NPC Ignites 2026 programme

Arrivals from 9am

9.20am: Welcome and introductions by our chair

Our chair for the day, NPC trustee, Patricia Hamzahee OBE, welcomes delegates and sets the tone for a day of bold ideas, practical insights, and collective ambition for the impact economy.

9.30am: Opening presentation by NPC’s CEO Jonathan Simmons

Opening the day Jonathan Simmons will set out why the impact economy matters now, and what it will take for it to grow. Drawing on NPC’s latest thinking, this scene-setting presentation will explore how charities, social enterprises, funders, philanthropists, investors, businesses and policymakers can build a stronger shared narrative for the impact economy: one that recognises its scale, celebrates its potential, and makes the case for more capital, attention and collaboration to flow towards social impact. Jonathan will reflect on the growth already happening across the impact economy, the opportunities ahead, and the role we all must play in turning ambition into practical action.

9.55am: Office of the impact economy (tbc)

10.15am: Fireside chat with Kate Lee OBE, Chair of the Civil Society Covenant

How can the impact economy make sure it is not just consulted, but properly represented in the decisions that shape people’s lives? In this fireside chat, Kate Lee OBE, Chair of the Civil Society Covenant and CEO at NCVO, will reflect on what it means to bring civil society closer to the heart of government, and how charities, funders and social purpose organisations can use this moment to strengthen their voice, influence and impact.

10.40am: Place is the term of the moment, but what does it really mean to work in, with and for place?

Our panel will explore how the next decade could reshape place‑based practice. We’ll get practical about what it takes to deliver in place, partnering differently, measuring what matters locally, and building the capacity to adapt as needed. We’ll ask what we should be preparing for now: the skills, relationships and operating models needed to build trust, strengthen social cohesion and create lasting change where people live.

• Chair: Joshua Meek, Chief Impact Officer, Unity Trust Bank
• Kelly Fowler, Chief Executive, Belong Network
• Fiona Spellman, Chief Executive, SHINE

11.40am: Break and networking

Grab a brew, visit our stalls, and connect with fellow changemakers. Reflect on the morning’s ideas and spark new ones.

Choose a roundtable discussion or a workshop topic

Roundtables are a chance to get under the surface of the big questions shaping the impact economy. In smaller, facilitated groups, you’ll share your experience, hear from peers, and explore practical ways to turn ideas into action. The sessions are designed to be participatory, useful and grounded in the realities of delivering impact, giving you space to test ideas, make connections and leave with fresh insight for your own work.

Workshops are larger group practical sessions designed to help you dig deeper into the ideas shaping the impact economy. You’ll hear what others are trying, explore what is working and what is getting in the way, and leave with useful insights, connections and ideas to apply in your own organisation or field.

Roundtable discussions to choose from

Or choose a workshop instead

• Making impact work: how do we grow the UK impact economy?
  The UK’s impact economy is gaining visibility, but what will it take to help it grow well? This practical workshop will build on NPC’s Impact UK work to explore how charities, funders, investors, policymakers and businesses can use clearer language and better evidence.

Chaired by Jonathan Simmons, NPC’s CEO.

With speakers, Rachel Engel from Macquarie Group Foundation

• Evidence, impact and knowing what works
  How do we know whether our work is making the difference we hope it will? This workshop will explore how organisations across the impact economy can use evidence well: not just to prove impact, but to learn, adapt and make better decisions.
  Drawing on practical experience, the session will look at what it takes to build useful approaches to impact measurement, understand what works in context, and keep evidence proportionate, honest and focused on improving outcomes for people and communities.

Chaired by Erwin Hieltjes, NPC’s Director for data and impact

With speakers, Jonathan Tan from Greater Change and Dr Shrochis Karki from UnLtd

• More workshops to be announced.

1pm: Lunch and networking

Enjoy lunch and connect with speakers and delegates. Ask questions, share ideas, and explore new collaborations.

Choose a roundtable discussion or a workshop topic

Roundtables are a chance to get under the surface of the big questions shaping the impact economy. In smaller, facilitated groups, you’ll share your experience, hear from peers, and explore practical ways to turn ideas into action. The sessions are designed to be participatory, useful and grounded in the realities of delivering impact, giving you space to test ideas, make connections and leave with fresh insight for your own work.

Workshops are larger group practical sessions designed to help you dig deeper into the ideas shaping the impact economy. You’ll hear what others are trying, explore what is working and what is getting in the way, and leave with useful insights, connections and ideas to apply in your own organisation or field.

Roundtable discussions to choose from

Or choose a workshop topic

• Systems change in practice—what can we learn from those trying?

Systems change is easy to talk about, but much harder to do. This workshop will explore what it looks like in practice, drawing on the experiences of organisations working to shift complex systems while staying grounded in the realities of delivery.
Together, we’ll ask what helps systems change efforts take root, where they get stuck, and what funders, charities and partners can learn from those testing new ways of working.

Chaired by Erwin Hieltjes, NPC’s Director for data and impact

With speakers including Heather McLean, Director – Communities and System Partnerships, Macmillan Cancer Support

• AI and the impact economy: what’s useful now?

AI is already changing how organisations across the impact economy work, but where is it genuinely useful, and where should we be cautious? This practical workshop will look beyond the hype to explore how charities, funders and social purpose organisations are using AI now, from everyday productivity to insight, learning and service design. Expect a grounded conversation about practical use cases, ethical risks and how the impact economy can make the most of AI while staying focused on people, evidence and mission.

Chaired by Alex Hayes, NPC’s Director for philanthropy

• More to be announced.

3pm: Break and final refreshments

Your last chance to visit stalls, meet speakers, and make connections that last beyond the day.

3.25pm: Wealth for impact: how funding flows, grows and supports public good

We’ll explore what “wealth for impact” looks like in practice across the funding landscape: from philanthropy, trusts and foundations, to corporate partnerships, impact investment, earned income and other models that help organisations sustain and grow their work. How can charities and social enterprises make thoughtful choices about the funding they pursue, build the relationships and capabilities they need, use AI and technology to understand opportunities, strengthen insight and work more effectively, and avoid being pulled away from mission by short-term pressures? We’ll also look at what it takes to scale impact well: the governance, data, skills, risk appetite and ethical guardrails that help organisations grow without losing trust, focus or effectiveness.

• Chaired by Sean Sinanan, Impact Lead, Plinth
• James Perry, Director, COOK
• Adiva Kestenbaum Kalms, Deputy CEO, Prism the Gift Fund
• Michael Stickland, Director of Partnerships & Philanthropy, Macmillan Cancer Support

4.15pm: Closing keynote with Asher Craig

We end the day with a powerful call to action from Asher Craig, Chief Executive at the Pathway Fund.

4.40pm: Close