9 to 11 November 2026 | Influence. Integrate. Impact. Shaping strategic voice, connected practice, and meaningful change in Higher Education
When we announced our first keynote speakers for the SDF Festival of Learning and Development 2026, we shared a group of voices exploring how learning, leadership and organisational change are evolving.
Today, we are delighted to introduce three further keynote speakers who will add new perspectives to our theme of Influence. Integrate. Impact.
Together, these speakers will challenge us to think differently about influence: where it comes from, how it is built, and how we create meaningful impact in a world of constant change.
Charles Jennings: Building influence through measurable impact
Charles Jennings has spent more than 40 years helping organisations rethink learning, performance and talent development. As a globally recognised thinker, author and consultant, he has consistently challenged traditional approaches to learning and advocated for evidence-based practices that connect development with real organisational outcomes.
Charles is co-author of 70:20:10: Towards 100% Performance, which explores how organisations can move beyond traditional learning approaches and create the conditions for learning to happen through work, collaboration and performance.
Charles will challenge us to consider whether influence is something we wait to be given, or something we create through solutions that genuinely address organisational needs. Drawing on the 70:20:10 framework and performance-based learning approaches, he will explore how co-creation, measurable outcomes and stakeholder partnership can help L&D demonstrate its true value.
Clive Wilson: Leading with purpose through disruption
Clive Wilson brings more than three decades of experience in leadership development, organisational transformation and systems thinking. His work explores one of the most important questions facing leaders today: how do we create the conditions for people and organisations to thrive during times of profound change?
His book, Purposeful Leadership: Leading People and Organisations Through the Great Disruption, explores how leaders can navigate uncertainty by connecting purpose, vision and action to create meaningful and sustainable change.
Drawing on his experience supporting organisations globally, Clive will explore why some change initiatives create lasting impact while others struggle to move beyond short-term responses. His message is centred on purpose, vision and the human conditions required for meaningful transformation.
Matt Ballantine: Learning and adapting in an unpredictable world
Matt Ballantine has spent three decades working at the intersection of technology, organisations and change, with experience across organisations including the BBC, Microsoft and Reuters. Today, he works with organisations helping them navigate uncertainty and rethink how they adapt and learn.
Co-author of Random: How to Thrive in an Unpredictable World, Matt brings a fresh perspective on a challenge familiar to everyone working in learning and development: our tendency to search for certainty in an uncertain world.
His keynote explores why the stories we tell about success, failure and best practice can sometimes hide the role of chance and unexpected opportunity. Through stories from mathematics, history, arts and organisational science, Matt will challenge us to think differently about how individuals and organisations create the conditions to notice and act on opportunities.
A festival for influence, integration and impact
With these additional voices joining our 2026 keynote lineup, the Festival will explore influence from multiple perspectives: strategic credibility, purposeful leadership, human-centred change and the ability to adapt when the future is uncertain.
Across three days, we will come together as a community to question, connect, share practice and explore what learning and development can contribute to the future of higher education.
As we explore what influence and impact look like in practice, we also want to celebrate the excellent work already happening across our community. Nominations are open for the 2026 Developing Excellent Practice Award, recognising colleagues and initiatives that are making a meaningful difference in learning, development and organisational practice.
Join us from 9 to 11 November 2026 as we explore how we can influence, integrate and create impact together.