LEAD 2026

Celebrating 100 Years of the Advertising Association with a focus on leadership through trust.

The Advertising Association, together with its founders IPA and ISBA, will host a landmark edition of the advertising industry’s annual summit, LEAD, on 5 February 2026 at the QEII Centre in Westminster.

LEAD 2026 will bring together over 450 senior leaders from across the political, media and advertising landscape. This special edition will celebrate the AA’s centenary while setting the agenda for the year ahead, under the theme “Leadership through trust.”

The half-day summit will examine the political outlook, the latest research into consumer trust in advertising, and how the industry can unlock future growth through creativity, AI, and responsible leadership.

Speakers include:

Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Broadcaster & journalist
Adria Vidler, CEO, Allwyn UK and President, Advertising Association
Simon Michaelides, Incoming DIrector General, ISBA
Karen Martin, CEO, BBH London and President, IPA
James Best CBE, Chair of CAP and Credos
Kate Alessi, UK Managing Director, Google
Dan Wilks, Director, Credos

Further details can be found here.