25 June 2026 
Emma Walton-Pond, Communications Officer
UHR is delighted to publish its Annual Report for 2025–26, showcasing another impactful year of supporting, connecting and championing HR professionals across Higher Education.
Despite continued challenges across the sector, this year has been defined by resilience, collaboration and innovation. From outstanding event attendance to expanded professional development opportunities, the report reflects the strength of the UHR community and the value of coming together to share knowledge, tackle challenges and shape the future of people practice in Higher Education.
One of the standout achievements of the year was our Annual Conference 2026, which welcomed over 2,800 live attendees from 121 institutions, our highest engagement to date. With 29% first-time attendees, the conference continued to reach new audiences, offering new perspectives, practical insight and meaningful opportunities for learning and connection.
Professional development remained central to our offer. This year, UHR invested £67,000 in CPD vouchers, providing every member institution with funding to access valuable learning opportunities at a time when budgets remain under pressure. Alongside this, our Senior HR Summit brought together over 100 senior leaders, with 96% of delegates saying they would attend again, underlining the continued value of creating space for strategic reflection and peer support.
Our growing programme of events and specialist learning also saw strong engagement across the board. UHR AI Workshops welcomed more than 150 members across four locations and achieved an impressive 4.8/5 satisfaction rating, with 96% of attendees saying they would recommend the workshops to colleagues. These sessions highlighted the sector’s appetite to explore emerging technologies collaboratively and responsibly.
UHR’s specialist networks also continued to thrive, with participation increasing by 25% to around 1,250 members. These communities remain a vital source of peer support, shared practice and professional connection as institutions navigate increasingly complex challenges.
The report also celebrates the continued success of flagship programmes such as TrailBlazers, Connects, and the UHR Awards for Excellence in HR, all of which play a crucial role in developing talent, recognising achievement and strengthening the future pipeline of HR leadership across the sector.
Helen Scott, Executive Director of UHR, said:
“The political and financial climate remains exceptionally challenging. But UHR will continue to stand alongside universities and their people teams - supporting them to act with integrity, professionalism and purpose. Because ultimately, this work is about people, education, and shaping a better future.”
As we look ahead, UHR remains committed to supporting members through development, connection and collaboration, ensuring HR professionals across Higher Education are equipped not only to respond to change, but to help lead it.
