The Conveyancing Association has published the full programme for its 2026 Annual Conference, which will also mark the organisation’s 25th anniversary.
The event will take place on Thursday 12 February at a new venue, The Belfry Hotel & Resort, with Landmark Information Group returning as headline sponsor.
The conference, titled “Conveyancing Under the Spotlight”, will focus on how conveyancing firms and wider stakeholders can work more closely together to improve outcomes across the home buying and selling process.
The conference will open with a welcome from the association’s non-executive chair, Nicky Heathcote, followed by an introduction from conference chair Eddie Goldsmith.
AGENDA
The agenda includes a keynote session from David Smith, economics editor at The Sunday Times, offering an economist’s view on the outlook for 2026. This will be followed by a series of panel discussions examining market trends, industry perceptions of conveyancing, consumer expectations and the impact of home buying and selling reform.
A session hosted by Landmark will explore the trends expected to shape the residential property market in 2026, chaired by Rob Gurney, managing director of Ochresoft, with contributions from Ben Robinson and Mike Holden of Landmark, alongside Rob Steadman of Searchflow.
The wider industry’s view of conveyancing will be examined in a panel chaired by David Opie of Today’s Media, featuring Kate Faulkner of Designs on Property, Stephan Ward of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, Craig Calder of TSB, Paul Saunders of Legal Eye and Ben Thompson of Mortgage Advice Bureau.
Another session, chaired by Kate Faulkner, will look at how conveyancers can respond to current and proposed reforms to the home buying and selling process. Panellists include Angela Hesketh of PEXA UK, Nick Chadbourne of LMS, Ed Boulle of Orbital and David Bridge of Kiteleys Solicitors.
Consumer attitudes towards conveyancing will be discussed in a panel chaired by Paula Higgins of the HomeOwners’ Alliance, with contributions from Matthew Joy of Smoove, Maria Harris of the Open Property Data Association, Amanda Harvey of Move IQ and David Morris of Santander.
The role of digital technology and the pace of reform will be the focus of a further session hosted by the association’s director of delivery, Beth Rudolf. Panellists include Tom Bailey of Post Partner, Mike Ward of Armalytix, Russell Foley of Dye & Durham, Jane Pritchard of Forsyte and Craig Dade of LEAP.
The conference is open to all Conveyancing Association member firms, both legal and affiliate, with non-members also able to attend for a fee. Legalito is the event sponsor.
A drinks reception, sponsored by Stewart Title, will follow the conference, ahead of a charity dinner in aid of Parkinsons UK.
Heathcote said: “This year’s Annual Conference is a chance to put conveyancing under the spotlight, to review where it sits and to reflect on what it can achieve in the future. However, it’s also a chance to review what the Conveyancing Association has stood for over the last 25 years.
“Since our launch in 2002, the focus has always been on supporting firms, raising standards and making sure the voice of conveyancing is heard across the wider property market. Marking that anniversary at our 2026 Conference feels very fitting.
“Conveyancing firms continue to face real pressure, from changing client needs to reform, regulation and rising costs. The 2026 agenda is built around those issues.
“It brings together lenders, agents, suppliers, regulators and consumer voices to have honest conversations about how the process works today and what needs to improve.
“Our Conference has always been about practical discussion rather than theory, and that remains the case. Each session is designed to share insight, challenge thinking and help firms plan for what comes next.
“We are pleased to have Landmark Information Group back as headline sponsor and to see such broad support from speakers and sponsors as we mark an important milestone for the Association and the sector.”
