opportunities to interact with other delegates, presenters and speakers. You also have the ability to personalise your own event agenda and many more things prior to, and on the day of the event.

Key features of Event Mobi include:

Easily accessible: Via their app on the go, or on any web browser
Personalised schedule: Create your own itinerary based on your interests and preferences
Discussion board: Actively engage prior to and during the event with other attendees on key topics
Speaker profiles: Learn more about our amazing speakers and their sessions
Session abstracts: Find all the details on each session to support your agenda planning
Event map (in-person events only): Navigate the venue with ease using our interactive map
Networking opportunities: Connect with other attendees, arrange meet ups and build valuable relationships
Access resources: Any relevant supporting links and documents will be provided on the platform
Activity feed: The Activity Feed provides attendees with a fun and interactive social media-like experience within the event app, fostering open conversations and sharing of images and text in a secure environment.
Latest updates: Stay informed with real-time announcements and updates