The UK’s landscaping sector is entering a defining era.
Climate volatility, mounting regulatory pressure and an intensifying skills shortage are reshaping not only how we design landscapes, but how we structure and sustain the organisations behind them.
Against this backdrop, the BALI National Landscape Conference 2026, hosted by the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), arrives at precisely the right moment.
Taking place at the Royal Society, London, on 26 March 2026, this is not simply another date in the events calendar – it is a strategic forum for senior leaders, designers, contractors and consultants who recognise that climate resilience is no longer aspirational, it is operational.
Tackling the questions that matter
The theme for 2026 is clear: climate resilience and how to future-proof your business. But the ambition runs deeper. The programme is designed to interrogate the most pressing questions facing the landscaping profession:
- How do we design, build and maintain landscapes that perform under climate stress?
- How do we move beyond simple compliance with Biodiversity Net Gain to deliver measurable, lasting value?
- How do we protect margins, manage risk and retain talent in a volatile economic climate?
Economic foresight in uncertain times
The day opens with a keynote from Trevor Williams, Chief Economist and Economic Strategist. With over three decades advising institutions on global macroeconomic trends, Williams will unpack the forces shaping investment, public spending and supply chains. For landscape professionals navigating inflationary pressures, shifting procurement models and geopolitical instability, this perspective is invaluable.
Understanding the wider economic landscape is essential if we are to build resilient businesses. Williams’ data-driven insights promise to equip delegates with the clarity required to make confident, forward-looking decisions.
Regenerative thinking from a visionary
Few figures have done more to reframe environmental ambition than Sir Tim Smit, Co-Founder of the Eden Project. His keynote on regenerative sustainability will challenge delegates to think beyond mitigation and towards transformation.
Tim’s work has demonstrated how bold environmental storytelling, commercial viability and ecological restoration can coexist. For landscape leaders seeking to align purpose with profitability, his perspective offers both inspiration and practical provocation.
Biodiversity Net Gain in practice
Regulation is evolving rapidly, and Biodiversity Net Gain has raised expectations across the planning and development ecosystem. Helen Nyul, Director of Ecology at Verna, brings extensive experience embedding biodiversity strategy and ecosystem thinking into large-scale delivery.
Her keynote will move beyond policy headlines to explore implementation: how to integrate biodiversity metrics, climate resilience and ecological integrity into design and construction workflows. For companies grappling with compliance while striving for design excellence, this session promises both clarity and direction.
Leading voices from landscaping
Guiding the day is Mark Gregory, BALI board member and Managing Director of Landform Consultants. Widely respected for delivering award-winning gardens at the Royal Horticultural Society flower shows, Mark brings decades of practical leadership, commercial acumen and environmental advocacy to his role as host.
Practical depth through focused breakout sessions
The afternoon programme moves into targeted breakout sessions, allowing delegates to tailor their experience. Whether exploring “Data-driven biodiversity”, confronting “The reality of plant health”, or navigating “Where’s the money? Navigating the economic landscape”, the emphasis remains on actionable intelligence.
Sessions on developing future talent and strengthening supply chains reflect another critical reality: resilience is as much about people and partnerships as it is about planting palettes.
Networking with purpose
Equally valuable is the calibre of conversation. The BALI National Landscape Conference convenes senior leaders, decision-makers and innovators from across the sector. The structured networking breaks and evening reception create space for collaboration, partnership-building and candid discussion.
In a fragmented marketplace, connection is a strategic asset.
A pivotal moment for the sector
As the UK’s leading trade association for the landscape industry, BALI is proud to offer this event at a time when the stakes have never been higher. Climate extremes are intensifying, client scrutiny is sharpening, and the workforce challenge persists. Yet within these pressures lies opportunity.
This is an opportunity to shape the trajectory of our industry.
If the question is how to build landscapes and organisations that are truly future-proof, this is where the conversation begins.
Book your tickets today and be part of the conversation: BALI National Landscape Conference 2026
