Untapped Light Forum 2026
UNTAPPED LIGHT FORUM 2026
Making SEND and Neurodivergent Capability More Visible
Wednesday, 30 September 2026
5.30 pm to 10.00 pm
The Urban Farmer Project, 18 Wine Office Ct, London EC4A 3JR
Forum Place — £75 per person
50 places available
Includes Welcome Reception, Forum programme, supper and drinks.
Untapped Light is a new three-year initiative of Reflections of The Lord Mayor, beginning in 2026 with a City of London Forum exploring how SEND and neurodivergent capability and potential can be better recognised — and how recognition can lead to genuine opportunity, contribution and flourishing.
The inaugural Forum brings together perspectives from civic life, business, employment, education, healthcare, lived experience and creative practice, creating space for thoughtful discussion, different perspectives and new connections.
Talent is already there. Can our education, recruitment, and workplaces recognise it?
Why Attend?
Join an evening of conversation exploring how we can become better at recognising capability and potential that conventional measures do not always reveal — and what might help turn that recognition into meaningful opportunity.
You'll hear:
- different perspectives on SEND and neurodivergent capability;
- ideas around recognition, opportunity and progression;
- perspectives from civic life, employment, healthcare, organisational practice and lived experience;
- opportunities to ask questions and contribute to the conversation; and
- the chance to make useful connections with others interested in inclusive practice.
Come with questions. Leave with new perspectives, useful connections and something to carry forward.
The Evening
5.30 pm - Welcome Reception
6.40 pm - Founder's Welcome
6.50 pm - Artist's Insight
7.05 pm - Panel Forum
7.50 pm - Supper & Conversation
8.50 pm - Audience Questions
9.15 pm - Closing Reflections
9.35 pm - Presentation of the Untapped Light Roundel
9.45 pm - Networking
10.00 pm - Carriages
Meet the Speakers
The Forum brings together perspectives from civic life, education, organisational psychology, healthcare, employment and lived experience.
Naresh Sonpar CC
Chair, City of London Corporation Education Board
Chair, London Careers Festival
2026 Untapped Light Roundel Recipient & Forum Moderator
Sharing experience across finance, education and civic leadership, together with his lived experience of autism.
As this year's roundel recipient and moderator, Naresh will help guide the Forum conversation, draw connections between different perspectives, invite questions and exchange, and offer closing reflections and personal takeaways from the evening.
Robert Annis
Co-Founder, NEURO | Organisational Psychologist
Exploring neurodivergence, organisational life and how organisations can enable people to contribute and thrive.
Dr Larissa Stevenson
Associate Medical Director | Aviva UK Health
Bringing a clinical and employer perspective to workplace health, disability, inclusion and wellbeing.
Alderman Vincent Keaveny CBE
693rd Lord Mayor of the City of London | Chair, Progress Together
Bringing a civic and business perspective to widening opportunity, social mobility and the creation of more inclusive workplaces.
Programme timings may change slightly.
The Untapped Light Roundel
Light does not create the colour within stained glass.
It reveals what was already there.
The same can be true of human capability.
During the evening, guests will view a specially commissioned stained glass roundel by Orla Perdue, created in response to the inaugural Untapped Light conversation.
The roundel, We Make a Beautiful Garden, will be displayed during the Welcome Reception before being formally presented to Naresh Sonpar CC, the inaugural Untapped Light roundel recipient, later in the evening.
Inaugural Forum Sponsor
£3,500
One exclusive opportunity available
The Inaugural Forum Sponsor of Untapped Light 2026 will help make the evening possible while supporting a practical legacy around SEND and neurodivergent inclusion.
What the Inaugural Forum Sponsor Receives
The sponsor will receive:
- 10 complimentary Forum places for colleagues, clients, partners or guests;
- exclusive recognition as the Inaugural Forum Sponsor of Untapped Light 2026;
- a full-page advertisement in the Forum programme;
- acknowledgement during the evening and across relevant Forum communications;
- logo recognition within the Forum film and selected post-event material;
- the opportunity to display one sponsor-supplied roll-up banner, subject to venue arrangements;
- a selection of professional event photographs for use within the sponsor’s own communications; and
- recognition in the post-event Forum summary and legacy materials.
A Practical Legacy Beyond the Evening
The sponsorship will also establish an Untapped Light Forum Professional Development Award of up to £350, supporting one attendee to undertake relevant professional development connected with SEND or neurodivergent inclusion — creating a modest but practical legacy beyond the evening itself.
Applications will open to confirmed Forum attendees following the event.
Please contact chris.seow@LMReflects.London to discuss Forum Sponsorship
Practical Information
Supper
Later in the evening, guests will be served an individual supper as part of the Forum.
When booking, each guest will be asked to select one of the following:
Grilled Seabass, Quinoa & Salsa Verde
Grilled seabass with quinoa, courgette ribbons and salsa verde.
Middle Eastern Falafel & Quinoa
Falafel with hummus, chickpeas, quinoa and tahini cabbage.
Chimichurri Beef & Sweet Potato
Beef rump with sweet potato, peppers and chimichurri.
Teriyaki Chicken & Noodle Salad
Teriyaki chicken with noodles, seasonal greens and red chilli.
A Waitrose Fresh Fruit Kebab will be served afterwards.
Guests will also be asked during booking to advise us of any dietary requirements or food allergies.
Guests will also be asked during booking to advise us of any dietary requirements or food allergies.
Drinks
At the Welcome Reception, guests will be offered:
Grande Onore Prosecco Extra Dry
with
Waitrose No.1 Sparkling Elderflower Pressé
available as a non-alcoholic alternative.
With supper, guests will be able to enjoy:
- Cocoliche Blanco — white wine
- Cocoliche Malbec — red wine
- Waitrose No.1 Sparkling Elderflower Pressé — non-alcoholic
- Waitrose Essential Still Natural Mineral Water
- Waitrose Essential Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
Guests will be asked when booking to indicate their preferred drink with supper. This is primarily to help us plan quantities and does not restrict guests to that choice on the evening.
Photography & Filming
Official photography and filming will take place throughout the evening.
Guests can indicate their preferences during booking and should also speak to the registration team on arrival.
The Forum will be recorded but will not be livestreamed.
Refunds & Ticket Transfers
Refunds will be available until 5.00 pm on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
Tickets may be transferred to another attendee without charge.
Contact
For enquiries about the Forum or sponsorship opportunities:
Christopher Seow FRSA
Founder and Director
Reflections of The Lord Mayor