Rightsize. Refocus. Rebuild
Over 120 delegates joined us for the SUMS Consulting Annual Conference 2026 as we explored alternative futures and considered how to rightsize, refocus and rebuild not just our own institutions, but the UK HE sector as a whole.
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Here’s a preview of our favourite moments⬇️
SUMS Annual Conference 2026
You can’t just cut your way to strategic success. Long-term success depends on aligning institutional ambitions with financial realities and strategic goals. Real change requires understanding the academic portfolio’s financial viability, aligning offerings with market demand, and exploring third-stream income. Institutions must rethink their models, simplify their structures, and embrace shared services and mergers where they will deliver long-term efficiencies.
We had an action-packed agenda with panel sessions and keynotes exploring how we can rightsize, refocus and rebuild. There were of course also lots of breaks for networking, exhibitions and pastries!
Agenda
Delegate arrival, registration and exhibition
Conference welcome and introduction to headline sponsors
10:30-10:50
Tools for transformation: OEMA and the power of shared insight
10:50-11:15
KEYNOTE – Making transformation stick: leading lasting change in universities
11:15-12:00
PANEL 1 – The art of the possible: bold ideas from beyond HE
12:20-13:10
HE WORLD CAFÉ – Applying insights to HE: from inspiration to action
13:55-14:45
PANEL 2 – Rebuilding from within: homegrown innovation and transformation in HE
15:10-16:20
Wrap up and close
16:20-16:30
Followed by a drinks reception from 16:30-17:30🥂
SUMS Annual Conference 2024
Catch up with last year’s content!
Travel back to 2024 when we explored the ultimate balancing act
- The ultimate balancing act: Cutting costs vs driving growth
- Strategy and culture change in chastened times
- Engage your core! Back to basics for improving student progression and satisfaction
- Why are university shared services and mergers as credible as an April fool?
- Panel discussion: Cutting costs to survive, driving growth to thrive