THE HR CONSULTANCY FESTIVAL 2026
The Flagship One Day Event for HR Consultants, to Inspire, Connect & Elevate Your Business
13th May 2026
Hilton Birmingham Metropole
Get Ready for the HR Consultants Event Of The Year!
Where the UK’s HR Consulting Community Comes Together
Following the success of our sold-out 2025 event, The HR Consultancy Festival 2026 is back, and it's going to be bolder and more inspiring than ever!
As our Flagship event, we bring together HR Consultants, for industry insight, business growth, meaningful connection and recognition of excellence across the profession.
Join us and step out of the day-to-day, into a room full of ambitious, like-minded HR Consultancy Professionals who are ready to upskill, network and find new ways of working towards their business goals.
A full day of exciting activity awaits, and we can't wait to welcome our 2026 attendees!
What you'll get at the HR Consultancy Festival 2026
Learning & Inspiration
A lineup of exceptional and carefully selected keynote speakers, bringing you the inspiration you need to uncover those bright ideas that will kick your business forward. Plus, facilitated round table discussions with your peers.
Exhibition Area
A dedicated exhibition area, with fantastic exhibitors on hand to discuss their services with you, and show you how they can support you in scaling your consultancy business further. Everything from tools, tech and trends!
HR Consultancy Awards
We'll be hosting the HR Consultancy Awards 2026 during the day to celebrate those individuals who are making a huge impact. Make sure you nominate either yourself of someone else. It could be you!
Exclusive Networking
Enjoy time to speak with HR Consultancy peers, to share insight, discuss real client challenges, spot emerging trends, and build trusted connections that often lead to collaboration, referrals, and stronger business confidence.
Delicious Dining & Drinks
Enjoy a two course lunch and refreshments throughout the day, giving you time to relax and recharge, continue conversations with friends (old and new) and make the most of the day the before and after event drinks.
More to Explore
Take time to discuss your podcast ideas, discover useful resources and goodies from exhibitors, enjoy a few thoughtful special touches throughout the day, and make the most of opportunities happening around you.
Your Keynote Speaker Line Up
The HR Consultancy Festival is well known for sparking big ideas, and being the place to be if you want insight and inspiration. Our Keynote Speakers this year have been carefully selected to do just that. They'll challenge thinking and share real-world strategies you can apply immediately, so you can bring fresh thinking to your business.
Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD
Growing Your Consultancy - Maintaining Balance and Profit
Understand how to grow your HR Consultancy, whilst ensuring that you maintain balance and keep and raise profits.
Erica Farmer
AI, Influence & the Human Edge: A New Playbook for HR Consultants
How to use AI as a powerful thinking partner while strengthening your human edge. Learn how to sharpen recommendations, navigate client scepticism and stay credible and in demand, in an AI-enabled world
Victoria Vickery
From Invisible to In-Demand: Creating Leads in your HR Consultancy
Learn how to position your expertise clearly and attract quality leads without becoming a full-time marketer! Get simple, repeatable strategies to build visibility and generate consistent demand.
Jess Pressland
Present With Impact
Find out how to deliver complex, commercially significant messages with greater clarity and authority, and leave with practical tools to strengthen your presence, sharpen your message and influence senior leaders and clients with confidence.
Steve Randall
Your Voice Worldwide: How Podcasting Amplifies Reach and Influence
Uncover how podcasting can elevate your profile, expand your audience and position you as a trusted voice. You'll find out how to use audio strategically so you’re not just heard, but remembered.
What does it feel like to attend the HR Consultancy Festival?
Here's just a little overview of how our HR Festival attendees feel having attended in 2025.
And 2026 is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever before.
Inspired & Connected
“I walked in feeling unsure if I belonged… and left inspired, connected, and confident about the future.”
Electric Energy
“The energy in the room was electric - this is what the HR community is all about.”
Must Attend Event
"I AM BUZZING!
This is the 'must-attend' HR event of the year.”
Rated Speakers as "Excellent" in 2025
Valuable Connections Made at the last event
Number of Awards Won & Celebrated
Number of Attendees at the 2025 event
If you'd like to find out a little more, then grab the brochure
The HR Consultancy Awards
As part of this Industry Event, we were thrilled to hold the HR Consultancy Awards 2026. With multiple award categories, there is something for everyone, whether new to consulting, a community contributor, or driving innovation in the industry.
We shine a light on what makes our community brilliant, and we can't wait to share this with you in 2026, and celebrate YOU!
Check out the Award Categories below and choose the ones that you'd like to enter yourself for, or perhaps nominate someone else.
The Award Categories
Best Newcomer Award
For consultants in business less than 2 years who are already making waves, winning clients, and building something brilliant
2025 Winner :
Angela Senior.
Innovation in Consulting Award
Celebrating consultants bringing fresh thinking, brave ideas, and bold solutions that truly deliver results.
2025 Winner:
Nikki Mastermann
Community Champion Award
For the generous, the supportive, and the leaders who lift others up, making our consulting community better for everyone.
2025 Winner:
Gemma Bromfield
Consulting Partner Award
Individuals or businesses who go above & beyond to support HR consultants: services, collabs or behind-the-scenes brilliance.
2025 Winner:
Leanne Hayward - Hireful
Brilliant Associate Award
For Associate Consultants who consistently deliver excellence on every project, embodying trust, talent, and professionalism in their work.
2025 Winner:
Penny Douglass
HR Consulting Project Manager Award
For Project Managers keeping the engine running by supporting, streamlining and strengthening the work of consultants.
2025 Winner:
Claire Snow
HR Consulting VA Award
Celebrating the Virtual Assistants behind the scenes who keep everything running smoothly while supporting and strengthening consultants’ work.
New Category for 2026
Academy Consultant of the Year
Recognising outstanding growth, engagement and results from our supportive community, based on a Growth Challenge.
(Exclusive: Academy Members)
2025 Winner :
Angela Senior
The Investment to Attend the Festival
Our attendees always rate the HR Consultancy Festival as an event that gives outstanding value for money, so whether you are buying a general admission ticket, or you are one or our existing clients that will benefit from a discounted ticket, you will not be disappointed.
Tickets WILL SELL OUT, so secure yours today!
HR Consulting Bootcamp Alumni
Tickets for our boot campers and Bootcamp Alumni
£95 + vat
The HR Consultancy Academy Members
Tickets for our active HR Consultancy Academy Members or Retreat Attendees.
£105 + vat
General Admission
Any HR or People Consultant not fitting into the two other categories.
This is not for suppliers. Please contact us separately
£135 + vat
2026 Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsor The HR Consultancy Festival and position your brand at the heart of the HR Consultancy Community.
Get the full sponsorship brochure, and check out the packages available - and please do get in touch if you'd like to chat through, and find the best fit for your goals and budget.
Our 2026 Sponsorship Options are outlined in our brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions about the HR Consultancy Festival
Here are some answers to some of the most common questions we are asked
Is there a hotel or parking discount ?
Yes there is, however we urge you to book early. Some attendees book into the IBIS or Premier Inn, and the taxi is around £7 to the Hilton Hotel, so you can save money.
Is the venue easy reach?
Yes, it's a 10 minute walk from Birmingham International Train Station, and just off the motorway with onsite parking. It is also very close to the airport if you are flying into the event.
Do award finalists need to buy a ticket?
Yes. All attendees, including finalists, will need to purchase a ticket to join the event. We have reserved places for the finalists to ensure they don't miss out, and they are able to take part in the celebrations.
Can I bring flyers or promotional materials?
Sorry but this is not possible. We ask that you only bring business cards. Out of respect for our paying exhibitors, please do not engage in promotional selling before, during or after the event in the hotel.
What happens after the event ?
Sponsors and exhibitors will offer exclusive follow-ups, including webinars and event offers. You'll also hear about how The HR Consultancy Academy® can support your long term growth.
Can I cancel my order?
The tickets are non refundable and strictly non transferable.
We take security seriously and we must be able to have visibility of who is attending our events.
Will I get a ticket?
You will receive an e ticket once your payment has cleared the bank - we have a list of attendees so if you forget it - it's all OK!