Annual Conference 2026
The pace of change is accelerating. New technologies, evolving client expectations and increasing complexity are creating more opportunities than ever before, but also more noise, more uncertainty and more difficult decisions. In this environment, future success will not come simply from working harder or trying to keep up with everything. It will come from being able to think differently, focus on what matters and have the courage to act.
This year's LawNet Conference explores the capabilities leaders need to turn change into opportunity. Discover how to unlock creativity to challenge established thinking and see new possibilities, create clarity to make better decisions amid complexity, and act courageously to turn ideas and intentions into progress. Together, our speakers will offer fresh perspectives, practical approaches and inspiration to help you rethink what is possible for yourself, your team and your firm.
| HEADLINE SPEAKERS |
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Dave Birss
Dave is an author, educator, and speaker at the forefront of creativity and innovation. With a background spanning advertising, media, and technology, Dave spent over 20 years in the creative industries as an award-winning copywriter and executive creative director for global brands. |
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Richard Shotton
Richard specialises in applying behavioural science to marketing. He has worked in marketing for 25 years and over that time, he has advised a wide variety of clients from Amazon to Zwift. He is the author of three books on applied behaviour change - The Choice Factory (2018), The Illusion of Choice (2023) and Hacking the Human Mind (2025). The Choice Factory is available in 16 languages, has sold over 100,000 copies and won best sales and marketing book at the Business Book Awards in 2019. In 2018, he founded Astroten, an agency that applies behavioural science to solve marketing problems. In 2021, he was made an honorary fellow of the IPA and an associate of the Møller Institute, Churchill College, Cambridge University. Richard writes a monthly column for Marketing Week, called Why it Works, and co-hosts the podcast Behavioral Science for Brands. In both outlets he focusses on turning complex, academic ideas into simple and practical marketing applications. |
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Debra Searle
Debra Searle MVO MBE first hit the headlines when she set out to row across the Atlantic with her husband. Unfortunately, he had to be rescued so Debra, a novice rower, continued alone without a support boat and rowed 3300 miles from Tenerife to Barbados. It should have taken them six weeks, but Debra ended up spending 3 ½ months at sea alone, encountering 30' waves, sharks, and force 8 squalls in her 23-foot plywood boat. Since returning from this adventure, Debra has undertaken solo & team expeditions across the globe. She has also represented Great Britain at European and World Championship level in Dragon Boat Racing winning bronze, silver and gold medals. Debra has spoken at well over 1000 events around the world, across every industry sector but she is more than your usual sports speaker. Debra has founded 5 companies including MIX Diversity, a Diversity & Inclusion consultancy and training company, so is able to speak with authenticity about what it takes to succeed in business. She has presented 40 programmes for the BBC and had 3 books published. Her spirit of adventure gained her an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen and she was delighted to be appointed a Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, spending a decade working alongside His Royal Highness Prince Philip and His Royal Highness Prince Edward. Debra has been appointed a Member of the Victorian Order (MVO) for her services to the Royal Family. In 2022, Debra was ranked no.3 in the World’s Top 30 Motivational Speakers, after Simon Sinek at no.1 and Tony Robbins at no.2, making her the highest ranking female motivational speaker in the world. The movie of Debra’s solo Atlantic row is currently in development in Hollywood. |
