Event programme

Thursday 25 June, London

Our annual conference brings together experts, practitioners and leaders from across the profession to share ideas, real-world experience and insight on the challenges and opportunities shaping quality.

This year’s theme, Powering Performance, is all about delivering real impact, helping organisations become more productive, resilient and ready for the future.

  1. Session 1
  2. Session 2
  3. Session 3
  4. Session 4
  1. Session 1
  2. Session 2
  3. Session 3
  4. Session 4
  1. 09:00
  2. 09:30
  3. 10:00
  4. 10:30
  5. 11:00
  6. 11:30
  7. 12:00
  8. 12:30
  9. 13:00
  10. 13:30
  11. 14:00
  12. 14:30
  13. 15:00
  14. 15:30
  15. 16:00
  16. 16:30
  17. 17:00
  18. 17:30
  19. 18:00

09:00

Registration, breakfast and networking 09:00–09:30

09:30

Welcome 09:30–09:40

09:40

Keynote - Bernard Marr: data as an AI enabled strategic asset 09:40–10:20

With data increasingly being recognised as a strategic asset and artificial intelligence developing fast, global futurist, author and business advisor, Bernard Marr, provides his view of current and future trends in AI, and the opportunities and challenges facing organisations in realising the potential of data as an AI enabled asset.

10:20

A risk‑based approach to quality: why traditional audits can’t keep up 10:20–11:15

The traditional “pass or fail” audit model isn’t keeping up with today’s supply‑chain reality. This session explores how organisations can shift to a more intentional, risk‑based approach, one that delivers meaningful data, drives performance improvements, and strengthens resilience. Instead of asking “Did we pass?”, we’ll explore how audits can help teams ask the far more valuable question: “What’s the plan now?”

This session is being hosted by the BSI.

The solo quality manager 10:20–11:15

What happens when you are a quality “team” of just one? Explore the challenges of being the sole quality professional in small- and medium-sized organisations, and the challenges for SMEs in delivering on quality.

Speakers to be announced.

One system to rule them all? 10:20–11:15

This session examines the ‘integrated’ management system concept, and whether ‘enabling’ professions are collaborating effectively enough to streamline operating governance, assurance and improvement to help organisations deliver performance and mitigate risk with agility in today’s operating environment.

Speakers to be announced.

Digital transformation: a technical challenge or a business challenge? 10:20–11:15

Reports suggest that AI projects are failing at a higher rate than other types of technology-based projects. This panel discussion considers why and how organisations can avoid failure and deliver desired value in AI projects and digital transformation in general, and the role quality professionals can play.

Speakers to be announced.

11:15

Morning break 11:15–11:35

11:35

Leading product quality 11:35–12:30

The point of managing quality is to provide superior products and services. This session explores the organisational conditions, culture and tools required to design, deliver and support trusted product and service quality by looking at common challenges and learning from aerospace to semi-conductors in the pursuit of ‘zero defects’.

Speakers to be announced.

The people vs the system 11:35–12:30

Employee engagement and mental health are at a low point in Europe and dropping globally. At the same time the quality profession is balancing the technical systems for managing quality, often driven by standards and conformity, with the need to engage the wider organisation in collaborating to deliver quality outcomes. This session explores the inherent tension in socio-technical systems.

Speakers to be announced.

Digital standards in a digital world 11:35–12:30

Is our approach to standards keeping up with the rapidly changing digital landscape? How could the digitalisation of standards help industry in the design, manufacture and management of products and services? How can standards development keep pace with changes in the external environment? In this interactive session, put your questions to our expert panel from the global quality ecosystem.

Speakers to be announced.

Session placeholder - TBC 11:35–12:30

Details to be announced soon.

12:30

Lunch and networking 12:30–13:45

13:45

Keynote - Mike Turner: Mind the quality gap 13:45–14:10

In partnership with Cranfield University, the CQI has identified seven gaps that prevent quality from delivering optimum business value. These include integration, alignment, capability, measurement, perception, professional roles and leadership. In this session, we explore these in more detail and look at how the profession can begin to address these.

14:10

Conformity or capability: are we on the same page? 14:10–15:00

This session explores the role of management systems from conception to certification in driving organisational capability and organisational performance. The session will reference: recent research commissioned by UKAS on the business value of accredited management systems certification; recent research commissioned by the CQI on quality management as a strategic performance driver; and the needs and expectations of the industry.

Speakers to be announced.

Session placeholder - TBC 14:10–15:00

Details to be announced soon.

Session placeholder - TBC 14:10–15:00

Details to be announced soon.

Humans at the heart of quality 14:10–15:00

Every need for quality has a human story at its heart. In this session, we hear first-hand case studies from businesses who put people at the heart of everything they do and demonstrate the value of a strong, personable quality culture.

Speakers to be announced.

AI enabled improvement 14:10–15:00

This session explores how AI is democratising problem solving and business improvement, what that means for expert continuous improvement practitioners and the organisations they serve, and how to get started.

Speakers to be announced.

15:00

Afternoon break 15:00–15:20

15:20

From gatekeeper to gamechanger 15:20–16:15

Discover how business partnering is reshaping the role of the quality professional and enabling quality across organisations. Drawing on CQI research and real-world examples, this session explores the collaborative, influence-led practice that drives better decisions and outcomes.

Speakers to be announced.

Session placeholder - TBC 15:20–16:15

Details to be announced soon.

Session placeholder - TBC 15:20–16:15

Details to be announced soon.

ISO9001:2026 - changes and implications for the quality profession 15:20–16:15

The updates to ISO 9001 are in progress – so what does this mean for our profession? This session explores the drivers for change in ISO 9001 impact, what value this might bring to certified organisations and the standard and how the conformity assessment sector will be approaching the transition.

Speakers to be announced.

16:15

Closing remarks 16:15–16:30

16:30

Drinks reception and networking 16:30–17:30

17:30

The International Quality Awards 2026 17:30–18:30