There is no shortage of conferences about inclusion. There are panels. There are keynotes. There are rooms full of people who nod in agreement, collect a lanyard and return to their organisations the following Monday to find that nothing has changed. Inclusion By Default Conference 2026 is not that kind of event. Hosted by Ammar Mirza CBE, High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear , and delivered in partnership with SHINE and the North East Combined Authority , the Inclusion by Default Conference is a...

In 2026, inclusion is no longer just a value, it’s a business, social, and organisational necessity. Across the UK, organisations are facing a turning point. While some are scaling back diversity and inclusion initiatives due to economic and political pressures, employees, communities, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency, fairness, and representation than ever before. The question is no longer “Should we focus on inclusion?" It’s “What happens if we don’t?” From workplaces...

Managing Grassroots, a blog written for Race Equality Week by Amit Bahanda - ABC Director