Governance Now 2026: Purpose & Place
Event details
- CGA Event
- Mon 2 & Tue 3 November, 2026
- In-person, Middlesbrough Town Hall, Middlesbrough TS1 2QJ, and Online
- Tickets now on sale - tiered ticketing system, suitable for different circumstances
Governance Now 2026 – the flagship conference exploring cultural sector governance, presented by Clore Leadership and the Cultural Governance Alliance (CGA) – returns to Middlesbrough on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.
This year, we’re delighted to partner with Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, and your conference ticket includes an exclusive private view of the Turner Prize 2026 exhibition at MIMA, offering delegates the chance to experience one of the UK’s biggest cultural events before the conference begins.
Politics change. Good governance responds. But how can boards lead through change while staying true to their purpose and the places they serve? As political priorities shift, new devolved powers reshape decision-making, funding remains uncertain and public expectations continue to evolve, boards are being asked to lead with greater confidence, clarity and accountability than ever before.
This year’s conference will ask trustees and executive leaders: how can courageous governance create the conditions for organisations, leaders and communities to thrive?
Why attend:
- Hear from leading voices from across culture, arts funding, local government and public life.
- Explore practical approaches to today’s biggest governance challenges, from devolution and ethical fundraising to AI, disability, crisis leadership and public trust.
- Exchange ideas and experiences with fellow Chairs, Trustees, CEOs and executive leaders from across the UK.
- Take away new tools, questions and approaches to strengthen your board’s effectiveness and resilience.
- Be challenged by fresh thinking that will help you navigate governance for a rapidly changing landscape.
Governance Now feels like a major event in the calendar and a brilliant networking opportunity
Session topics will include:
- Opening Keynote from Dawn Airey CBE, newly appointed Chair, Arts Council England
- State of the Nation Morning Keynote – perspectives from key sector leaders debating the State of the Nation. Topics will include the devolution agenda, political polarisation, and sector hyper-visibility that cultural institutions are facing.
- Purposeful Philanthropy – this session will explore how boards can balance financial resilience while remaining focused on their purpose and organisational values, amongst intense funding pressures and heightened scrutiny.
- Ditch the Default: Many cultural organisations become charitable companies by default, without ever being told there are alternatives. This session looks beyond that norm to the structures fewer trustees know well and explores what these alternatives might offer a cultural organisation. It will also examine the gaps in standard model constitutions, to help make governance work in practice.
- Local Government: Change and Strategic Partnership: explores how evolving local government structures are reshaping the cultural landscape and what this means for governance. The session examines how boards can build stronger strategic relationships with local authorities to maximise impact and influence.
Join us on Monday 2 November for a dynamic, interactive taster session Are you good in a crisis? Introducing the Culture Crisis Lab – this session introduces a participatory model for co-creating disaster recovery procedures alongside your staff, volunteers and geographic neighbours.
Speaker list so far:
Fiona Allan – Strategy & Governance Consultant
Dawn Airey CBE – Chair, Arts Council England
Keith Arrowsmith – Managing Director, ProArtsPlus
Paul Blundell – Head of Digital Research and Development, AMA
Ada Burns – Chair, Teesside University
Chris Cooke– Mayor of Middlesbrough
Erica Crump – Managing Partner, Bates Wells
Catherine Holden – Consultant, Facilitator, Coach
Abid Hussain – Director, Diversity, Arts Council England
Charlie Kemp – Head of Creative Place at Tees Valley Combined Authority
Gaye Kirby – Head of Culture, Middlesbrough Council
Dr Suzann McLean MBE – CEO/Artistic Director of Theatre Peckham
Andrew Miller – UK Arts Access Champion for All In
Dave Moutrey – Director of Culture, Manchester
Karen O’Neil – CEO, HOME Manchester
Sarah Pickthall – co-chair, Access All Areas Productions
Mark Robinson – Founder, Thinking Practice
Anna Rowe – Arts Consultant
Moira Sinclair – Chair, Factory International & Chair, Clore Leadership
Mark Simpson – Incoming Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Teesside University
Jo Verrent – Director, Unlimited
Bill Vince – Senior Relationship Manager, Arts Council England
Vici Wreford-Sinnott – Artistic Director, Little Cog
Find out more about the speakers here.
Tickets
As part of our commitment to keeping Governance Now as accessible as possible, we’ve set up ticket bands carefully, so please purchase the right ticket for you, your organisation and your circumstance.
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Ticket for one person from a large organisation (100 or more full time employees) | Full Rate: £240 + VAT |
| Ticket for one person from a medium organisation (16-99 full time employees) | Full Rate: £185 + VAT |
| Ticket for one person from a small organisation (1-15 full time employees) | Full Rate: £125 + VAT |
| Ticket for an individual (e.g. freelancers or those self-funding their place independently of an organisation) | Full Rate: £60 + VAT |
| Get Into Governance Ticket | Full Rate: £40 + VAT |
| Tees Valley Community Ticket | Full Rate: £50 + VAT |
| Online Ticket | Full Rate: £65 + VAT |
Discounts and Accessible Tickets
Organisations sending multiple delegates to the conference can claim a 50% discount on their second ticket. Please get in touch to gain access to this offer: cga@cloreleadership.org (A maximum of 2 tickets can be purchased per order)
We recognise that some organisations might not be in a position to fund their Chair/Trustee/aspiring Trustee, etc. – so we are providing a rate for individuals paying independently. If you are also associated with an organisation, please name the organisation in your registration form.
Get Into Governance tickets are reserved for those who are currently underrepresented on boards. We’re keen to welcome people who identify as LGBTQIA+, working-class, D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent, those from Global Majority backgrounds, and young people (30 and under). If you wish to gain access to this ticket band, please email cga@cloreleadership.org and tell us how you qualify. Please note these tickets are limited and available on first come, first serve basis.
We are pleased to be working with a number of partners to make subsidised tickets available specifically for those living and working in the Tees Valley. If you wish to gain access to this ticket band, please email cga@cloreleadership.org and tell us how you qualify. Please note these tickets are limited and available on first come, first serve basis.
An online ticket provides access to a live stream of plenary sessions and some breakout sessions during the conference day via Zoom.
Discount codes cannot be applied retrospectively when tickets have been already purchased. Tickets are non-refundable once purchased.
Need support or have any questions?
To find out more about ticket support, accessibility, or if you have any other questions about the ticketing options or the conference in general, please contact: cga@cloreleadership.org
Traveling to Middlesbrough?
Click here for more information on hotels and conference event locations.
Governance Now 2026: Purpose & Place is supported by the following partners:
