With this year’s theme being ‘Brave Conversations’ – the conference focuses on the everyday conversations that shape safety: the honest ones, the difficult ones, and the ones leaders often put off.  Delegates will explore how curiosity, emotional intelligence, and confident communication can make those conversations easier and turn them into practical steps toward safer, more positive workplace cultures.

Taking place on Tuesday 6th October 2026 at Cranmore Park, Solihull, the conference brings together a standout lineup of speakers offering practical skills and real‑world insight for employers across the West Midlands:

• Becky Ray – delivering a 2.5‑hour interactive workshop on leading yourself first, Becky helps leaders build self‑awareness, resilience and emotional intelligence and will give delegates tools they can use immediately in everyday interactions.
• Harold Floyd – providing a hands‑on Safety Stand Down session covering CPR and defibrillator use, bringing essential lifesaving skills to the heart of the day.
• Karen Hewitt – leading a practical session on turning difficult safety conversations into moments of influence.
• Drew Povey from Educating Greater Manchester – ending the programme with a lively growth‑mindset session designed to help delegates turn insight into action and drive positive change across West Midlands workplaces.

This year’s conference is designed for anyone responsible for leading, influencing or improving workplace safety culture – from safety professionals and senior leaders to line managers, supervisors and people managers who need the confidence to have better safety conversations.  It’s also ideal for both BHSEA members and non‑members seeking practical CPD, networking and leadership development, with group discounts available for organisations attending as a team.

BHSEA chair Marisa Firkins said this year’s theme reflects a growing need for leaders to influence behaviour through connection rather than compliance:

“Safety conversations are often the hardest ones to have – yet they’re the ones that change cultures. This year’s conference is about equipping leaders with the confidence, curiosity, and mindset to have conversations that genuinely make workplaces safer.  It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and learn from experts who understand the realities of leading safety in today’s organisations.”

Tickets are £95 + VAT for members (with a 15% Early Bird discount until the end of July) and £150 + VAT for non‑members. A 20% team discount is available for groups of three or more until the end of September.

The event runs from 9:30am to 4:00pm, with networking opportunities throughout the day.

For more information about BHSEA please contact 07881 290238 or email [email protected].