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BESA Awards & Forum 2026: Celebrating Best Practice
When
Thursday, 9 JulyWhere
Honourable Artillery Company, Armoury House, City Road, London, EC1Y 2BQPrice
To be confirmedCelebrating excellence in UK educational suppliers
Join us for an inspiring afternoon of thought-provoking sessions, engaging with industry leaders, and celebrating excellence at the BESA Awards & Forum 2026: Celebrating Best Practice. Taking place on Thursday, 9 July 2026, this prestigious event offers a perfect blend of insightful discussions, recognition of outstanding achievements, and valuable networking opportunities.
The day includes a keynote session, a formal awards ceremony, structured networking, and a delightful drinks reception with canapés, all complemented by an exquisite 2-course lunch
“BESA Awards showcase and celebrate the absolute brilliance of education supply organisations and celebrates outstanding contributions to the sector.”
Jonathan Ledger CMgr FCMI, Department for Business and Trade
“The BESA Awards play a vital role because they highlight effective practice, innovation, and excellence in education. They build credibility and trust, enhancing the reputation of schools and educational suppliers.”
Adam Boddison OBE, Association for Project Management
Host
Nicola Beckford
Nicola Beckford’s outstanding career includes presenting BBC Midlands Today’s main bulletin at 1830, as well as Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4 and BBC television news bulletins in Bristol and Cambridge. She has more than a decade’s experience in broadcasting and was one of the first BBC journalists in the UK to discover the power of the Freedom of Information Act to uncover stories.
As a reporter she was keen to tell the stories of people who are not usually heard. In fact – this dedication and commitment to journalism has influenced the government to make permanent changes in UK law. In 2012 Nicola revealed on BBC Radio 4’s The World at One, how hundreds of children were being detained in police cells because of a shortage of mental health hospital beds. This story led to a change to the Mental Health Act.
Whilst reporting for the BBC Six O’Clock news, Nicola also uncovered how hundreds of hospital patients in England were victims of life changing “never events” – these being preventable errors considered so serious the NHS says they should never happen. As a result, she was invited to speak at conferences in the UK and internationally including at the Health and Safety Executive, the Foreign Office and at the Scottish Parliament.
Nicola’s previous experience includes working as a secondary school teacher in inner city schools where she was determined to encourage her students to achieve their best. Passionate about education, she spent years encouraging young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to fulfil their potential in her home city of Birmingham
