News and Events
County Durham Pound Conference 2026 Agenda is Now Live!
The Agenda is Now Live!
The County Durham Pound Conference 2026 – Stronger Together: Connected For Impact is shaping up to be the social value event of the year in Durham! The conference is a fantastic chance to bring together leaders, innovators, and change makers from across both the public and private sectors to help create a real and lasting legacy in the county.
Central to the whole agenda are our three core conference themes: Improving Health & Wellbeing, Increasing Employment Support, and Supporting the VCSE. Every session, talk, and panel discussion has been crafted around these key pillars to tackle Durham’s most pressing challenges and explore collaborative, cross-sector solutions.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers and expert panelists, participate in interactive sessions, and gain fresh, actionable insights into maximising local impact!
Read the full agenda to see the complete speaker line-up and session schedule:
County Durham’s Flagship Social Value Event
Phil Pollard, Group Director of Karbon Foundation and Customer Engagement, will take the stage and discuss the newly launched Karbon Foundation and how it is laying the groundwork for future social value creation in communities.
We are also delighted to welcome Kate Gong, Senior Social Value Manager from our event sponsor Willmott Dixon! Kate will examine the links between social value, procurement and employment pathways. For our third keynote speaker, we are joined by Val Kilner, Co-Director of Aspire Learning, Support & Wellbeing (CIC) who will explore how volunteering creates opportunities, builds resilience and strengthens communities.
It’s going to be a packed day at the Radisson Blu – see you there!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main themes of the County Durham Pound Conference 2026?
The conference agenda is structured around three core pillars designed to address key local challenges: Improving Health & Wellbeing, Increasing Employment Support, and Supporting the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector.
Where is the County Durham Pound Conference 2026 being held?
The event takes place at the Radisson Blu in Durham, bringing together leaders, innovators, and change-makers from across the public, private, and voluntary sectors.
Who are the keynote speakers featured in the agenda?
Keynote speakers include Phil Pollard (Group Director of Karbon Foundation and Customer Engagement), Kate Gong (Senior Social Value Manager at event sponsor Willmott Dixon), and Val Kilner (Co-Director of Aspire Learning, Support & Wellbeing CIC).
What key topics are covered during the keynote presentations?
The keynotes explore how the newly launched Karbon Foundation is laying the groundwork for community social value, the links between procurement and local employment pathways, and how volunteering builds community resilience and creates opportunities across County Durham.
