5 Exceptional Years: Inspire Education Group Launches Staff Development Week with ‘Future Ready Mindset’ Conference

Colleagues from across Inspire Education Group (IEG) gathered at the New Theatre in Peterborough for the organisation’s annual Staff Development Conference, marking the start of a week dedicated to innovation, collaboration and professional growth as the Group prepares for the year ahead.

The conference, themed Future Ready Mindset – Stronger Together, comes at a significant moment for IEG as the organisation celebrates the end of the fifth academic year since the merger that brought together Peterborough College, Stamford College and University Centre Peterborough under one powerful education group.

Peterborough College Performing Arts students opened the conference with a stunning performance. (Photo: Peter Oliver)

Since its formation in 2020, IEG has grown into one of the region’s leading education and skills providers, supporting over 12,000 learners each year while strengthening partnerships with employers, communities and learning institutions across Greater Peterborough, South Lincolnshire and beyond.

Opening the conference, IEG’s Chief Executive Officer, Rachel Nicholls, highlighted the importance of embracing change, remaining curious, and working together to unlock future opportunities. Addressing colleagues, Rachel reflected on the progress made across the Group and the role staff have played in transforming lives through education, skills and employability.

Photo: Peter Oliver

The keynote address was delivered by internationally recognised business transformation expert and former Microsoft leader Allister Frost, whose session focused on the power of curiosity, imagination and courageous collaboration as essential skills for future success.

A highlight of the day was the annual IEG Staff Excellence Awards, which celebrated individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond to embody the Group’s values and deliver outstanding outcomes throughout the year.

Closing notes were then given by Tony Keeling, Chair of Audit Committee and Member of the UCP Council at IEG. Photo: Peter Oliver

Following the conference, Rachel Nicholls said: 

“This year, our conference focused on the theme: Future Ready Mindset – Stronger Together. This theme is central to our collective growth, urging us to embrace change and unlock our potential through curiosity, imagination, and courageous collaboration. We took a deep dive into what progress we have made as an organisation and what our key priorities are as we go into the new academic year, all while strengthening our community and ensuring we are equipped for the future. I am so proud of what we have achieved together, and there is so much more for us to do and so many opportunities to explore.”

The conference marked the beginning of a wider Staff Development Week programme featuring inclusion training, curriculum innovation workshops, wellbeing activities, apprenticeship development sessions, Higher Education conferences and leadership development opportunities. 

Rachel added: 

“I am so proud of the team at IEG and work with such exceptional people. It is through their passion, expertise and dedication that IEG continues to flourish, and we make such a difference to the students and communities we serve.”

The winners of the IEG Staff Awards were:

As the Group enters its next chapter, the conference reinforced a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration and excellence, ensuring IEG remains well placed to support learners, employers and communities in a changing world.

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