Form the Future Annual Conference 2026

This flagship event, unique in bringing together a diverse audience of educators, employers, policymakers, and government officials, will include a full day of talks, panel discussions, debates, seminars, and networking, as well as lunch and all refreshments.

This important, one-day conference is being held at The Hinxton Hall Conference Centre, located on the Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, on Thursday, 29 January 2026.

Whether you're a headteacher, careers leader, a CEO, social value manager, HR director, an economic development professional, policy or skills lead, there will be a range of opportunities to gather the latest information, views and insights into this challenging development facing young people today.

The all-day event will include keynote speeches, seminars, and open debate, as well as extensive opportunities to network and make new connections.

We have a packed agenda covering the following themes:

• The Impact of AI on Young People - Separating fact from fear about job displacement and augmentation 
• The Employers' View - Young People’s work readiness and future-focused Skills. Identifying emerging opportunities and skills for the AI economy 
• The Impact of AI on Recruitment and Talent Acquisition 

• Skills and Work Readiness   
• The Big Debate - Young People on AI, Opportunity and the Future of Work 
• AI and Education - Education’s Next Frontier - embedding AI literacy, creativity, and ethical awareness across learning and careers systems 
• Emerging Skills Policy - How policymakers and civic leaders can shape a just transition to an AI-enabled future 

We have a fantastic lineup of speakers, including:

Professor Andy Neely OBE, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise at the University of Cambridge, and Chair of Innovate Cambridge

Andrea Wood MBE, Assistant Director, Skills & Employment, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

Dr Agnieszka Iwasiewicz-Wabnig FRSA, Director of the Maxwell Centre, University of Cambridge.

Al Kingsley MBE, Bestselling Author & Speaker on Education & AI, EdTech CEO and MAT Chair

Pippa Heylings MP, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for South Cambridgeshire

Philip Colligan, Chief Executive Officer at Raspberry Pi Foundation

Alex Zatifeh, Founder, ATLP Futures Readiness - Helping young people AND adults navigate the AI Revolution - Fostering ‘AI Discernment’

We are delighted to have the support of the CPCA (Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority), whose contribution is enabling Careers Leaders and Enterprise Advisers from across our region to access this event.

Watch this video of our 2023 Conference.

(as produced by Long Road 6th Form Students with Somersault)