Partner Article

Event - Culture in Conversation

Why organisational culture is the strategic priority senior leaders cannot afford to ignore

Registrations for Culture in Conversation: Rethinking Leadership & Organisational Practice are attracting strong numbers ahead of the event on April 29 – and with limited places remaining, senior people leaders from across the region are being encouraged to secure their place without delay.

Northumbria University’s free half-day event, taking place on Wednesday, April 29, has generated significant interest among HR, People & Culture, and organisational development professionals from across the region. With registrations continuing to grow and available places limited, here are three compelling reasons why senior leaders are choosing to attend.

1. Expert insight from practitioners at the forefront of organisational change

Culture in Conversation brings together a distinguished line-up of practitioners with direct, current experience of the challenges facing organisations today. 

Keynotes from Matt Beeton, chief executive at Port of Tyne; Joanne Davidson, deputy director workforce at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust; and Charlotte Cumiskey, organisational development manager at Northumbria University, will offer substantive, real-world perspectives on what it takes to build high-performing, people-centred organisations.

The programme is further enriched by breakout sessions covering high-performance culture in engineering SMEs, restorative just and learning culture practices from the NHS, and a session with Professor Gavin Oxburgh on the principles of effective communication, providing delegates with a breadth of cross -sector perspectives and practical tools they can apply within their own organisations.

2. A programme that reflects the most pressing challenges in organisational leadership today

Economic uncertainty, a rapidly shifting regulatory landscape, and the accelerating influence of AI are placing organisational culture under intense scrutiny across all sectors.

Culture in Conversation addresses several interconnected themes including culture as strategic infrastructure, leadership by example, restorative approaches in practice, and psychological safety. 

These themes reflect the complex and layered challenges that senior people leaders are navigating in their organisations right now, and the programme has been designed to provide both strategic perspective and practical application.

3. Meaningful peer exchange with senior leaders from across sectors

The event has been intentionally designed as a participatory experience – one that provokes debate, surfaces difficult questions, and creates genuine opportunities for peer connection.

Places are limited to ensure the quality of dialogue, and delegates will be joining senior managers, HR and People & Culture professionals, and organisational development leaders from a diverse range of sectors and business sizes.

Whether you are building a culture from the ground up, navigating a period of significant transformation, or seeking fresh perspectives to strengthen an existing approach, the peer connections and conversations at this event will offer lasting value beyond the programme itself.

Register now – places are limited

Registrations are strong and places are being booked quickly. With April 29 fast approaching, those wishing to attend are encouraged to register at the earliest opportunity.

Secure your free place: northumbria.ac.uk/culture-in-conversation

Date: Wednesday 29 April 2026 Time: 1:00pm – 4:15pm Venue: Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne Cost: Free

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