Governance Services

Surrey Annual Governance Conference 2026

How should governing boards lead their schools into the age of AI — and how can AI strengthen governance itself?

On Wednesday 10th June governors, trustees and governance professionals from across Surrey came together for the Surrey Annual Governance Conference 2026, enjoying a day packed with insight, inspiration and recognition. The conference opened with a warm welcome from Patrick Alexander, CEO of Schools Alliance for Excellence, who recognised the vital contribution governance teams make in driving school improvement and supporting positive outcomes for children and young people across the county.

Keynote Speaker – Dr Matthew Woodruff

We were delighted to hear from Julia Katherine, Director of Education and Lifelong Learning at Surrey County Council, who provided an insightful update on the wide range of services available to schools and governors, highlighting valuable resources and support that governance teams can access to strengthen their work.

A particular highlight of the day was our keynote address from Dr Matthew Woodruff, Founder of Open Education AI, CEO of EdEquity AI and Chair of The Kite Academy Trust. Matthew delivered a thought-provoking and highly engaging presentation exploring the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities that artificial intelligence presents for schools and governance boards. He challenged delegates to consider the key questions boards should be asking about AI, while providing practical frameworks to help governors navigate this rapidly evolving landscape with confidence and clarity. His focus on balancing innovation with strong governance, accountability and human judgement resonated strongly with attendees.

Governance Recognition Awards

The conference also provided an opportunity to celebrate excellence in governance through the Governance Recognition Awards, presented by Helyn Clack, Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Lifelong Learning, recognising the dedication, commitment and impact of governance volunteers across Surrey.

Congratulations to Elaine Letchford from Riverview CofE Primary & Nursery School, who was a deserving recipient of the Governor of the Year Award.

The day concluded with closing remarks from Patrick Alexander, reflecting on the valuable discussions, shared learning and collective commitment to supporting schools and improving outcomes for children and young people.
A huge thank you to all the incredible governance teams who joined us. Your dedication to driving school improvement across Surrey is truly inspiring. We hope delegates left the conference feeling energised, informed and equipped with practical ideas to take back to their boards and governance teams.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all our speakers, award winners and attendees for making the Surrey Annual Governance Conference 2026 such a memorable and successful event.