Conference Programme 2026

08:30 – 09:00 

Registration & Refreshments

Arrive, grab a coffee, and begin building your network with fellow early-career colleagues and professionals facing the same challenges and opportunities as you.

09:00 – 09:10

Welcome Address

Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool

An opening welcome to set the tone for the day, highlighting the importance of emerging talent in shaping the future of the Liverpool City Region and the role of collaboration between graduates, employers, and the wider community.

09:10 – 09:30

Opening Address

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor, Liverpool City Region

A regional vision for talent and opportunity, and why your generation plays a vital role in the future of the Liverpool City Region.

09:30 – 10:00

Opening Keynote Speaker: Confidence is a Career Skill

Paul Corcoran, Founder & CEO of Agent

Confidence isn’t something you either “have” or “don’t have” it's something you can build. This powerful opening keynote explores how confidence shapes progression, influence and opportunity, and gives you practical ways to start strengthening it straight away.

10:15 – 11:15

Workshop Session 1 – Choose One 

Cracking the Code: Navigating Unwritten Rules & Building Influence

Ben Arguile, CEO of Arguile

Learn how to read the room, understand workplace dynamics, and build credibility early in your career. Discover the subtle behaviours that accelerate progression, and how to develop influence without pretending to be someone you’re not. 

OR 

Finding Your Strengths: Building Confidence from the Inside Out

Isobelle Panton, Commercial Lead at The Overlap

Take a fresh look at your strengths and how you talk about them. Build tools to manage self-doubt, improve your internal narrative, and create a practical “brag file” to track your achievements. You’ll leave with actions to strengthen your confidence long-term. 

11:30 – 12:30

Employer Panel - What I Wish Graduates Knew 

An honest conversation with employers from across the region exploring what really stands out in early-career professionals, the traits that fast-track progression, the common myths about workplace success, and the realities of performance, feedback and growth.  

12:30 - 13:30

Networking Lunch 

Connect with employers, speakers and fellow graduates in an informal setting. Build relationships beyond your own organisation and expand your city-region network. 

13:45 – 14:45

Workshop Session 2 – Choose One 

Career GPS: Designing a Future That Doesn’t Yet Exist

Carmel Dickinson, Founder of Worthy

The role you’ll thrive in might not even exist yet. This session will help you explore possibilities, experiment with direction, and approach your career with curiosity rather than pressure. 

OR 

Networking with Purpose: Building Influence Early in Your Career

Leon McCowan, Director of Your Business Mobile

Build the confidence to start meaningful professional conversations and grow a network that supports your progression. Learn practical ways to build relationships, influence without authority, and make networking feel more natural. 

15:00 – 16:00

Final Keynote – Turning Challenge into Opportunity 

Calvin Eden, CEO of Loud Speaker & Speak Easy

An inspiring closing keynote. Expect honest insights, real challenges, and a motivating reminder of what’s possible when you back yourself. 

16:00 – 16:15

Closing Reflections 

Key takeaways from the day to help you build momentum beyond the conference.

16:15 – 17:30

Networking Drinks 

Celebrate the day, deepen connections, and continue conversations with peers and employers across the region.