WELCOME!
We’re pleased to welcome you to the BUFDG Annual Meeting 2026, the face-to-face get together for university CFOs/FDs. It's a unique opportunity to meet colleagues, share challenges, and gain high-level, HE-specific finance knowledge. This year it again takes place at the University of Birmingham's Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th April.
The main programme is on Thursday 30th April (running from 9am – 4pm), with an informal dinner on the evening of Wednesday 29th. As with last year, we’ll also be hosting a range of 'fringe' meetings on Wednesday 29th, from 11am until 4pm for all groups, for you to meet and discuss challenges with colleagues in a similar situation. These meetings include the various mission groups and 'smaller HEPs' and 'larger HEPs' meetings. Following this (from 4pm-5pm) is the opportunity to attend breakout sessions on pensions updates and related issues. These will be announced a little nearer the time.
ACCOMMODATION AND DINNER
Accommodation is available on site at the Edgbaston Park Hotel. The dinner will also take place here. Accommodation, as well as the dinner, will need to be selected as separate items on the booking page – and these are set at cost price. You can find out more in the ticket options below.
As we are starting the fringe meetings earlier this year, we have secured some bedrooms for Tuesday 29th, for those that may wish to stay the night before. Please note that there are only 30 bedrooms available so early booking is recommended.
PROGRAMME
The meeting on the 30th provides the opportunity to hear from a range of excellent speakers across in-depth plenary sessions and breakouts, and to network and discuss with fellow CFOs. We'll release a full programme in the coming weeks, but sessions planned so far will cover the economy and trends, sector efficiency and transformation, financial governance, collaboration and competition, and research regulation and funding among other topics. Confirmed speakers include Kate Ogden (IFS), Vivienne Stern (UUK), Dan Rawling (CMA), and Alistair Jarvis (Advance HE).
We're pleased to say that, for the first time, the event is CPD certified to 6.5 hours, based on Wednesday attendance. We're currently putting the finishing touches to the programme, and we will circulate further details once this is confirmed.
SPONSORSHIP
Similarly to previous years, we will be inviting around 30 hand-picked sector commercial supporters to join us for the meeting and to provide their expertise as required. There will be no exhibition stands or obligation to talk to anyone you don’t want to.
What is a bit different for this year is that NatWest have kindly agreed to be the single ‘Headline Sponsor’ of the event. NatWest support many of our institutions across the sector and Barrie and the team are well respected. Given inflationary pressures, this single contribution allows us to keep prices low and the event affordable for you, our members.
COSTS / TICKET OPTIONS
The prices for the various elements are:
Bedrooms at Edgbaston Park Hotel are limited so for the best chance of securing on-site accommodation early booking is recommended, we advise doing so by 27 February 2026.
TRAVEL
As the university has its own train station, we would encourage you where possible to travel by public transport. If you do decide to drive, then there is free parking on site. There are also several charging points - more information can be found here. Please also be aware that Birmingham has a ULEZ zone.
If you have any questions or comments please do email events@bufdg.ac.uk. Please select the ‘Book Now’ button at the top right of the page to book.
We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham!
Tagged : Events, Annual Conference, Finance Directors, Finance Directors
Type : Conference
