Heritage Day 2026: Heritage Connects

Heritage Day is a leading annual sector conference, run by the Heritage Alliance for over 10 years. Our flagship event offers heritage leaders, staff, and volunteers a unique forum to hear from decision-makers, gain skills, and foster connections. This year’s Heritage Day will be held on Wednesday 4th March, hosted in-person at One Great George Street. The conference generates sector-wide interest, attracting attendees from charities, government departments, academia, funding bodies, and commercial organisations. 

Our theme for 2026 is 'Heritage Connects', a celebration of how heritage builds bridges between communities, people and places every day: from local traditions to international collaboration. Exploring questions of belonging, inclusion, and relevance, our programme for 2026 will shine a light on whose stories are told, how heritage shapes identity and wellbeing, and why connecting with our past matters for our collective future.

This year our keynote speech will be delivered by Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, co-CEOs of Historic England, and we will be joined by the Heritage Minister, Baroness Twycross, to deliver a ministerial address to the sector. The conference will also feature the 2025 Ecclesiastical Heritage Heroes awards ceremony, recognising excellence in volunteering.

Outline Programme:

9:00 Registration : Exhibition and networking space open. Tea and coffee served.

10:00 Introducing Heritage Day 2026 : Conference begins. Welcome comments by Carole Souter CBE, Chair of the Heritage Alliance

10:15 Ministerial Address and Q&A : The Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross delivers the annual ministerial address to the sector, followed by audience questions.

10:45 From Local to Global: International Report Launch : Emma Collins (Europa Nostra UK) presents the latest research from the Heritage Alliance in a new report, published today, exploring international collaboration, cultural diplomacy and soft power. Emma is joined in conversation by Magnus von Wistinghausen (World Monuments Fund) and Rob Woodside (Europa Nostra UK).

11:15 Sector Spotlight: Nature Towns and Cities with NLHF : This session will explore how working with local authorities and communities aims to put parks and natural heritage at the heart of local decision-making. Isabel Hunt, Executive Director at the National Lottery Heritage Fund in conversation with Rachel Pierce, Partnership and Engagement Manager at Lewisham Council.

11:30 What Works in Westminster? : Join Shadow Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson and UNESCO World Heritage APPG Chair, Jonathan Davis MP, for a fireside chat with our CEO Lizzie Glithero-West digging into how best heritage organisations can engage with key stakeholders in Westminster, from opposition to government and from commons to lords.

12:00-13:20 LUNCH, EXHIBITION AND NETWORKING

13:20 Chair’s Address: Heritage Connects : The Chair of the Heritage Alliance, Carole Souter CBE, delivers the Chair’s Address on the theme of Heritage Connects.

13:30 Sector Spotlight: Introducing Heritage Connectedness with the National Trust : Sharing recent research by University of Derby and National Trust which has established ‘Heritage Connectedness’ – an individual’s subjective sense of relationship with heritage – as a distinct, measurable and modifiable psychological construct, and a significant predictor of mental wellbeing, pro-environmentalism and conservation behaviours.

13:40 Rooted in Place: Connected Landscapes : Using the South Downs as a living case study, join representatives working across this landscape to explores how heritage can deepen people's connection to the places on their doorstep — and what lessons this holds for landscapes everywhere. A discussion between representatives from the South Downs National Park Authority, National Trails UK, the Weald and Downland Museum and the Heritage Railways Association.

14:15   Sector Spotlight: 50 Years of Community Impact with AHF : For 50 years, the Architectural Heritage Fund has supported the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for community benefit. Matthew Mckeague, CEO of AHF, explores key projects demonstrating the extraordinary potential for heritage to support local regeneration efforts by bringing people together for social and economic benefit.

14:25 Protecting, Places, People, and the Skills That Hold Them Together : Laura Carter, Customer Segment Director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, will share the human story behind heritage protection from the perspective of someone who works in an organisation safeguarding our most treasured places. She’ll explore how Ecclesiastical not only insures historic buildings, but invests in the craftspeople and skills that keep them alive, helping heritage connect, inspire, and endure for future generations.

14:40 Ecclesiastical’s Heritage Heroes Awards : The presentation of the 2025 Ecclesiastical Heritage Heroes Awards, recognising excellence in heritage volunteering. The awards are run by the Heritage Alliance, thanks to the generous support of Ecclesiastical Insurance.

15:00-15:35 NETWORKING AND REFRESHMENT BREAK

15:30 Sector Stories: Vital Connectors with the Canal & River Trust : The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries globally, compounded by low levels of nature connectedness and high levels of wellbeing inequalities. Heather Clarke, Strategy and Impact Director at CRT, explores new research showing how historic canal networks are uniquely positioned to serve as a vital urban connector, supporting nature and offering local, free and open access for people. 

15:45 Heritage Beyond the Classroom: Connected Learning : Bringing together educators, parents, community volunteers and heritage professionals, this panel explores how connecting children with their local heritage can enrich the curriculum, build belonging, and open doors for young people who need it most.

16:20 Keynote Address : The 2026 Heritage Day Keynote will be delivered by Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, co-CEOs of Historic England. The keynote will be followed by an audience Q&A led by our Chair, Carole Souter CBE.

16:55 Closing Remarks : Closing reflections by Carole Souter CBE, Chair of the Heritage Alliance

17:00 End of Conference

Speakers Include:

• Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, CEOs of Historic England (Sector Keynote)
• Baroness Twycross, Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling and DCMS Lords Minister (Ministerial Address)
• Carole Souter CBE, Chair of the Heritage Alliance (Heritage Alliance Keynote)
• Clare de Bathe, Director of the Weald and Downland Living Museum
• Laura Carter, Customer Segment Director at Ecclesiastical Insurance
• Heather Clarke, Strategy and Impact Director at the Canal and River Trust
• Emma Collins, Europa Nostra Council Member
• Jonathan Davies MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Matthew Harper-Duffy, Founder of Local History Hub
• Polly Martin, Chief Executive of National Trails UK
• Matthew Mckeague, CEO of the Architectural Heritage Fund
• Steve Oates, Chief Executive of the Heritage Railway Association
• Lord Stephen Parkinson, Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport
• Destine Pinzi, Proud Places Ambassador at the Heritage of London Trust
• Alice Purkiss, Head of Heritage Partnerships at the University of Oxford
• Anooshka Rawden, Cultural Heritage Lead at South Downs National Park
• Magnus Von Wistinghausen, Executive Director of the World Monuments Fund
• Rob Woodside, Chair of Europa Nostra UK

Heritage Day is made possible thanks to the generous support of our Corporate Partners, Ecclesiastical Insurance.