The Inclusive Workplace Conference 2026 is set to be one of the most important gatherings of HR, equality, and diversity professionals in the UK. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham across two days, the event is designed to bring together senior leaders, inclusion practitioners, and organisational decision-makers to share ideas, insights, and practical strategies for building fairer, more inclusive workplaces. With growing public and corporate focus on inclusion, equity, and belonging, this conference is positioned as the place where conversation meets action.
Delegates can expect a packed agenda that reflects the complexity and opportunity of modern workplace inclusion. Topics will range from the strategic — how to embed inclusion into business models and leadership frameworks — to the practical, such as inclusive recruitment, neurodiversity at work, employee wellbeing, and addressing bias in performance management. Leading figures from major UK employers, public sector bodies, and inclusion organisations will deliver keynote addresses and participate in open panel discussions designed to challenge and inspire.
Across the exhibition floor, delegates will find a curated showcase of solutions and services supporting workplace inclusion. Exhibitors will include HR technology firms, training providers, wellbeing consultancies, recruitment specialists, and accessibility innovators. This combination of thought leadership and hands-on resources ensures that attendees leave with both inspiration and concrete tools they can apply immediately within their organisations.
The Inclusive Workplace Conference is as much about connection as it is about content. Networking sessions will run throughout both days, allowing professionals to meet peers from across sectors — from the NHS and local government to finance, tech, and manufacturing. The conference organisers encourage cross-sector collaboration, recognising that challenges around inclusion are shared and solutions often transferable. The informal networking sessions, coffee lounges, and themed discussion tables make it easy for attendees to exchange insights and develop partnerships that last beyond the event itself.
A particular emphasis for the 2026 conference is the intersection between inclusion and wellbeing. Following years of change in how we work, from hybrid environments to remote collaboration, organisations are re-evaluating what inclusion means in practice. Sessions will explore the link between psychological safety and performance, how to support underrepresented employees in dispersed teams, and the importance of equity in flexible work policies. Experts in mental health, workplace culture, and organisational behaviour will share evidence-based approaches to building inclusive systems that improve both morale and productivity.
Technology will also play a prominent role in the 2026 agenda. With AI and automation increasingly influencing recruitment and employee management, discussions will examine how organisations can use these tools responsibly while maintaining fairness and transparency. Speakers will highlight examples of how technology can reduce bias when properly designed, as well as cautionary lessons from cases where automation has unintentionally reinforced inequality. For delegates, this presents an opportunity to future-proof their inclusion strategies in an age of digital transformation.
The conference’s panel sessions are designed to foster open conversation. Instead of formal presentations alone, many sessions invite audience participation, allowing delegates to share their own experiences or pose questions directly to panellists. These sessions typically include HR directors, DEI consultants, trade union representatives, and academics, offering a balanced mix of perspectives. Attendees often praise this interactive format for creating a sense of shared learning and community rather than a one-way lecture.
The organisers of the Inclusive Workplace Conference 2026 have also placed strong emphasis on accessibility. The NEC Birmingham provides full accessibility across all event spaces, and the event team ensures that both physical and digital experiences are inclusive to all delegates. Captioning and sign language interpretation will be available for main stage sessions, and presentation materials will be shared in accessible formats. For those unable to attend in person, hybrid participation options are planned, enabling remote delegates to join sessions and networking discussions online.
For HR and DEI professionals, this event is both an opportunity for professional development and a practical investment in organisational progress. Delegates can expect to leave with new frameworks for inclusive leadership, ideas for training and policy development, and renewed motivation to build environments where everyone can thrive. The conference’s blend of theory, data, and case studies makes it particularly valuable for professionals looking to measure inclusion outcomes and demonstrate impact within their organisations.
Ultimately, The Inclusive Workplace Conference 2026 serves as a reminder that inclusion is not a static goal but an evolving journey. By bringing together the UK’s leading voices in equality and organisational culture, the event reinforces the idea that inclusion is a shared responsibility — one that drives innovation, resilience, and long-term business success. For organisations serious about creating change, this is the event to attend, learn, and connect.
🎟️ Tickets: theinclusiveworkplace.com