Balance The Board:

Accelerate Together

The Balance the Board Conference returned for its fifth year.

Highlights from 2026.

Register interest for 2027

Conference Sponsors

Accelerate Together 2026: Balance the Board’s

5th Annual Conference

Balance the Board’s fifth annual conference brought together over 130 leaders, sponsors, partners and changemakers to explore how we can accelerate progress towards more diverse, inclusive leadership. Hosted with the generous support of Goodwin Procter, Accelerate Together celebrated the power of collaboration, fresh perspectives and collective action.

At the heart of the conference was a powerful message: progress takes courage, and meaningful change happens when we act together. From sponsorship, mentoring and allyship to confidence, entrepreneurship and leadership, discussions challenged attendees to stay curious, have the difficult conversations, share power and open doors for others. Leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about having the courage to act despite uncertainty.

The challenge to every attendee was simple: speak to someone new, challenge an assumption, share your experience and take one action that helps someone else accelerate. Because progress is not something we wait for, it is something we create, together.

We hope to see you at the next Conference in 2027!

Conference Partners

Join us to help shape the leadership landscape of tomorrow - one that reflects the world we live in, and leads with purpose, authenticity and impact.

Each ticket includes entry to the conference and the drinks reception for one.

What attendees said

It truly was the best of your epic conferences yet! I couldn't stop taking notes and I was so happy and honoured to be able to share my thoughts on the importance of having tough conversations! Thank you to all Balance the Board and specially to the incredible Holly Addison.

Wonderful to be part of such an enriching day. So much learning, joy and connection in the room. Vulnerability and honesty, too. Thank you Holly Addison and the whole of the Balance the Board team. 

Thank you, Team Balance the Board for putting together such a galvanising event, and for creating space for meaningful moments. I think you helped catalyse inspiration for everyone who was there.

Great reminder from Holly Addison and the Balance the Board conference: pay it forward, lift others as you climb, and never stop learning - If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re probably in the wrong room. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you.

Designed for Board and C-level professionals, founders and advocates from across industries to challenge conventional thinking and champion inclusive leadership at the highest levels.

Nicola Bird is a British abstract artist creating original paintings that mark the things that matter.

For Balance the Board, Nicola has created six original works inspired by its values: Inclusion, Reciprocity, Courage, Curiosity, Connection and Impact. Each painting invites you to choose the value that matters most and keep it visible;  a reminder of how you want to show up, what you stand for and what you bring to your work and life.

The six originals will be available exclusively to delegates at the conference. 

The conference brings together subject matter experts and industry leaders seeking to learn how to accelerate action change in their organisations.

2026 Agenda & Speakers

  • Vivienne Artz OBE, CEO of the Women Business Leaders Review, will chair Making Sponsorship Work, examining how sponsorship can unlock leadership progression and board appointments. 

    This work is in collaboration with Professor Elena Doldor from Queen Mary University of London who will share insights from a new report which examines how leadership promotions work in practice and the role sponsorship plays in shaping who progresses.

    The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with industry leaders including:

    Sue Whalley, Chief People & Performance Officer from Associated British Foods. 

    Arun Batra OBE, Former Executive at Uber,  and Partner at EY

  • Kathryn Britten, Partner & Managing Director from AlixPartners, will share findings from the firm’s 2026 Disruption Index, drawing on insights from more than 3,000 global C-suite executives to explore Women Leaders in an AI Era and the distinctive perspectives women leaders bring to AI value creation. 

  • This session spotlights the ‘Conversations in Confidence’ series launched at the beginning of this year by Emma Woods, Chair of Ancient & Brave and NED of Great Portland Estates and Holly Addison, Founder of Balance the Board.  

    Together with some highlights from the series, Emma Woods will host a live discussion with two of our special guests from the series; Tamara Box, Business Leader, Chair & Non-Exec Director & founding member of 30% Club and Paula MacKenzie, CEO of Pizza Express, NED and Board Advisor 

    An honest conversation, practical insights and powerful lessons on confidence, resilience, and leadership.

  • Our panel discusses building a fairer route to leadership and how we turn inclusion from good intentions into everyday leadership action. 

    The panel will explore sponsorship, the invisible rules of progression, equitable access to career-defining opportunities, and the role every leader can play in building a stronger, more diverse pipeline to the boardroom. 

    Panel:

    Rachel Morris, Executive Coach & Partner, Motion Learning 

    Tove Okunniwa MBE, Group Partnerships Director, BBC 

    Aisling Kemp, Teampak Consulting/Newly Weds Foods, Founder & Strategic Advisor 

    Liz Dimmock, Founder & CEO, Moving Ahead

  • Mariana Saraceni, Founder & Chief Happiness Enabler from The Happiness Consultancy will explore the courageous conversations we often avoid at work: asking for what we need, challenging decisions, giving feedback, saying no, admitting when we don’t know, and raising uncomfortable issues. 

     Meaningful career and leadership shifts don’t always come from another strategy or development plan. They often come from having the conversation we’ve been avoiding. Mariana will connect this directly to the importance of women not only having a seat at the decision-making table but feeling able to use their voices once they’re there: asking questions, challenging assumptions, disagreeing respectfully and speaking up when it matters. 

  • Facilitated by Balance the Board Founder, Holly Addison; Lee Chambers, CEO of Male Allies UK and Ceri Moyers, Founder of The Circle Partnership will explore how active allyship can create stronger and more inclusive leadership teams

    Lee and Ceri will share recent research and explore what meaningful allyship looks like in practice. They will also share their experiences of how perspective, advocacy and everyday action can influence workplace culture and leadership.

  • Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn’t. Our panel chaired by Joy Burnford, Founder, Encompass Equality, discusses how leaders and boards create the conditions for potential to become leadership. This panel explores: Seeing, Developing, Nurturing and Harnessing. Answering the ultimate question - who should get the opportunities, sponsorship and access that create tomorrow’s leaders? 

    Panel:

    Melody Moore, Director, Liberare Consulting

    Katherine White, People & Cultural Director, Wyboston Lakes   

    Annemarie Durbin, Board Chair, Yorkshire Building Society 

  • Jeannette Linfoot will bring together mentors and mentees from the inaugural Rise to Board programme to share the realities, breakthroughs, and challenges of building a board career. 

    An insight into Balance the Board’s partnership with Jeannette Linfoot and Brave Bold Brilliant’s Rise Academy. Bringing together mentors and mentees from the inaugural leadership development programme to share reflections and breakthroughs on the journey to board leadership. 

    Panel:

    Professor Kerensa Jennings Chair/NED/Strategic Advisor and Katherine Russell, Independent Director 

    Sam Sherriff Chief People & Places Officer Allwyn Entertainment (Operator of The National Lottery) and Helen Evans-Morris, Lead Strategist Great State 

  • Going beyond the well-rehearsed debate about whether women and underrepresented founders are investable, this session will challenge whether the people, systems, and capital allocators around them have genuinely created accessible routes for them to grow. 

    The panel co-hosted by Ronan Dunne and Aine Kerr will explore what needs to change across the startup ecosystem: from access to networks, mentors, and early-stage capital, to investor expectations, funding pathways and the structures that determine who gets seen, backed and scaled. 

    Panel: 

    Rob Pierre Investor & Advisor (Co-founder and former CEO of Jellyfish) 

    Caroline Diehl MBE Founder & CEO of Social Founders  

    Isabel Knight Founder Fearless Female Investor 

Register interest for 2027

LONDON

THE ‘ACCELERATE TOGETHER’ CONFERENCE

Register interest for 2027

Each ticket includes entry to the Conference and the Drinks Reception for one.

Why attend

This isn't just another conference. It's a room of 100+ leaders and over 30 speakers sharing practical ways to build inclusive leadership teams and future-ready organisations.

  • This dynamic, cross-sector gathering explores how equity, innovation and diverse thinking can shape the future of executive leadership.

  • Through thought-provoking panels, inspiring keynotes, and interactive sessions, attendees will gain fresh insights, share real-world strategies, and build meaningful connections with those driving change across the UK.

  • Brilliant chairs and panellists will highlight the progress that has been made, as well as introducing new perspectives and sharing learnings from different sectors.

  • Our objective is to ignite your imagination and showcase the art of the possible in your organisation. You will walk away armed with practical tips and inspired by true change makers.

What past attendees say

  • "Balance the Board was one of the most welcoming events I’ve attended. I arrived knowing no one and left inspired by the openness, support and sense of community from everyone in the room. A fantastic experience."

    —Ciara, Conference attendee

  • "The challenge sits with us men, to recognise that if we want our daughters. sisters, nieces, goddaughters and all the other talented women in our lives to have the chance to fully realise their potential, we need to engage with the subject. When women rise, everyone in society benefits. "

    —Conference attendee

  • "What an impactful afternoon attending the Balance the Board Conference. There was a fantastic range of important discussions from some key industry professionals. Thank you for designing an afternoon that not only encompassed fresh perspectives, but was challenging and thought provoking. All this, as well of a room of brilliant women and men resulting in some great additions to my network. A worthwhile investment of an afternoon for all Senior Leaders genuine about ensuring a diverse and impactful environment, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a difference."

    —Nicola, Conference attendee

  • "Conversations in confidence - the speakers were really inspirational, very real and candid in their views and provided lots of food for thought."

    Conference attendee

  • "It was a fantastic event Balance the Board - so many take ways. The speakers were really inspiring and great to meet so many people with such a passion for inclusion. Thank you everyone. "

    Conference attendee

  • "The most inspirational and empowering day, left the conference highly energised and excited to put in to practise my learnings. "

    —Louise , Conference attendee

  • "The day was amazing, so thought provoking and inspiring. I made some wonderful new contacts and have been thinking about the content for days - Thank you!"

    —Katherine, Conference attendee

  • "Such an inspiring day, so much to learn from other sectors and a brilliant reminder that woman can make an incredible difference in business. Thank you!"

    —Helen, Conference attendee

  • "Sponsorship for exec promotions felt like a light bulb moment when the explanaiton of political and formal promotion was presented - I wish someone had explained this to me much earlier in my career - think it would have helped me think differently"

    Conference attendee

  • "What an event Holly Addison. Still processing all the things I heard and wonderful women I met. It was a privilege to be able to speak to such a great room of women (and men!)"

    Conference attendee

  • "Always such a lovely energy, brilliant content and speakers - and slick coordination!"

    Conference attendee

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

Mentoring has already proven to be successful as a means of breaking down barriers and supporting progression.

Balance the Board wanted to take a different approach to mentoring; to make it easy, flexible, and informal, while making a significant difference to people’s careers. They wanted to create more impact, increase the reach, and build a scalable platform that could evolve and endure.

Today, Balance the Board runs a number of mentoring programmes, hosts conferences, webinars and networking events, bringing together like-minded people and creating a network that will mentor and support the next generation of inclusive leaders.

Join us to help shape the leadership landscape of tomorrow—one that reflects the world we live in, and leads with purpose, authenticity and impact.

If you are interested in supporting the conference next year, please get in touch at info@balancetheboard.co.uk.

Register your interest in attending our 2027 Conference and be the first to know when the date is announced.

Register interest for 2027