Authored by Care Innovation Summit
Published 8 June 2026
In just a few days, Care Innovation Summit will be coming to the Business Design Centre – a one-day event designed for care home, home care, complex care leaders and those working across healthcare design and build. This highly anticipated social care conference will bring together professionals from across the sector, making it a must-attend social care conference for 2026.
With three dedicated content streams: Future of Care, Dementia Care and Healthcare Design and Build, the summit will unite senior leaders, operators, policymakers and innovators who are actively shaping the future of care.
Delegates can expect to hear from leading care providers, specialists, policymakers and influential voices such as Avnish Goyal CBE (Hallmark Care Homes), Ruth Brown (Home Instead) and Raina Summerson (Agincare), on the strategies they have successfully implemented within their care businesses, while gaining practical insights into how to take immediate and long-term steps to drive sustainable growth.
This article highlights everything care leaders need to know about this leading adult social care programme, the speaker line-up and what lessons they can expect to learn.
Adult Social Care Programme: Key Themes Shaping the Future of Care
Guided by an advisory board made up of some of the most respected voices in the sector, the Care Innovation Summit agenda has been carefully curated to address the most pressing challenges facing providers today.
From financial instability and inspection delays to workforce shortages, funding pressures and healthcare integration, the sector continues to navigate uncertainty. At the same time, the increasing role of data, AI and digital transformation is reshaping how care is delivered and managed.
This social care conference is designed to help leaders tackle these challenges head-on through a forward-thinking programme that focuses on:
- Future-proofing care businesses through financial resilience, funding strategies and operational efficiency
- Exploring new research, innovation and technology transforming dementia care
- Showcasing best practice in design to improve outcomes, compliance and resident wellbeing
- Understanding how data interoperability and digital systems are shaping the future of care
Across the Future of Care stage, organisations such as Methodist Homes and Care England will explore financial resilience, research-led innovation and digital transformation.
The Dementia Care stage will bring together leaders and research-specialists from Dementia UK, National Institute for Health and Care Research, and more to focus on practical approaches, policy updates and lived experiences.
Finally, the Healthcare Design & Build stream will unite design experts from organisations such as Harris Irwin, HomeSmiths and Housing21 to highlight how environments can enhance dignity, independence and quality of life whilst supporting commercial outcomes.
Expert Conference Speakers Driving Innovation in Social Care
One of the standout features of this social care conference is its impressive lineup of speakers, bringing together a diverse mix of leading care providers, experts, policymakers and research specialists – with decades of experience in social care and unique strategies that have worked in their settings. Here is a quick look into who delegates can expect to hear from throughout the day:
- Darren Edwards (Author, Inspirational Speaker and Disabled Adventurer) – Sharing powerful lessons on resilience, adaptability and mindset, helping care leaders navigate change and lead through adversity.
- Angela Rippon CBE (BBC Broadcaster and Dementia Ambassador) & Avnish Goyal CBE (Hallmark Care Homes) – Exploring why early conversations around dementia are critical, and how better communication can improve diagnosis and care outcomes.
- Joe Robertson MP (All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dementia), Anna Dixon MP (APPG on Carers) & Gareth Lyon (Policy Exchange) – Providing key policy updates on dementia, carers and social care housing, helping providers stay ahead of regulatory and political change.
- Dr Ella Moonan-Howard (Francis Crick Institute), Dr Isabelle Latham (Hallmark Care Homes) & Professor Martin Green OBE (Care England) – Demonstrating how research, data and partnerships can drive innovation and deliver measurable improvements in adult social care.
- Ruth Brown (Home Instead), Raina Summerson (Agincare) & Sam Monaghan (Methodist Homes) – Sharing practical strategies on financial resilience, investment and maintaining high-quality care in a challenging economic climate.
- Ben Garlick, Clare Cameron (Harris Irwin) & Jacqui Smith (HomeSmiths) – Revealing how thoughtful, sustainable design can enhance resident wellbeing, improve staff experience and future-proof care environments.
This diverse speaker lineup ensures that whether you are attending for policy insight, operational strategy, or practical ways to innovate your service, this social care conference delivers value across every aspect of the care journey.
Top 5 Lessons Care Leaders Will Take Away From Care Innovation Summit
As the care sector continues to evolve, the upcoming Care Innovation Summit is set to highlight a series of vital lessons for leaders looking to navigate change and drive meaningful, lasting improvement:
- Adaptability and resilience will be essential leadership capabilities in a rapidly evolving sector.
- Open conversations about dementia are expected to be critical to achieving earlier diagnosis and better support.
- Innovation must be co-produced with people living with dementia and grounded in real care settings, with research embedded into everyday practice.
- Stronger partnerships across health and social care, alongside empowered and confident staff, will be key to improving outcomes.
- Financial resilience, smart use of technology, and future-focused design and housing models will underpin sustainable, high-quality care.
Together, these themes point towards a more collaborative, evidence-led and person-centred future for care delivery.
Shape the Future of Care at Care Innovation Summit
As the sector continues to evolve, events like Care Innovation Summit play a vital role in bringing the industry together to collaborate, learn and innovate. This leading social care conference offers a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge ideas, gain practical insights and connect with peers who are driving the future of care.
For anyone involved in adult social care, attending Care Innovation Summit is not just beneficial – it is essential to staying informed, competitive and ready to lead in a rapidly changing landscape.
