Dear colleagues,
We are delighted to invite you to register for the AHUA and AHEP Conference Partnership: Professional Services as the Catalyst for Collaboration, hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University on Friday 11th September.
For 2026, the delegate ticket price is £175 + VAT.
In order to be as flexible as possible, a quota of discounted tickets are available for delegates who meet one of the following criteria:
- Purchasing tickets in bulk from the same institution (3 or more tickets)
- You/your institution are currently experiencing financial hardship
If you believe you may be eligible for a discounted rate, please email assistant@yourvision-events.com with the following information:
- Full name
- Email address
- Institution
- Number of tickets you wish to purchase
- A brief outline of you/your institution’s circumstances beyond that of others in the sector so we can consider your request
All requests will be reviewed individually, and a member of the event team will be in touch regarding eligibility.
The final deadline for bookings is Thursday 27th August.
Conference Theme
AHUA and AHEP have long shared an interest in the role of professional services in delivering university success and sustainability and, given this shared interest, we have decided to collaborate on a special joint conference for Autumn 2026. Bringing together a diverse range of roles across professional services leadership, specialist expertise and broader talent enables us to deliver a conference with a difference. Something proudly experiential, creative and forward looking, benefitting from the range of specialisms and the diversity of talent that exists across UK universities.
Having decided at our respective boards to collaborate a joint development group felt that we had a unique opportunity to explore that very subject, the role of collaboration and partnership that the two professional associations are role modelling but for universities and for the future success and sustainability of the sector. Our joint conference, will explore our theory, that collaboration within, between and beyond universities will be a critical part of the sector future.
- Collaboration is what will enhance productivity, morale and quality within institutions, breaking down silos and benefitting from transparent, cross organisational working
- Collaboration is what will allow the HE market to secure efficiencies and change size and shape in ways that combine efficiency with student success and academic quality
- Collaboration is what will help connect universities with their communities, with changing industry and with public services in ways that enhance public benefit and the global reputation of universities as a social good
The conference, as well as including respected and high profile provocations from UUK President and Manchester Metropolitan Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcolm Press CBE DL, will use highly participative and creative co production lab space where delegates will explore the art of the possible, helping to define what success might look like and how to get there. Delegates will leave having created an initial blueprint for collaboration for the sector and equipped to craft and accelerate collaboration within and between their own institutions.
We look forward to members of AHUA and AHEP joining us to meet new people, explore new ideas and be part of an exciting showcase of the collaborative ambition of professional services in UK HE.
The conference will take place in the Dalton Building at Manchester Metropolitan University (M1 5GD). Conference accommodation is not included in your package and must be booked directly by yourselves where required. Please see our recommended hotels on the accommodation page.
We do hope you will join us and the team at the conference and we very much look forward to welcoming you to Manchester in September.
Best wishes,
Colin Ferguson, Executive Director, AHEP
&
Ben Vulliamy, Executive Director, AHUA