Lead Liverpool Conference 2026

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The Liverpool City Region’s graduate and emerging professionals conference. Inspiring confidence, building skills, and shaping the future workforce.

Lead Liverpool 2026 is a landmark new conference led by the University of Liverpool, in partnership with Professional Liverpool and supported by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Taking place on 16 April 2026, this flagship event brings together graduates, students, emerging professionals, employers, and civic leaders who share a commitment to making the Liverpool City Region a place where talent can thrive, lead, and build lasting careers.

The conference will be officially opened by the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, underlining the region-wide commitment to developing future leaders and strengthening the local workforce.

Conference Programme 2026

Lead Liverpool is a landmark new conference created by the University of Liverpool in collaboration with Professional Liverpool and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

This flagship event offers a space to learn, connect, and grow alongside peers who share your drive to thrive in the Liverpool City Region.Spend a day surrounded by inspiring speakers, honest career insight, and hands-on workshops, all focused on supporting your progression, strengthening your professional identity, and helping you take the next step in your journey.Date of Event: 16 April 2026
Venue: Spaces at The Spine, Paddington Village, L7 3FA

Information for Early-Career Professionals

Lead Liverpool is the first conference of its kind for recent University of Liverpool graduates and early-career professionals based in the Liverpool City Region.

Bringing together emerging talent, employers, and civic leaders, the conference is all about confidence, skills and real progression.You can expect honest employer insight, practical skill-building, inspiring speakers and the chance to connect with peers who want to thrive, lead and build lasting careers in the LCR.Why Attend?

  • Build confidence and professional identity
  • Hear honest insights from employers
  • Develop practical, real-world skills
  • Connect with peers and regional leaders

What You’ll Experience

  • Inspiring keynotes from leaders and alumni
  • Employer truths panel on graduate progression
  • Hands-on skills and confidence workshops
  • Networking, socials, and celebration

Igniting ambition in the Liverpool City Region

You are invited to be part of a city-wide effort to build a future-ready workforce by supporting the development of early-career talent across the Liverpool City Region.

Lead Liverpool gives graduates and early-career professionals a unique space to connect, build skills, and gain the confidence and networks to thrive in a rapidly changing world of work. This is for them – filling a gap no other event in the region currently addresses.Created to bridge the gap between graduates, early-career professionals and the skills employers are looking for, Lead Liverpool offers a dedicated space for the region’s early-career talent to connect, upskill and align their development with the realities of a rapidly changing world of work.

The benefits

  • Support the progression of early-career professionals, helping them build the skills, confidence and networks needed to thrive and lead.
  • Provide employers with a platform to raise their profile as champions of regional talent development and the future skills agenda.
  • Connect sponsors directly with the region’s future leaders and demonstrate their commitment to strengthening the local workforce.

How to get involved

Simply register members of your graduate and early-career workforce to support their development, confidence, and retention here.You can also take part in employer panels, networking spaces, and fringe events that connect you directly with motivated graduates and professionals. Please email gregory.hunter@liverpool.ac.ukto find out how.

Sponsorship Packages

If you are interested in sponsoring the Lead Liverpool conference, we have the following options. Please email gregory.hunter@liverpool.ac.uk directly for full details.

For more information on all of the above, please visit here.