Advancing Regulation Together – A Day of Community, Connections and Shared Learning
London, 25 March 2026 — The Institute of Regulation held its fourth Annual Conference today in Central London, bringing together over 270 regulatory leaders, experts and professionals for a day focused on the theme “Advancing Regulation Together.”
Hosted by the Institute of Regulation and supported by Gold Sponsor Objective Corporation, the conference is now one of the UK’s largest gatherings for regulatory practitioners.
Opening the day, Dr Pauline Stephen, Institute of Regulation Board Member and Conference Host, said:
“Community lies at the heart of everything we do at the Institute, and our Annual Conference is an ideal opportunity to meet peers, share experiences, and build new connections. While regulators are often quick—rightly—to focus on improvement, the conversations we host throughout the year continually remind us of the excellent, and often exceptional, regulatory practice happening across our community.”
The programme featured a distinguished panel of plenary speakers, including:
Stephen Gibson, Chair of the Regulatory Policy Committee
Professor Dame Julia Black, Warden of Nuffield College, Oxford, and Professor of Law and Regulation at Oxford University
Lord Willetts, Chair of the Regulatory Innovation Office
Paul Rees, CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Council
Breakout sessions explored four core themes: Culture & Leadership, Networks & Collaborations, Regulating for Impact, and Effective Regulatory Relationships.
The day concluded with closing remarks from Marcial Boo, Chair of the Institute of Regulation.
The conference was supported by key sponsors TSO, PA Consulting and PUBLIC.
Institute of Regulation Awards 2026
This year marked the second annual Institute of Regulation Awards, celebrating excellence across the regulatory community in three categories: Rising Star, Collaborative Practice, and Innovative Practice.
Rising Star Award
Winner: Eilidh Byer, North Sea Transition Authority
Eilidh said:
“I am incredibly grateful to win this award and would like to thank my colleagues at the North Sea Transition Authority for their ongoing support and guidance.
It is a real privilege to work in the energy sector and play a role in the vital work of decommissioning and helping to maintain the North Sea’s position as a cornerstone of the UK’s energy security and drive to reach net zero.”
Kirsty Mills, Global VP – Regulatory Solutions at Objective Corporation, the Rising Star Award Sponsor, added:
“This award recognises individuals making a real impact in regulatory practice and demonstrating leadership, innovation and influence early in their careers. We are delighted to sponsor and celebrate the emerging leaders shaping the future of regulation.”
Innovative Practice Award
Winner: Office for Environmental Intelligence Team
Presented by Richard Collins, Executive Director – External Affairs at the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, to Nicola Edwards, Head of Intelligence, on behalf of the team.
Nicola Edwards said:
“As a young and relatively small organisation of just over 80 staff, this recognition is especially meaningful. With a small team but great support from our leadership, we built our intelligence system and function in just over a year. It now ensures the organisation is well informed across multiple sectors, with information easily accessible to all our staff.
At a time when regulatory reform is centred on supporting growth, it shows that we can innovate and deliver at pace while strengthening environmental protection and public trust.”
Collaborative Practice Award
Winner: Care Quality Commission – Gambling Harms Team
Presented by Award presented by TSO CEO, Richard South to Catherine Raycraft and Charles Rendell on behalf of the CQC Gambling Harms Team.
Arun Chopra, Chief Executive of the CQC, said:
“This award is a tribute to what becomes possible when we bring people together across sectors, organisations, and with those using services, focused on a shared purpose. Delivering the Gambling Harms inspection programme showed tenacity, resilience, and a deep commitment to thinking about the people who need us most — those accessing these vital services.
By combining our strengths, challenging traditional boundaries, and working creatively, we proved that the art of the possible is far greater when we collaborate. I’m incredibly proud of what has been achieved and grateful to everyone who contributed to this work.”
About the Institute of Regulation
The Institute of Regulation (IoR) is the UK’s professional membership organisation dedicated to promoting awareness, understanding and good practice in regulation. Established in 2021, IoR provides professional development, networking opportunities and a collaborative platform for regulators and affiliates across the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and beyond.
Today, IoR is a thriving community of more than 80 regulators and affiliate members, working collectively to champion excellent regulation in support of a strong economy and society.
For further information
Sinéad Whelan, General Manager, Email: operations@ioregulation.org
Learn more: https://ioregulation.org/
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