European CPG & Retail Conference | Creating Inclusive Workplaces

LEAD Network Conference 2026

All In: Shaping an Inclusive Future

Oct 6–7 | Dublin, Ireland

All In: Shaping an Inclusive Future

This year’s conference is an invitation to come together as a community shaping the future of work in the European CPG and Retail industry.

Across two days, this conference brings together senior leaders, partners, and changemakers, sharing real stories, learning from evidence-based insights, and exploring practical ways to create more inclusive workplaces through everyday decisions and actions.

Registration opens mid-June 2026

Explore the LEAD Network Conference

About the Conference

Theme

Agenda

Conference Venue

Royal Dublin Society, Merrion Road​, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 AK83

Why attend the LEAD Network Conference 2026?

This conference brings together leaders from across the CPG and Retail industries who are committed to advancing gender equity as a powerful driver of inclusive workplaces. Designed for leaders who want to turn commitment into impact, the conference focuses on practical, business‑relevant approaches to inclusion that strengthen organisations, leadership, and industry progress.

Lead Change for Gender Equity and Inclusion

Strengthen your impact as a leader and change agent, equipped to drive progress on gender equity while shaping workplaces that serve the needs and strengths of every individual.

Embed Inclusion into Business Strategy

Learn how advancing gender equity supports broader inclusion, performance, innovation, and resilience—moving inclusion from intention to strategic execution.

Apply Proven Practices and Real‑World Insight

Access advanced practices, practical tools, and lived experience you can apply immediately to create more inclusive, equitable outcomes.

Connect and Collaborate Across the LEAD Network

Build meaningful relationships, share openly, and strengthen LEAD Network community as a platform for strategic connection and collective impact.

Our Theme for 2026

Being All In reflects our collective responsibility to build bridges across difference, challenge assumptions with facts, and turn inclusive intent into meaningful action—action that strengthens workplaces, leadership capability, and business performance alike.

Join us to learn, reflect, and connect—and leave with fresh perspectives, meaningful relationships, and renewed confidence that progress happens when we show up together and choose to be All In.

Conference Topics

This year’s conference brings together advanced practice, credible innovation, and lived experience to accelerate gender equity through business‑led action. Across two days of plenary sessions, interactive breakouts, and peer connection, participants will explore:

High‑Performance Cultures of Belonging & Fairness

Build psychologically safe environments that remove barriers, strengthen decisions, and unlock sustainable commercial performance.

All‑In Leadership for a Future‑Ready Workforce

Advance accountable, performance‑driven leadership that enables stronger execution, resilient teams, and faster results across business and life stages.

Equity‑Driven Systems, Technology & the Future of Work

Embedding intersectional insight and inclusive AI into systems that strengthen reliability, talent allocation, and frontline productivity.

Bold Moves that Shift the Needle

Showcase high‑impact initiatives connecting real business challenges, targeted interventions, and measurable commercial returns.

Connect with 600+ passionate leaders

Join us to connect with a passionate network of leaders, share authentic stories, and shape a future where everyone is truly “All In.”

What last year’s conference attendees are saying

“One of my biggest highlights of the LEAD Network Conference in Milan was meeting fellow Lidl colleagues from across different countries — such genuinely lovely people with such diverse experiences and perspectives. It’s always amazing to see how we’re all part of one global team with a shared purpose.”

Momena C

DEI Consultant

Lidl GB

“It was my first LEAD Network event, and it had a huge impact on me. Being surrounded by inspiring leaders gave me the opportunity to think critically about my role as a people manager. People are at the core of everything we do, as consumers, customers, and colleagues. Every decision we take should ultimately ensure the wellbeing and happiness of people. We are All In.”

Gianluca Bitelli

Revenue Growth Management Lead

KraftHeinz

“Intentionality makes a real difference. From a clear commitment to drive progress, we built a movement that delivered measurable impact: from achieving 50/50 gender representation ahead of target to embedding policies that make inclusion systemic, not symbolic. I was delighted to accept the LEAD Network Europe’s Inspirational Change Agent Award at their 2025 Conference in Milan, not as a personal accolade, but as proof that WE delivered on those initial promises.”

David Lawlor

President Europe

Kellanova

“The LEAD Network Conference in Milan was a truly valuable experience for McCormick.  Bringing our largest-ever delegation and joining over 750 professionals from 128 companies reinforced both the scale and importance of advancing inclusion and gender equality across the industry.  Beyond the sessions, it was a powerful opportunity to connect as a team across EMEA, strengthen relationships, and share in a collective commitment to inclusion.”

Shaping Change, Inspiring Action

Experience the Expertise of 50+ Industry Leaders

Be inspired by short, high-impact plenary sessions featuring powerful perspectives, real-world success stories, and big-picture insights from influential voices across and beyond the CPG and retail industry.

Expand Your Knowledge with up to 20 Breakout Sessions

Go deeper in 60-minute interactive sessions exploring fair workplaces, emerging retail trends, leadership, and personal growth built for meaningful discussion and practical takeaways, whether you are tackling new challenges or refining established strategies.

Build Meaningful, Lasting Connections

Connect with 600+ professionals and thought leaders who share your commitment to equitable and future-ready workplaces. Exchange ideas, build partnerships, and grow a strong network of peers and allies to support your personal development and organisational goals.

Agenda

All times are in Irish Standard Time (IST) which is CEST–1 • Please note: The agenda is subject to minor changes.

Tuesday, 6 October

09:00 – 12:00

LEAD Network Committee & Community Meetings, CEO and CIO Roundtables

(by invitation only) • Royal Dublin Society

11:30 – 12:45

Official Delegates Opening Lunch

13:00 – 15:00

Official Welcome & Plenary Session including LEAD Network Award Ceremony

15:00 – 15:45

Refreshment Break

16:00 – 17:00

Breakout Sessions: Round 1

17:00 – 19:00

Relax & Refresh

Bus transfer service available

19:00 – 19:45

Bus Transfer to Networking Celebration Dinner

19:30 – 23:00

Networking Celebration Dinner

Guinness Storehouse (hosted by Diageo) • Bus transfer service available between 21:30 – 23:00

Wednesday, 7 October

09:00 – 10:00

Breakout Sessions: Round 2

10:00 – 10:45

Refreshment Break

11:00 – 12:00

Breakout Sessions: Round 3

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch Break

13:15 – 14:45

Plenary Session & Official Farewell

15:00

Departure

(Bus transfer service to airport available)