Further details of BFA conference 2026 programme revealed: a year’s worth of franchising know-how in a single day

_{Dugan Aylen}

Sponsors

Sponsored by The Franchising Centre and Constant Contact, the 2026 event will be held in Telford on 12 November 2026 and will be followed by the BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards, historically described as the ‘Oscars' of franchising.

Working together

Berit Block, senior director of international marketing at Constant Contact said: "Returning as co-headline sponsors of the BFA Annual Conference is something we're looking forward to. It's critical that franchisors and franchisees work together to balance brand consistency with local customisation and we're honoured to be part of that conversation."

New chapter in franchising

Dugan Aylen QFP, CEO the Franchising Centre said: "The 2026 conference marks the beginning of a chapter the whole sector has a stake in writing together.  The pace of change across business has accelerated sharply in recent years, especially in terms of technology, politics, the economy, and what franchisees and franchisors now expect of each other. Our sponsorship reflects a shared goal: ensuring franchising comes through that change stronger, both as a growth strategy for brands, and as an ethical, sustainable route into business ownership for the people who choose it."

‘Enormous opportunity'

Looking forward to the event, CEO of the BFA, Pip Wilkins said: "I sometimes wonder if ‘conference' is the right word to describe this event, because it is so much more than that. Simply put, for eight hours in November, a venue in Telford becomes the most important place in the country to be, for everyone in franchising, and those who do not attend miss out on an enormous opportunity for learning and networking."

‘Concentration of education'

She continued: "As an association, whose remit is to uphold the standards of ethical franchising in this country, we deliver various educational events for nearly 52 weeks of the year, some free, some paid for. The conference is by far our biggest event of the year, so if anyone wants a feel for the educational content we provide, perhaps they missed out on some of our events this year, then the conference is the place to be."

Talks and presentations

The 2026 agenda has a wide range of talks and presentations planned; Pip explained: "So far, we've got talks on everything from recruitment to resales and from leadership to creating national opportunities. We are so sure of our line-up that we guarantee every single person will walk out of the conference, not only with knowledge they didn't have beforehand but also actionable information they can take back to their own businesses and start implementing the very next day. We would urge all our members to invest this one day in themselves and their businesses and join us in November."

Keynote speakers

In between the educational sessions the BFA has invited keynote speakers to complement the educational content of the day. Confirmed for 2026 are: former Royal Marines Commando, and the founder of Reborn Mindset, Aaron Moon, broadcaster and presenter Timandra Harkness, and Dragon's Den's Sara Davies MBE.

Aaron Moon

A former Royal Marines Commando, whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2009, Aaron's vehicle was struck by an IED, resulting in life-changing injuries and the eventual amputation of his right leg below the knee. Aaron is the founder of Reborn Mindset, where he challenges audiences to recognise the reality, embrace change and take ownership of their future. His presentation at the conference entitled ‘What Happens When Life Doesn't Ask Permission', will teach delegates how to build resilience, adapt to change, perform under pressure and take ownership when faced with life's toughest challenges; a framework for turning setbacks into opportunities, for growth and performance.

Timandra Harkness

A familiar voice on radio, a writer and presenter, Timandra's skills run from presenting Radio 4's FutureProofing series and radio documentaries such as ‘Data, Data Everywhere' to performing the first comedy science double act in the UK. She frequently writes for the mainstream national media and chairs and speaks at public events such as the Royal Geographical Society and the Alan Turing Institute. Timandra's presentation will be entitled: ‘The Future isn't Artificial: Why Human Judgement Still matters.'

Sara Davies MBE

Founder of Crafter's Companion, entrepreneur, mentor and one of the UK's most recognisable business figures, Sara has built an extraordinary career from an idea she developed while studying at university. She went on to grow Crafter's Companion into an international business, was awarded an MBE for services to the economy in 2016 and joined BBC's Dragons' Den in 2019 as its youngest female investor at the time.

On 12th November, Sara will bring her experience, energy and business insight to the Conference stage, giving delegates the opportunity to hear directly from someone who has built, grown and led a business while continuing to support the next generation of entrepreneurs.

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