The National Rural Conference 2026
Explore The Conference Themes
What's On At The National Rural Conference
Attend one session, several sessions or the full conference programme. Expand each day to discover the sessions, confirmed speakers and choose the discussions that matter most to you.
Monday 14 September 2026
10:00 - 11:30
Rural Fair Funding
Hear the latest on rural fair funding, funding reform and the future of local government finance.
Kerry Booth
Chief Executive
Rural Services Network
Opening the Conference and introducing the key themes, discussions and objectives for the session.
Cllr Roger Phillips OBE
Chair
Rural Services Network
Setting the scene for the future of Rural Fair Funding and the challenges facing rural local authorities.
Speaker From Grant Thornton To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Discover how RSN-commissioned research is measuring the true cost of remoteness and strengthening the case for fairer rural funding.
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
13:30 - 15:30
Rural Economy And Regeneration
Exploring the latest funding landscape for rural local authorities and communities.
Matthew Gorton
Deputy Director
National Innovation Centre For Rural Enterprise (NICRE)
Exploring how innovation can unlock new opportunities for rural communities, businesses and local economies.
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Tuesday 15 September 2026
10:00 - 11:30
Rural Affordable Housing And Planning
Exploring rural housing solutions, planning policy and practical approaches to delivering affordable homes.
Cllr Rick Deller
Executive Board Member for Housing, Regulatory and Customer Services
Discover how an award-recognised approach is helping to prevent homelessness through early intervention and partnership working.
Speaker From English Rural
To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Representing one of England’s leading specialist rural housing associations, dedicated to delivering affordable homes that help rural communities thrive.
Viv Griffiths
National Practice Development Manager
Sharing insights from the Rural Homelessness Rough Sleeping Snapshot Pilot and what it reveals about hidden homelessness in rural communities.
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
13:30 - 15:30
Rural Connectivity
Discover how better digital connectivity can support rural communities, businesses and public services.
Sodhi Dhillon
Stakeholder Engagement Manager
Exploring the Digital Voice switchover, what it means for rural communities, and the support available for vulnerable residents.
Cllr Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin
Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs
Sharing Devon’s experience of championing better broadband connectivity for rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Wednesday 16 September 2026
10:00 - 11:30
Rural Net Zero
Discover practical solutions to help rural communities achieve net zero while supporting economic growth.
Neil Harrison
Director
Sharing expertise on the role of renewable energy in creating resilient, sustainable rural communities.
Kate Watson
Technical Lead
Acknowledging the barriers to smooth rural retrofit delivery and exploring practical solutions.
Patrick Allcorn
Head of Local Net Zero
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
Offering a national perspective on local Net Zero priorities and the opportunities for rural communities.
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
13:30 - 15:30
Rural Making A Difference
See how data, research and local experience can turn rural challenges into compelling evidence for change.
Aran Prince-Tappe
Rural Policy Team Lead
Strategic Briefing and Contracts
Examining what the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act could mean for rural communities and local government.
Suzanne Wigmore
CEO Citizens Advice Wiltshire and
Rural Issues Group Member
Bringing extensive experience of the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities.
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Thursday 17 September 2026
10:00 - 11:30
Rural Access To Health And Care Services
Discuss the challenges and opportunities in delivering accessible rural health and care services.
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
13:30 - 15:30
Rural Transport
Find out how innovative transport solutions are improving connectivity for rural communities.
Cllr Christine Wise
Leader
Sharing Rutland’s innovative approach to improving rural transport through demand responsive services.
Victoria Nicholls
Transport Service Manager
Examining how demand responsive transport can help improve access to services and opportunities in rural areas.
Thomas Ableman
Founder
Bringing fresh ideas and practical insights from a leading voice in transport innovation.
Speaker To Be Confirmed
Announcement coming soon!
With Thanks To Our Supporters
Why Attend?
