Feedback

Winter Conference - Programme

27 - 28 November 2025
Aston University

All events take place at Conference Aston.

Thursday 27th November

Conference Aston, Aston University

Exclusive Tour of Aston University

 

This session will be delivered back at Conference Aston after the campus tour.

Enjoy lunch and networking with fellow members and partners.

Melissa Browne, CUBO Chair & Nysa Pradhan, CUBO Excutive Director

Mary Curnock Cook, CBE

Mary’s session will cover a broad range of perspectives on today’s higher education issues including how they impact recruitment and student experience, and the challenges for higher education leadership and staff in an underfunded sector.  She doesn’t promise any solutions but will take an optimistic view of the future and suggest some ways to navigate towards success.  

Session details to follow

Enjoy refreshments and networking with fellow members and partners.

Session details to follow

Melissa Browne, CUBO Chair  

Conference Aston, Aston University

Conference Aston, Aston University

Join us for an informal dinner, with opportunities to network with fellow members and partners – and, if you'd like, take part in a game! 

 

Friday 28th November

Conference Aston, Aston University

Student First Group

A first look at the findings of new research into commuting student trends in the UK and Ireland.

Rody Vonk, Innovation Expert

This two-part (45 minutes + 60 minutes, with a 45-minute break) session combines a short
keynote with a full 90-minute Problem Solving Sprint, offering a hands-on, high-impact experience designed specifically for HE commercial services leaders.

Led by innovation expert Rody Vonk, the session blends design thinking, lean experimentation, and creative ideation techniques to help delegates tackle real challenges with actionable solutions.

Participants will work in small teams to identify key problems, reframe them creatively, generate ideas, and design low-risk experiments within a dynamic, outcome-focused environment.

Enjoy refreshments and networking with fellow members and partners 

Rody Vonk, Innovation Expert

This two-part (45 minutes + 60 minutes, with a 45-minute break) session combines a short
keynote with a full 90-minute Problem Solving Sprint, offering a hands-on, high-impact experience designed specifically for HE commercial services leaders.

Led by innovation expert Rody Vonk, the session blends design thinking, lean experimentation, and creative ideation techniques to help delegates tackle real challenges with actionable solutions.

Participants will work in small teams to identify key problems, reframe them creatively, generate ideas, and design low-risk experiments within a dynamic, outcome-focused environment.

Celia Gaze, Founder & CEO, The Wellbeing Farm

Discover how one woman transformed a struggling farm into a thriving, sustainable business and what universities can learn from her conscious approach to growth, resilience, and revenue.

Melissa Browne, CUBO Chair 

A final chance to connect and share experiences with peers and partners over lunch. 

This site uses cookies and other tracking technologies to assist with navigation and your ability to provide feedback, analyse your use of the site and services and assist with our member communication efforts. Privacy Policy. Accept cookies Cookie Settings