There are just days to go until the 2026 IDN Conference. To mark the countdown, we’re taking a closer look at the exceptional programme and the inspiring line-up of speakers and panellists joining us.
IDN Conference Overview
When: Thursday 4th June 2026
Where: Online and in-person at The Edwardian Manchester Hotel, Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP
Conference Theme: Inclusive by Default – How do we get there?
Keynote Speakers
Professor John Amaechi OBE – Headline Keynote
We are delighted to welcome John Amaechi OBE, a world-renowned organisational psychologist, bestselling author, and Professor of Leadership at the University of Exeter Business School. As the founder of APS Intelligence Ltd., John leads a global team that transforms leaders and cultures by combining cutting-edge behavioural science with psychological insight.
An adviser to FTSE 100 boards, a LinkedIn Top Voice, and the recipient of the Sport Industry Integrity and Impact Award, John is recognised as one of the most influential voices in leadership and organisational culture. John is the author of two internationally best-selling books that inspire leaders worldwide. His latest book, It’s Not Magic: The Ordinary Skills of Exceptional Leaders, builds on this foundation, equipping leaders with practical tools to navigate complexity, empower teams and achieve extraordinary results through everyday, repeatable skills that create exceptional leaders.
Toby Mildon – Afternoon Keynote Speaker
Following his impactful contribution at our Pay Gap conference, Toby Mildon makes a very welcome return to our conference, leading the afternoon session with his talk: How do we make inclusion business as usual?
Toby is an EDI consultant and executive coach specialising in inclusive leadership and organisational design. He is the founder and director of Mildon Ltd. He works with senior teams to address behaviour, culture and fairness at work, drawing on more than twenty years’ experience across the BBC, Deloitte, Accenture and the healthtech sector. Toby brings lived experience as a queer disabled professional and often speaks about how workplace systems affect progression, opportunity and pay. He is the author of two books on inclusion and hosts The Inclusive Growth Show podcast.
Case Study Presentation
“An Open Goal Missed: What Happens When Football Overlooks Its Own Community”
Delivered by Justin Brett, Culture and Inclusion Leader/Consultant
Justin is a culture and inclusion leader known for turning insight into action. With experience spanning global football, criminal justice, housing, and refugee and asylum-seeking communities, and currently working in the health sector within the UK’s largest NHS Trust, he has led programmes that connect workforce experience, community engagement and organisational performance.
During Justin’s time as an EDI lead at one of the world’s most recognised football organisations, it became clear that something fundamental was being missed. Despite its scale and success, the club lacked meaningful connection with its local South Asian community. The result was a loss on multiple fronts: commercial underperformance, overlooked talent across academy and workforce, and a culture that wasn’t fully reflecting the community around it. This presentation explores how he identified those gaps, challenged assumptions, and worked across the organisation to deliver change, from fan engagement and academy pathways to workplace culture; turning an open goal into a leading example of inclusive practice.
Panel Sessions
‘Network Insights – What’s needed to be inclusive by default’.
Panellists include:
Terri Hargreaves, Diversity & Inclusion Advisor, Sellafield Ltd | Enable Nuclear
Terri has been a Diversity & Inclusion Advisor at Sellafield Ltd. since 2019, where she uses her background, personal experiences, and passion to drive the changes needed to create a much more accessible and inclusive work environment.
Rutendo Madhlambudzi, Racial Equality in Nuclear
Rutendo is the social media lead for the Racial Equality in Nuclear (REiN) network. She has worked at Sellafield Ltd for 5 years, as a technical advisor. With her own experiences growing up in Cumbria and now working in nuclear, she has gradually become more involved in initiatives working towards improving inclusion and diversity in organisations and communities.
Mark Roe, Co-Chair, Nuclear Rainbow Forum
Mark co-chairs the Nuclear Rainbow Forum, which aims to build an alliance of LGBTQ+ networks from across the nuclear sector who are passionate about working together and harnessing our collective power to drive LGBTQ+ inclusion across the industry.
Panel Session: ‘Organisational Insights – lessons learned on the journey to being inclusive by default’.
Panellists include:
Greg Turner-Smart, Head of Culture & Inclusion, Rolls-Royce SMR
Greg uses his Engineering background and his passion for diversity to help shape a more inclusive culture for Rolls-Royce SMR. Greg was winner of the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2023 Nuclear Skills Awards, and he collected the ED&I Award on behalf of Rolls-Royce SMR at the 2025 Global IChemE Awards.
Odis Palmer, Co-Chair Rail Unites for Inclusion
Odis is a rail industry professional with over 13 years’ experience spanning frontline operations, learning and development, organisational development and national transformation programmes. Odis specialises in translating strategic intent into practical delivery within complex operational environments, with expertise in organisational culture, workforce engagement, behavioural change and inclusion.
Rebecca Orchard, ED&I Advisor, Cadent
As ED&I Advisor at Cadent, Rebecca challenges cultural ways of thinking and provides expert guidance across the business.
Workshops (In-person only)
Care Happens: Why employers must design for sudden and gradual caring responsibilities
Workshop overview: The session will provide education around Carer reasons, statistics, disclosure issues, and share practical ways to create a safe and supportive culture
Workshop Lead: Charlie Beswick
Charlie Beswick is mum to 20-year-old twins, Oliver and Harry, who was born with a rare craniofacial syndrome and is autistic. She is the author of the best-selling memoir Our Altered Life, a raw and powerful account of navigating a path she never anticipated. Charlie collaborates with both national and international organisations committed to supporting the carers within their workforce.
Beyond Adjustments: Designing organisations for cognitive difference
Workshop overview: This psychologist-led workshop explores how organisations in the nuclear industry can effectively support neurodivergent employees.
Workshop Lead: Dr Stacy Moore
Stacy is a Chartered Psychologist specialising in learning, mental health and workplace wellbeing. She is the Director & Lead Psychologist at Inner Circles Psychology. She designs and delivers evidence-based training that helps organisations build psychologically safe, inclusive, and high-performing environments.
Who is this event for?
This event will serve as a platform for industry leaders, colleagues, peers, professional and advocates to develop the leadership capability needed to drive meaningful cultural change.
Reasons to Attend
- Gain practical leadership insight from industry-leading speakers
- Learn proven strategies to build inclusive, high-performing teams
- Take part in interactive, real-world workshops (in-person attendees)
- Connect with leaders, peers, and change-makers across the sector
- Strengthen your leadership capability in inclusion, equity, and culture
- Build relationships that support future collaboration and impact
Limited in-person tickets are still available so don’t delay to secure your place!
Book your tickets here.