2026 WCF Alumni Conference
Download 2026 WCF Alumni Conference.pdfPosted on Tue, Aug 25, 2026 8:36 AM
DAY #1, from 2:00 pm 24th November, The Link - Loughborough University
Networking Bingo: Meet your conference delegates in a fun and gently competitive way! QUICKFIRE INTROS
Interactive Leadership: You have met your fellow conference delegates; now get to know more about yourself in this interactive session led by John Boland, people development coach & the team from Twocan Mentor. INTERACTIVE
Cultivating Insight: A new feature of the Alumni Conference. Enjoy a fireside chat that guarantees frank conversation on the big issues facing the industry. Dan Knight, Partner at Evolution ABS, and co-course director for the Farmers’ Company Rural Business Management programme, talks about succession planning and the future of agricultural education. Q&A, facilitated by Claire Wright, National Access Advisor for Country Land & Business Association & WCFA Chairman
WCF Alumni Dinner: Enjoy a drinks reception and three-course meal before we hear from our after-dinner speaker, Joe Seels, Chair of Future Farmers, a working beef & arable farmer, an agricultural influencer and YouTube sensation, about how he has promoted agriculture to an audience far beyond his farm gate. FELLOWSHIP & NETWORKING
DAY #2, from 9:00 am 25th November, Holywell Centre - Loughborough University
Education plans: Hear the current initiatives about the education portfolio from the Livery. KNOWLEDGE
Keynote Speaker: Get day two off to a ‘flying start’ as we hear how thinking differently and adapting can help us to solve problems in our own businesses. INSPIRATIONAL
Mandy Hickson, a former RAF jet pilot completing 45 missions in Iraq as a combat & survival officer, having initially been declined from the force, Mandy proved that determination can defy expectation. https://www.mandyhickson.com
Innovating the Impossible: Having listened to the theories from Mandy, this is our chance to put those new ideas into practice by tackling real-world rural problems in an interactive discussion forum. Then put AI to the test and see whether man or machine can come up with the most innovative solution. GROUP SESSION
Facilitator: Terri Lucas - Programme Manager, Rural Business Management course
Lunch: To allow conversations to continue. FELLOWSHIP & NETWORKING
Bridging Generations: The return of this popular feature as we bring together people from the industry who span different generations but have one thing in common. Their drive to think creatively and solve problems by doing things differently. Delegates can expect to be inspired by these stories of problem-solving and trying new things in an industry that is comfortable with tradition. PANEL DISCUSSION
Panellists: Paul Barnes - Estate & Land Manager, South Ormsby Estate & WCFA Member
Georgina Bostock - Founder & App developer for ‘Togro’
Dan Cross - Managing Director, Dyson farming
Facilitator: Ellie Hay - Partner, Barton Place Farms & WCFA Committee
What Sparked Your Rebel Brain: To provide feedback on the 2026 Conference. THOUGHTS & FEEDBACK
Facilitator: Richard Davies - Past Master & WCFA Committee
& Home from 15:00