Fri 23 Oct 2026
Breakout session A
Career Progression Toolkit: Practical Strategies for Career Advancement
The Civil Service is full of talented individuals whose diverse experiences, perspectives and expertise strengthen public service. This hands-on session will help you translate that talent and contribution into career progression by understanding what decision-makers look for, building compelling evidence of your impact, exploring a range of progression pathways, and turning development conversations into meaningful action. You'll leave with a clear, personalised progression plan you can put into practice straight away, while staying true to yourself and your strengths.
Speaker: TBC
Breakout session B
Difficult Conversations Done Well
Most of us don't avoid difficult conversations because we don't care. We avoid them because we don't know how to start them, or we don't feel in control once they have begun. This session is about changing that: how to say the thing that needs saying, clearly and kindly, without it turning into a confrontation, an apology, or a conversation you wish you'd never had.
Cath Baxter, Professional Voice and Public Speaking Consultant & former Head of Voice, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Breakout session C
Unlocking Your Next Level: The Neural Patterns Behind Senior Leaders Breakthroughs
You've earned your seat. Built the track record. So why does the next level feel harder to hold than it should? Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, and research with over 4,000 senior women, Saj reveals the neural patterns quietly capping progression long after skill and experience stop being the constraint - and teaches one, in full, that you can recognise in yourself by the time you leave the room.
Saj Zaman-Elahi, CEO & Founder, LeadHERship Academy
Breakout session D
Preparing for your next role: Are you ready for a Promotion?
If you would like to be taken through the selection process step by step by a Civil Service selection ex-occupational psychologist and Senior Civil Servant who has trained and worked successfully for many years with Hiring Managers, Panel Chairs and hundreds of applicants then this is the session for you. You will be able to compare how prepared you are, and what you need to do next to improve your approach in a supportive session which will offer examples and valuable tips that have worked for others.
Richard Hillsdon, Civil Service Selection Consultant
Breakout session E
Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Prioritising Your Wellbeing at Work
Workplace challenges can have a significant impact on our wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging. Whether it's feeling overlooked, experiencing microaggressions, navigating difficult workplace relationships or facing barriers to progression, the cumulative effect can leave us feeling drained, undervalued and questioning our own abilities.
But how do we protect our wellbeing and continue to thrive professionally when the environment around us isn't always supportive?
This thought-provoking and interactive workshop challenges the traditional narrative around resilience. Rather than focusing solely on how individuals can become better at coping with difficult circumstances, it explores the balance between taking positive steps to protect our own wellbeing and recognising the responsibility organisations have to create healthy, inclusive workplaces.
Drawing on extensive experience leading workplace wellbeing and culture change, alongside her work as Deputy Race Champion at the Home Office, Fiona will explore practical approaches to maintaining confidence, establishing healthy boundaries and navigating challenging workplace situations.
Delegates will leave with:
- A fresh perspective on what resilience means in challenging workplace environments.
- Practical ideas for protecting their wellbeing, confidence and professional identity.
- Greater awareness of when to establish boundaries, seek support or challenge unhealthy workplace behaviours.
- A personal commitment to one action that will support their wellbeing moving forward.
Fiona Yensen, Leadership, Wellbeing & Culture Consultant, Twiga Training & Consultancy Ltd
Breakout session F
Practical AI Skills for Everyday Leadership
AI is already changing how we work, and knowing where it genuinely helps, and where it doesn't, is now a leadership skill. In this hands on session, Lizzie May, a HR Manager at a global AI technology company, shows how tools such as Microsoft Copilot can support everyday Civil Service work preparing for meetings, drafting briefings, managing stakeholder communications and supporting and reviewing the data.
Through live demonstrations, short exercises and group discussion, delegates will learn how to:
- Identify tasks where AI adds real value, and recognise when it is not appropriate to use
- Move from simple questions to clear, structured prompts
- Understand the difference between prompts, reusable workflows and AI agents
- Check outputs for accuracy, and apply sensible safeguards around confidentiality, data protection and human oversight
Speaker: TBC
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