UNTAPPED LIGHT FORUM 2026

Making SEND and Neurodivergent Capability More Visible

Wednesday 25 November 2026
The Urban Farmer Project, 18 Wine Office Court, London EC4A 3JR
Reception from 6.15 pm | Forum begins 6.45 pm | Formal close 10.00 pm
Attire: Smart business/business attire. Please, no jeans.

Forum Place — £65 per person

Places are limited

Includes Welcome Reception, Forum programme, supper and drinks.

What potential are we currently failing to see?

Talent does not always present itself in ways that conventional education, recruitment or workplace systems readily recognise.

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 that recognition can lead to genuine opportunity and meaningful contribution.

The inaugural Forum brings together perspectives from civic life, business, employment, education, healthcare, lived experience and creative practice.

But this is not intended simply as an evening of speakers followed by questions.

The Forum is deliberately designed to move from listening, to conversation, to participation and reflection. Guests will hear different perspectives, continue the discussion in smaller groups over supper, and then bring questions, observations and experiences back into the wider room.

Talent is already there. Can our education, recruitment and workplaces recognise it?

Why Attend?

Join us for an evening exploring a deceptively simple question:

How do we become better at recognising SEND and neurodivergent capability and potential that conventional measures do not always reveal — and then turn that recognition into genuine opportunity and meaningful contribution?

During the evening you will:

• hear different perspectives on SEND and neurodivergent capability and potential;
• explore questions around recognition, confidence, opportunity and meaningful contribution;
• hear perspectives from civic life, employment, healthcare, organisational practice and lived experience;
• take part in a smaller table conversation over supper;
• have an opportunity to bring your own questions, observations and experiences into the wider Forum conversation; and
• make useful connections with others interested in recognising potential and creating opportunity.

You do not need to arrive with answers.

Come with questions. Leave better informed, with new perspectives, useful connections and something to carry forward.

The Evening

Your evening at a glance

6.15 pm — Reception & Welcome Drinks

Arrive, register, meet fellow guests and enjoy a welcome drink before the Forum begins.

6.45 pm — Why Untapped Light, and Why This Conversation?

A short introduction to the question at the heart of Untapped Light, why these different perspectives have come together and what we hope the evening might help us explore.

6.55 pm — Artist’s Insight: Orla Perdue

Stained glass artist Orla Perdue introduces the thinking behind her commissioned roundel, We Make a Beautiful Garden.

Her work provides an opening lens through which to consider how potential is recognised, how different perspectives influence what we see and what might otherwise remain overlooked.

7.10 pm — Four Perspectives: What Are We Failing to See?

Our four speakers respond to a common question from their different perspectives and experiences.

These short contributions are not intended to cover everything, but to introduce different viewpoints and identify questions and practical challenges the Forum can explore together.

7.40 pm — Moderated Conversation

Naresh Sonpar CC brings those perspectives together, exploring areas of agreement, difference and practical challenge.

The conversation will draw connections between the speakers’ contributions and begin identifying questions that guests might take into their table discussions.

8.10 pm — Shared Supper & Table Conversation

Guests move to their pre-assigned supper tables to continue the conversation in smaller groups while enjoying supper.

Tables will be allocated in advance, helping to bring together a mix of perspectives and experiences around each table.

Our question for the tables:

What potential are we currently failing to see — and what would help us recognise it earlier?

This is an opportunity to exchange experiences, challenge assumptions and explore what might make a difference in practice.

A5 notepads will be available for guests to record thoughts, observations and questions during the evening. Each table will also be encouraged to identify one or two points it would particularly like to bring back into the wider conversation.

9.00 pm — The Room Responds

Guests return to the wider Forum conversation.

Naresh will draw first on the table discussions before opening the Forum more broadly to questions, observations and responses from guests and speakers.

This is an opportunity to hear where different experiences point towards similar challenges, where perspectives differ and what might warrant further exploration.

9.30 pm — What Do We Take Forward?

What have we heard? What questions remain? And what might help us recognise potential and create meaningful opportunities?

The intention is not to manufacture a neat consensus, but to draw out what we have learned and consider what might be worth carrying forward.

9.45 pm — Roundel Presentation

The formal presentation of Orla Perdue’s stained-glass roundel, We Make a Beautiful Garden, to Naresh Sonpar CC, bringing together the evening's artistic and civic dimensions.

9.50 pm — Closing Reflections & Thanks

Final reflections and thanks to our speakers, artist, supporters and guests.

10.00 pm — Formal Close

Programme timings may change slightly.

Join the Conversation

Untapped Light is the beginning of a three-year conversation, not an attempt to find all the answers in one evening.

The inaugural Forum is intended to create space for different perspectives, informed discussion, useful challenge and questions worth pursuing.

We hope guests will leave better informed, with new perspectives, useful connections and something to carry forward.

Recognising Potential. Creating Opportunity.

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
2026 Untapped Light Roundel Recipient & Forum Moderator

Naresh brings experience across finance, education and civic leadership, together with his lived experience of autism.

As this year’s roundel recipient and moderator, he will guide the Forum conversation, draw connections between different perspectives, invite questions and exchange, and help the room consider what to take forward.

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.

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.

Practical Information

Supper

Guests will enjoy a pre-selected individual supper during the Shared Supper & Table Conversation.

When booking, each guest will choose their preferred supper from the options below. Their selected meal will be provided individually during the evening, allowing guests to remain at their tables and continue the conversation while they eat.

Guests will be allocated a supper table in advance.

Supper choices

Grilled Seabass, Quinoa & Salsa Verde
Grilled seabass with quinoa, courgette ribbons and salsa verde.
Dairy-free · Gluten-free · Contains fish, mustard, sulphur dioxide and sulphites

Middle Eastern Falafel & Quinoa
Falafel with hummus, chickpeas, quinoa and tahini cabbage.
Vegan · Gluten-free · Contains sesame

Chimichurri Beef & Sweet Potato
Beef rump with sweet potato, peppers and chimichurri.
Dairy-free · Gluten-free · Contains mustard

Teriyaki Chicken & Noodle Salad
Teriyaki chicken with noodles, seasonal greens and red chilli.
Dairy-free · Contains gluten, sesame and soybeans

A fresh fruit kebab will be offered afterwards.

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.

Drinks will remain available during the Shared Supper & Table Conversation.

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 17 November 2026.

Tickets may be transferred to another attendee without charge.

Inaugural Forum Sponsor

£4,000

One exclusive opportunity

The Inaugural Forum Sponsor of Untapped Light 2026 will help make the central conversation possible while supporting the evening’s wider reach and legacy.

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 double-page spread in the Forum programme;
• prominent website acknowledgement;
• acknowledgement at the opening of the Forum and across relevant Forum communications;
• prominent logo recognition in selected event materials;
• logo recognition within the Forum film and highlights film;
• recognition in the post-event Forum summary and legacy materials;
• the opportunity to display one sponsor-supplied roll-up banner, subject to venue arrangements; and
• a selection of professional event photographs for use within the sponsor’s own communications.

A Practical Legacy Beyond the Evening

Subject to sponsorship being secured, the Forum will establish an Untapped Light Forum Professional Development Award of up to £350, supporting one confirmed 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 after the Forum to eligible attendees, whether attending on a paid or complimentary place.

Please contact chris.seow@LMReflects.London to discuss Forum Sponsorship.

Contact

For enquiries about the Forum or sponsorship opportunities:

Christopher Seow FRSA
Founder and Convenor, Untapped Light
Recognising Potential. Creating Opportunity.

chris.seow@LMReflects.London

Among Those Joining the Conversation

Alongside our speakers and contributors, the Forum will bring together guests from business, education, civic life, healthcare, the voluntary sector and organisations concerned with SEND, neurodiversity, employment and opportunity.

We are pleased that the following are among those joining the conversation:

• Melissa Annis — OSF Digital
• Virginia Bond — Worshipful Company of Cooks
• De Bradshaw — Bradshaw Property Associates
• John Burton — Pollinating London Together
• Laurent Chan
• Sylviane Cheong — Business In Globe Co. Ltd
• Emma Dalmayne — Autistic Inclusive Meets
• Adam Doyle — University of East London
• Lady Lucy French — Fleet Street Quarter
• Jacqui Gavin BEM — Marine Society & Sea Cadets
• Ami Haralambous — Marine Society & Sea Cadets
• Professor Magda Hercheui — UCL School of Management
• Mark Hosea — Shakespeare’s Globe
• Suzy Jakeman BEM — The Urban Farmer Project
• Taz Khan MBE — London’s Community Kitchen
• Sam Livingstone — Signal and Craft
• Jenny Payne — Autistic Inclusive Meets
• Professor Sara Rankin — Imperial College London
• Richard Salter — The LEGO Group
• Alexandra Taverner Garcia — Pollinating London Together
• Lala Thorpe — Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust
• Santanu Vasant — LD Training Services Limited
• Mark Williams — Thrive With Purpose

This list will continue to grow as guests confirm their attendance.