Building into the future at the ELT Leadership Forum

In September, we hosted our inaugural ELT Leadership Forum at The Queen’s College, Oxford, welcoming 65 educational leaders and decision makers from over 40 institutions across 17 global markets.

The two-day programme was designed to foster meaningful dialogue around the future of English language teaching (ELT), with a focus on innovation, leadership, and strategic collaboration.

Set against the historic backdrop of The Queen’s College, the ELT Leadership Forum provided a space for reflection, connection, and action. Santiago Ruiz de Velasco Aranguren, our Managing Director of English Language Teaching, opened the event by welcoming delegates:

“Together we’ll explore how leadership and innovation are shaping the future of English language education, and how we, as a global community, can respond with purpose and creativity.”

Celebrating global collaboration

The ELT Leadership Forum marked a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting global education through thought leadership and partnership. Delegates engaged in a dynamic programme of talks, panel discussions, and networking opportunity, all aimed at shaping the future of English language teaching in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

Highlights from the event included:

• A fascinating insight into ‘AI’s Impact on Education and Assessment’ from Geoff Stead, Chief Product Officer of Welltech
• A keynote address from the UK Government’s International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith
• A panel discussion about ‘Future-Proofing English Language Teaching’ hosted by Naomi Moir, Director of Educational Solutions at OUP, with Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith, Founder of PedTech; Geoff Stead; and Dr Erika Galea
• Wayne Clarke’s session on building leadership and management capability at scale, offering global insights and practical strategies for developing resilient, high-performing teams.

Naomi Moir

Director of Educational Solutions

“The ELT Leadership Forum was a powerful reminder of the value of bringing diverse voices together to shape the future of English language education. As we navigate rapid technological change and shifting learner needs, it’s more important than ever to create spaces where innovation and collaboration can thrive.”

The event closed with remarks from Sarah Ultsch, our Product Strategy Director, who reflected on the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving meaningful change.

The ELT Leadership Forum 2025 was not only a celebration of global collaboration, but a launchpad for future initiatives. As the educational landscape continues to evolve, we remain committed to empowering educations and institutions worldwide with the tools, research, and partnerships they need to thrive, and building on the trust that they have placed in us over many years.