The Conveyancing Association (CA) has released the full agenda for its annual conference, which will be held at the Belfry Hotel & Resort in Sutton Coldfield (pictured) on 12 February.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the conference, which has the theme Conveyancing Under the Spotlight. Guests and participants will reflect on how conveyancing firms and stakeholders can forge strong relationships and collaborate to achieve better outcomes, reviewing the current state of play and what can be achieved in the future.
“Since our launch in 2002, the focus has always been on supporting firms, raising standards and making sure the voice of conveyancing is heard across the wider property market,” CA non-executive chair Nicky Heathcote said.
“Marking that anniversary at our 2026 conference feels very fitting.
“Conveyancing firms continue to face real pressure, from changing client needs to reform, regulation and rising costs. The 2026 agenda is built around those issues. It brings together lenders, agents, suppliers, regulators and consumer voices to have honest conversations about how the process works today and what needs to improve.”
Heathcote will open the event, followed by an introduction from conference chair Eddie Goldsmith.
The first session comes from David Smith, economics editor at The Sunday Times, who will offer an economist’s view of conveyancing in 2026. A panel session from Landmark will follow, hosted by Ochresoft’s managing director Rob Gurney, with panellists Ben Robinson and Mike Holden (Landmark) and Rob Steadman (Searchflow) discussing the trends that will shape the property market in the coming year.
Today’s Conveyancer’s David Opie will host a panel tasked with exploring what the wider industry thinks about conveyancing. Kate Faulkner (Designs on Property), Stephen Ward (CLC), Craig Calder (TSB), Paul Saunders (Legal Eye) and Ben Thompson (Mortgage Advice Bureau) are the industry figures making up the panel.
Independent property market analyst and consultant Kate Faulkner OBE will chair a panel including Angela Hesketh (PEXA UK), Nick Chadbourne (LMS), Ed Boulle (Orbital) and David Bridge (Kiteleys Solicitors), who will discuss what conveyancers can do to embrace home buying and selling reform.
What consumers really think about conveyancing will be the topic debated by Matthew Joy (Smoove), Maria Harris (OPDA), Amanda Harvey (Move IQ) and David Morris (Santander). Paula Higgins from the Homeowners Alliance will chair the discussion.
The final panel will examine digitalisation in the conveyancing sector. Hosted by the CA’s director of delivery Beth Rudolph, panellists Tom Bailey (Post Partner), Mike Ward (Armalytix), Russell Foley (Dye & Durham), Jane Pritchard (Forsyte) and Craig Dade (LEAP) will discuss the role technology plays in the process.
“Our conference has always been about practical discussion rather than theory, and that remains the case,” Heathcote said.
“Each session is designed to share insight, challenge thinking and help firms plan for what comes next.
“We are pleased to have Landmark Information Group back as headline sponsor and to see such broad support from speakers and sponsors as we mark an important milestone for the Association and the sector.”
Conveyancing Association members include 200 solicitors and licensed conveyancers, who collectively conduct approximately 14% of all property transactions and 62% of all remortgage transactions in England and Wales. The not-for-profit organisation works to improve the conveyancing process and formulate and implement best practice throughout the industry.
The conference is open to all CA member firms (legal and affiliate), with non-members able to attend for a fee. The event will be followed by a charity dinner in aid of Parkinson’s UK.
For further information and to register, see https://www.conveyancingassociation.org.uk/conveyancing-association-conference/
Non-members can contact secretariat@conveyancingassociation.org.uk to arrange attendance or enquire about sponsorship.
