'Thriving in Tomorrow’s Labour Market'
Unmissable Event
Date: 11 June 2026
Location: 116 Pall Mall (IoD building) | London SW1
Headline Sponsor: City & Guilds
IEP Summit Drinks Reception Sponsor: Beam
Networking Dinner Headline Sponsor: Get Set UK
Networking Dinner Drinks Reception Sponsor: Elevate Employment Services
IEP Summit 2026 and Networking Dinner sponsors
The IEP Summit 2026 is the must-attend event for employability professionals worldwide.
Set in the Institute of Director’s building at 116 Pall Mall, this prestigious venue provides a historic and elegant setting to bring together the employability sector’s leading professionals, industry experts, and key decision-makers.
Join industry leaders, policymakers, and frontline practitioners to explore the latest innovations, best practices, and strategies that drive success in employability and employment services.
Why Attend?
- Gain insights from expert speakers shaping the future of employability
- Participate in thought-provoking discussions and interactive sessions
- Network with peers and industry influencers
- Discover new tools and solutions to enhance your impact
More than just seminars
The IEP Summit is not just another sector event; it’s a unique opportunity for sector leaders and key figures to connect, discuss, and share best practice. The Summit offers a unique blend of formal seminars and informal networking sessions, creating an environment conducive to meaningful conversations and the forging of valuable connections.
Bridging borders in employability
Building on the success of the past six years, the IEP Summit 2026 is committed to promoting global collaboration. The Summit aims to maximise engagement from our international colleagues and partners, ensuring a diverse range of voices and perspectives to shape the future of employability.
Shaping the future of employability
The IEP Summit is not just a gathering; it’s a platform for sector professionals to discuss, debate, and shape the strategic agenda of the employability sector. It provides a space for learning from experienced colleagues, offering insights and solutions to the challenges facing the sector now and in the future.
Your opportunity to contribute
The IEP Summit is for anyone passionate about employability services, policy, and strategy. It offers a unique chance to have your say, contribute to the sector’s growth, build new business opportunities, and partner with like-minded individuals. By participating, you actively contribute to the development of effective practices that benefit both practitioners and participants.
Confirmed Speakers (More to be Announced)
Barbara Bennett – Chief Executive and Director General of the Jobs and Careers Service Operations at the Department for Work and Pensions
Barbara is responsible for the day-to-day running of Universal Credit and Working Age operations via Jobcentres and Service Centres, the provision of all Working Age face-to-face services through Jobcentres, and the leadership of Jobcentre Plus as it transitions into the new Jobs and Careers Service – a critical delivery strand of the government’s plan to Get Britain Working.
Opening the Summit 2026, she will provide insights into the Department for Work and Pensions’ operational priorities, alongside her expectations of partnership working between Jobcentres, employability providers, local communities and other important stakeholders.
Matthew Taylor CBE – Chair of the Fair Work Agency
Matthew is one of the UK’s leading voices on employment rights and labour market policy. He is best known for leading the landmark Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices, which shaped subsequent UK labour market reforms including those being implemented through the Employment Rights Act.
His previous roles include Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation and the RSA, and Chief Adviser on Political Strategy to Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Sarah O’Connor – Journalist and Associate Editor at the Financial Times
Sarah returns to the IEP Summit stage by popular demand following her acclaimed appearance in 2023. Sarah writes a weekly column on work, technology, economics and society, and will be speaking fresh from the publication of her new book, We Are Not Machines: The Fight for the Future of Work, due out on 4 June 2026 – just one week before the Summit.
An Unmissable Evening at the IEP Summit Networking Dinner
Headline Sponsor: Get Set UK
Date: Thursday, 11 June 2026 | 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Location: The Carlton, 116 Pall Mall (IoD building) | London SW1
Drinks Reception Sponsor: Elevate Employment Services
The IEP Summit Networking Dinner 2026 is proudly sponsored by Get Set UK, and offers an exclusive evening of networking, fine dining, and thought-provoking discussion.
Set in The Carlton at 116 Pall Mall, this must-attend event offers an exceptional opportunity to connect with peers, discuss the hot topics of the day, and explore the latest trends and policies shaping the employability landscape. Whether you’re looking to forge new connections, exchange insights, or continue discussions from the IEP Summit, this evening promises to be an inspiring and engaging experience.
Why Attend?
- Exclusive Networking Opportunities – Connect with senior professionals and industry leaders in an intimate and engaging setting.
- Fine Dining Experience – Enjoy a carefully curated menu in a refined atmosphere.
- Sector Insights & Discussions – Be part of the conversation on employability strategy and policy decisions shaping the future.
Last Year’s Winner!
Congratulations to Claudine Adeyemi-Adams FIEP!
“This award and recognition means the absolute world to me because everything that this sector does and stands for leans so deeply into my why. So, thank you to all the Fellows and Members of the IEP that have engaged with my work in one way or another, Scott Parkin FIEP FRSA and the IEP team – and a huge thank you to my own team who support me every day to achieve this vision I have for a world where every single person deserves the opportunity to thrive in employment.”
Why This Award Matters
Since the IEP’s establishment in 2011, Fellowship has been a vital part of our Institute. IEP Fellows play a crucial and valuable role in the growth and development of the IEP and the wider employability sector. Fellows are not only thought leaders and mentors but also advocates for best practice, contributing to strategic initiatives that shape our industry’s future. The IEP Fellow of the Year Award is an opportunity to celebrate and congratulate our Fellows for the significant contribution they make, not only to the IEP but also to the employability sector as a whole.
