The pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution industries continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace.
Regulatory expectations are changing, new technologies are emerging, and supply chains are becoming increasingly complex, meaning the roles of GxP professionals have never been more important.
The UK GDP Association's Annual Conference 2026 has been designed to provide delegates with the knowledge, insights, practical guidance and professional connections needed to navigate the challenges ahead. Taking place in-person on 16–17 June 2026 in Northampton and virtually for those unable to travel to the event, the conference promises two days of expert presentations, interactive workshops, networking opportunities and discussions that place patient safety and product quality at the heart of every conversation.
One of the key reasons delegates return year after year is the quality of the speakers.
The 2026 programme brings together an impressive range of experts from across the pharmaceutical network, including regulatory specialists, Licence Holders, Responsible Persons, quality leaders, consultants, logistics providers, legal experts and senior industry professionals.
Delegates will have the opportunity to hear directly from individuals with extensive experience in GxP compliance, regulatory governance, inspections, quality management, transportation, technology and operational excellence. Importantly, the conference is designed to deliver practical knowledge that attendees can take back to their organisations and apply immediately.
One of the biggest benefits of attending the UK GDP Annual Conference 2026 is the opportunity to hear directly from industry experts, regulators and experienced practitioners on the topics that are shaping the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution. The conference programme has been carefully designed to address both current challenges and emerging trends across GxP, quality, operations and regulatory compliance, bringing together an exceptional line-up of speakers from across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Day One focuses on management and quality. Delegates will hear Irene Frisby of FQS discuss The Virtual Supply Chain, exploring how evolving supply chain models are changing the way medicines are distributed and managed. while Dave Rushton and Ben Thorogood will examine Whistle Blowing and MHRA Expectations of Internal Disputes, a topic that continues to attract regulatory attention.
The programme also includes specialist sessions such as Operational Challenges of Medicinal Cannabis Supply presented by Nik Sanghara and James Smith, Licensing Medicines: From Concept to Launch by Natasha Long of our Platinum Sponsor, Fusion Pharma, and Understanding Nuclear Medicines presented by Chris Howell.
Delegates interested in emerging technologies will benefit from Migle Cousins' session, From Basics to Governance: Introduction to AI Literacy, while Kyle Winn from Help Me GxP will demonstrate how organisations can improve training effectiveness through From Reading to Doing: Video Enabled SOPs.
The first day concludes with a keynote address from Dr Chris Jones Head of Regulatory at the MHRA, one of the UK's most influential voices in medicines regulation. This keynote session provides delegates with a unique opportunity to hear directly from the regulator, gain insight into current priorities and challenges, and better understand the evolving expectations placed upon organisations operating within the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Day two shifts focus toward operations, logistics and customer service. Richard Coe and Kyle Carter will open the day with Effective Computer System Validation and Data Integrity, followed by Nimesh Patel of the UK GDP Association, who will share practical insights into What Makes a Good Management Review. Then Mohsin Raza and Dave Rushton will be discussing the challenges of maintaining consistency across multiple pharmacy and wholesale sites.
Delegates will also gain valuable perspectives from Bethany Stairmand-Taylor on assessing GDP compliance where no GDP certificate exists, and from Jonathan Bracey of Tanner Pharma, whose session An Unlikely Trilogy: Patient Advocacy, Rare Diseases & Brokering highlights the real-world impact of pharmaceutical distribution on patient outcomes.
Additional presentations cover shared-user logistics models, road transportation, international storage and distribution, Category H developments and blood product distribution. Other highlights include Kelly Gomm's session on maintaining compliance within shared-user logistics operations, Phillip Goka's insights into international distribution networks and Greg Bull's update on the evolving Category H landscape.
The Day Two keynote speaker is Nik Lambeth, Senior Director of Quality and Regulatory Assurance UK & Ireland at DHL, who will present Why You Should Visit Your Suppliers. Drawing upon extensive experience within one of the world's leading logistics organisations, Nik will explore the critical role that supplier oversight, relationship management and on-site engagement play in maintaining robust GDP compliance and supply chain resilience.
Together, these sessions provide delegates with a unique opportunity to learn from regulators, industry leaders, quality professionals and operational experts, ensuring they leave the conference with practical knowledge, fresh perspectives and valuable insights that can be applied immediately within their own organisations.
Whether you are a Responsible Person, Licence holder, senior manager, quality professional, manufacturer, wholesaler or service provider, you will gain insights that help you stay ahead of industry developments and evolving regulatory expectations.
In an industry where compliance requirements continue to develop, investing time in learning from experts and peers can deliver significant benefits for both individuals and organisations.
What truly sets the UK GDP Annual Conference apart is its focus on interaction and community building.
The conference has been deliberately designed to encourage discussion and participation rather than simply providing a series of presentations. Multiple shorter sessions will allow delegates to explore topics in greater depth, ask questions, share experiences and discuss real-world challenges with fellow professionals.
The most popular sessions will be investigated further in our popular webinars, which are FREE to members. These sessions often generate some of the most valuable learning opportunities, as attendees gain practical perspectives from individuals working across different sectors of the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Networking remains one of the most valuable aspects of attending any industry event.
The UK GDP Association is committed to building a strong and supportive GxP community, and the Annual Conference provides the perfect environment for this to happen. Delegates will have numerous opportunities to meet new contacts, exchange ideas and build relationships with professionals who share a common commitment to compliance, patient safety and product quality. Whether you are looking for advice, seeking solutions to operational challenges or simply wanting to expand your professional network, the conference creates opportunities for meaningful conversations that can continue long after the event has ended.
For those attending the evening dinner, the networking opportunities continue in a more informal setting, allowing delegates to strengthen existing relationships and develop new ones.
The rapid growth of the UK GDP Association and its annual conference demonstrate the value that delegates see in these events.
Feedback from previous conferences has consistently highlighted the quality of speakers, the relevance of the content and the opportunity to engage with fellow professionals facing similar challenges. The conference has become an important meeting point for GxP practitioners across the UK, bringing together individuals from organisations of all sizes to share knowledge and best practice. The 2026 event builds upon that success and aims to deliver an even more engaging, informative and interactive experience.
Attending the UK GDP Annual Conference 2026 is an investment in your professional development, your organisation and ultimately the patients who rely on safe and effective medicines.
Over two days, delegates will gain valuable insights, practical knowledge, industry contacts and fresh perspectives that can help improve compliance, strengthen quality systems and support continuous improvement. If you are serious about staying informed, expanding your network and contributing to higher standards across the pharmaceutical industry, the UK GDP Annual Conference 2026 should be firmly marked in your calendar.
We will be hosting a charity dinner in aid of the MVA Society during on the evening of day 1 of the conference.
This charity dinner will not only help raise critical funds for research and family support, but it will also play an important role in elevating public and professional awareness of the MVA. Partnerships like this are essential in driving forward progress for conditions that, all too often, go unseen. Attendees can help raise valuable funds for the charity and continue networking with fellow conference delegates by adding dinner tickets when booking their in-person conference tickets.
In-person and virtual conference tickets are available to book here.
We look forward to welcoming you to Northampton in June 2026 for what promises to be another outstanding event dedicated to advancing GxP excellence across the UK!
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