Date/Time 23 April 2026 - 12:45 pm - 5:00 pm

Location
Great Victoria Hotel, Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1JX

Ticket sales are now closed. For any changes to existing bookings or further information, please contact us at info@cabad.org.uk

Join us for the VCSE Big Meet 2026 – Your essential networking event for voluntary sector leaders

Thursday 23rd April 2026 | arrive from 12:45 for a 13:30 start, close at 17:00 | Venue: The Great Victoria Hotel, Bridge Street, Bradford, BD1 1JX

Are you ready to strengthen your organisation’s governance and decision making and build lasting connections with peers who truly understand your challenges?

Whether you’re a charity leader supporting your board, working with trustees, a trustee yourself, or simply want to understand governance better and connect with VCSE professionals who get your world – this event is for you.

This year’s theme – ‘Good Governance, Board Relationships and strong Charity Leadership’. Working in the voluntary sector means understanding how good governance impacts everything we do. Strong boards mean stronger organisations, and that affects us all. You’ll gain practical insights from three inspiring speakers who’ve been where you are and know what works.

What you’ll take away:

• Proven strategies to improve board effectiveness and staff-trustee relationships
• Fresh perspectives on governance and leadership challenges facing charities today
• From Leader to Board Member, what you need to know to make strong decisions
• Valuable connections with leaders from across the voluntary sector
• Practical tools you can implement immediately in your organisation

Plus, enjoy a delicious dinner (all dietary requirements catered for – just let us know when you book).

Last year’s event brought together passionate sector leaders who left energised, better connected, and equipped with actionable ideas. This year promises to be even better.

Our keynote is Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO of Directory of Social Change and trusted voice on all things governance – offering up an extremely rare chance to hear her speak in Bradford!

We will also be joined by speaker, Carol Peltier, Chair of Race Equality Network, Chair / co-founder of Black Health Forum, and Chair of the Women’s Health Network; and James Brown, Chief Executive Officer at Active Bradford, and Trustee of PSC Support.

Joining our speakers for Q&A are Javed Khan, CEO of Bradford & District Community Empowerment Network Ltd (CNet) and Centre Manager at West Bowling Centre (WBC), and Kaneez Khan, founder of Primrose Consultancy Yorkshire and Faith & Communities Co-ordinator for West Yorkshire.

Spaces are limited – secure your place today.

With kind thanks to our generous event sponsors: Aide CRM, Access Insurance and Bradford Community Payroll and Accounts.

*New for 2026* We are giving you the option to purchase and donate tickets to grassroots organisations to ensure they are able to benefit from the event. If you are in a position to do so, we would really encourage it so we can see as many small charities in the room as possible!

Bonus – we will be celebrating 25 years of incorporation for Community Action Bradford & District.