The Global Changemakers Conference 2026: Ambition | England
England
8:30am to 5:00pm // 11 November 2026
Register now
“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo
Changemakers: Ambition
This year’s conference theme is Changemakers: Ambition – a rallying cry for marketers to reclaim their rightful place at the heart of business growth, leadership and societal progress.
This is not ambition in its outdated, aggressive form. This is ambition rooted in purpose, culture and collective progress. It is about leaders who drive growth while shaping organisations, brands and societies for the better.
Ambition is what moves marketing from possibility to progress. It is the optimism to see what could be and the drive to make it happen. For marketers, ambition means setting bold objectives, creating meaningful change for businesses and society, and turning imagination into action. It is personal and collective, fuelled by energy, intention and the courage to pursue growth – even when the path is not certain.
Why Ambition? Why Now?
Marketing sits at the heart of business growth, leadership and societal progress, yet too often underplays its own impact. At a time when businesses are navigating uncertainty, transformation and pressure, ambition becomes the force that reconnects confidence with responsibility.
For marketers and business leaders, ambition is about aiming higher, for businesses, careers, industries and communities and believing that better outcomes are possible. It is about restoring pride in what marketing can achieve, telling those stories more boldly, and giving people permission to be confident about their role in shaping the future.
Incremental thinking is rife across business. But that does not drive the step changes we need to see. We need to think bigger: on innovation, on collaboration, on decision-making, on business process, and on where we look for inspiration and commercial value.
Ambition for our careers. Ambition for our brands and businesses. Ambition for the future of work and growth. For Marketers Who Mean Business.
Venue
QEII Conference CentreBroad Sanctuary
London
SW1P 3EE
Travel by Tube:
* St. James's Park - 4 minutes walk
* Westminster - 6 minutes walk
* Victoria Station - 14 minutes walk
Date
11 November 2026Time
8:30am - 5:00pmDress Code
Smart Casual5Hours of inspiring, actionable content
10+ Ambitious Speakers
450+ Likeminded marketers who mean business
The Agenda So Far...
Libby Jackson OBE, Head of Space, Science Museum; Former CEO, UK Space Agency and Former Flight Director, Mission Control
“It's Not Rocket Science (Except When It Is)”
A leading expert in human spaceflight, Libby shares what she learnt about decision making from being a Flight Director at Mission Control; how Space is misunderstood and what ambition looks like for the Space industry.
Marcia Kilgore, Serial Entrepreneur
Rebel with a cause. What does ambition feel like after 5 successful companies over 3 decades?
The founder of spa smash Bliss, Soap and Glory, FitFlop, and Beauty Pie tells us what it takes to find and focus on the next opportunity, when you’ve not only already “made it”, but changed the rules of each sector you enter, and then sold or scaled and moved on.
Simon Eyles, CoCEO, Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate
“Where ambition is done proper - The Story of Yorkshire Tea”
Simon explores the journey of Yorkshire Tea in becoming the No1 Tea brand in the UK, sharing the impact of “Where everything is done proper” and how it reflects not only their attitude to marketing and investment but to the values across the business.
Hannah Critchlow, Neuroscientist and Author
“The 21st Century Brain : Reasons to be cheerful”
86 billion nerve cells. Each nerve cell has 86 trillion connections moving at 120 meters per second. The human brain is awesome, our skills - unique. Hannah will share cutting edge neuroscience that is profoundly empowering, and demonstrates that it is human skills such as curiosity; compassion; communication and creativity that will help us navigate and flourish in our era of technological and societal change.
Nir Eyal, Author
Beyond Belief : the science and the system to go further than you thought possible
What we believe shapes what we see, how we feel, and what we do. But beliefs are not facts. They are tools. And they can change. Eyal will describe how learning to put down the ones holding us back and choosing the right ones can unlock lasting motivation, resilience and new ambitions – in every part of our lives.
Sam Tomlinson, CEO, mediasense
Ambition Has No Finish Line
Brutal terrain. Physical breakdown. Extreme heat. Relentless fatigue. For days on end. With no real rest. The Marketing Society Member Sam Tomlinson unpacks how ambition drives mental will and the capacity for maximum human endurance. Prepare to rethink your limits.
TICKETS & PRICES
During August you can save £100
Final Early Bird
Member Ticket
Member Ticket (£795) Now £695 + VAT
Your code to use: CONF26FINAL
Final Early Bird
Member + Guest Ticket
If you bring a guest, you save £150: Member and Guest ticket (£1595) Now £1495 + VAT
Your code to use: CONF26FINAL
Groups of 5 or more
Book 5 or more tickets and receive a discount on the full member price - email our team to take advantage of this
Watch our 2025 Conference highlights
Still deciding?
Here are six reasons to be in the room
In just one day, get the reset every ambitious marketer needs
Hear the stories behind marketing's boldest moves, from human spaceflight to five-time founders
Understand what ambition really looks like in an AI-driven world
Leave with ideas ready for action, not just theory
Spend the day with 450 of the sharpest minds in senior marketing
Go back ready to make a bigger case for marketing, and for your place at the heart of growth
HEADLINE Partners
PREMIUM Partner
Tech Partner
Official Merchandise Partner
Media Partner
CPD LEARNING OBJECTIVES
HOURS
This session qualifies for 5 hours of self-declared CPD learning. Please check with your professional body if this activity qualifies under your scheme and retain this summary as confirmation for your CPD records.LEARNING OUTCOMES
By attending this conference, participants will be able to: 1. Gain insights into global marketing and leadership trends, exploring how world-class brands and leaders adapt to evolving market dynamics, technological disruption, and shifting consumer behaviours. 2. Reflect on diverse leadership philosophies and personal journeys, learning from CEOs, CMOs, and change-makers across industries about how they navigate uncertainty and drive innovation. Examine the intersection of creativity, data, and technology, understanding how marketing leaders balance performance metrics with brand purpose and human connection. 3. Identify strategies to future-proof brands and business models, drawing inspiration from case studies and discussions on brand resilience and sustainable growth.LEARNING OUTCOMES
4. Explore the role of marketers as drivers of societal impact, including how businesses can meaningfully contribute to broader cultural, environmental, and social change. 5. Network and share perspectives with global peers, fostering professional connections and collaborative thinking to solve common industry challenges.
I had the best day, The Marketing Society! I left feeling truly inspired 🚀
Charlene Gravesande
Event reviews
Get a sense of what the Changemakers Conference series is all about
A Day I Never Compromise
Leadership Lessons from the Global Conference
Abigail Dixon shares her thoughts on the 2025 Changemakers Challenge Conference
A day of enrichment and enlightenment
From new The Marketing Society President Dame Carolyn McCall's call for marketers to take their seat at the top table, to Zak Brown's McLaren turnaround story and Professor Green's raw and honest conversation about masculinity, the 2025 Changemakers Conference was a day of enrichment and enlightenment which proved that at its best marketing connects commercial realism with real human lives.
Many memorable and thought-provoking sessions
See the visual representations of the sessions from our 2025 Changemakers Conference thanks to Ludic Creatives
"The content was truly 'all killer and no filler' - incredibly inspiring, thoughtful and actionable sessions, delivered by seriously talented speakers. The overall production was first class."
"I loved the event, inspirational and it went beyond brand marketing. Thank you"
"Format excellent. Single track not break out sessions keeps focus and interest. Amazing presenters with engaging stories. Professionally planned and run. Excellent event and I'm a first timer"
"I felt like I'd got complete ROI within the first hour! The event provided so much inspiration and again, made me proud to be part of The Marketing Society."
"I've left feeling inspired. I LOVED the people that told a great story and provided fresh insight. Thank you for sharing Dame Stephanie Shirey's inspirational career and the Bates vs Post office story is truly impactful and something I wouldn't have usually had access to."
ABOUT OUR PARTNERS
Ekimetrics
Ekimetrics is a global data science and AI company focused on helping businesses improve performance while advancing sustainability goals. Since 2006, it has specialized in scalable analytics solutions that balance financial results with long-term environmental and strategic impact, particularly in marketing measurement and business optimization. With around 400 experts working in integrated teams, the company delivers practical, business-focused solutions using its own data platform and pre-built AI tools, completing over 1,000 projects across more than 50 countries from four offices worldwide.Salesforce
Salesforce is the world’s leading customer relationship management technology (What is CRM?), helping you build and improve your customer relationships. Our free CRM makes it easy for small businesses to get organised and grow with the #1 AI CRM. And we’re helping organisations of all sizes unify their data and re-imagine their business for the world of AI with Agentforce, providing autonomous AI agents that take action for your employees and customers.THE FAQS
What are the nearest transport links?
The full venue address is: Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE
Travel by Taxi: The centre is located in central Westminster, making it easily accessible by taxi from anywhere in London
Travel by Tube:
- St. James's Park - 4 minutes walk
- Westminster - 6 minutes walk
- Victoria Station - 14 minutes walk
What are your terms and conditions?
For full terms and conditions for our events please see our FAQ page.
Do you offer discounted or special tickets for people currently between roles?
Yes - we offer a limited number of Sospeso tickets for individuals who are between roles and exploring their next steps. If this applies to you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
