The NEC Birmingham welcomes back the UK’s leading care sector event on 7–8 October 2026, with a new Owners’ & Directors’ Forum, drop-in Care Business Clinics and over 300 exhibitors addressing funding, workforce and technology pressures across the sector.
Tackling the pressures reshaping social care
The social care sector continues to face unprecedented change. From funding pressures and workforce shortages to evolving regulation and rapid advances in technology, care providers are navigating an increasingly complex landscape. That’s why there’s never been a more important time for the sector to come together. On 7–8 October 2026, Care Show Birmingham and the Retirement Living Show returns to the NEC Birmingham, bringing together the people, insights and innovations helping to support care through change.
As the UK’s leading event for the care community, Care Show Birmingham provides two days packed with practical learning, meaningful networking and access to the latest innovations. Whether you’re an owner, director, registered manager or care professional the event offers valuable opportunities to gain fresh insights, discover new solutions and connect with peers facing many of the same challenges.
With so much happening across the sector, it can be difficult to find the time to step back from the day-to-day and think about what comes next. Care Show Birmingham creates that space. It brings together the latest thinking, practical support and people with first-hand experience of the challenges care organisations are facing, helping visitors return to work with a clearer view of the opportunities ahead and ideas they can put into practice.
Practical learning for today’s care leaders
With more than 200 expert speakers delivering an extensive CPD-accredited conference programme, Care Show Birmingham focuses on providing practical advice. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and solution-focused sessions, delegates will hear directly from sector leaders, regulators and providers tackling the biggest issues affecting care today.
The programme is designed to help attendees make sense of a fast-changing landscape, whether they are looking for guidance on leading their teams, improving quality, managing costs or preparing for what comes next. Sessions are intended to be relevant beyond the conference room, giving visitors perspectives and examples they can reflect on with colleagues and apply within their own organisations. It is a chance to turn fresh thinking into meaningful next steps.
This year’s programme centres around five key themes:
- Future of care
- Workforce sustainability
- Funding pressures
- Compliance and regulation
- Technology and digital transformation
The conference also welcomes an impressive line-up of speakers, including Chris Badger, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care at CQC; Sarah McClinton, Chief Social Worker from the Department of Health and Social Care; Jeremy Richardson, CEO of Avery Healthcare; Raina Summerson, Group CEO of Agincare; Nitesh Somani, CEO of Kara Healthcare; Nye Brown, CEO of Hallmark Luxury Care Homes; Amrit Dhaliwal, CEO of Walfinch; and Baroness Glenys Thornton, Chair of the Social Care Institute of Excellence.
New features for senior leaders and business owners
This year’s event introduces several exciting new features designed specifically for senior leaders and business owners.
The brand-new Owners’ & Directors’ Forum has been created exclusively for strategic decision-makers. Dedicated to the realities of running a care business, the theatre explores everything from occupancy and commissioning to investment, business growth, funding challenges and long-term sustainability. It offers high-level content tailored specifically to those responsible for leading care organisations through change.
Alongside the forum, visitors can take advantage of the new Care Business Clinics. These informal drop-in sessions give care leaders the opportunity to speak directly with some of the sector’s most experienced business experts, ask pressing questions and gain practical advice from professionals who have successfully built and grown care businesses themselves.
When the event closes on day one, the excitement continues with the return of Care Sector’s Got Talent, hosted at Care Show Birmingham for the very first time. This much-loved evening event promises entertainment, networking and the chance to celebrate the incredible people that make the care sector so special.
Discover the latest innovations
Beyond the conference programme, visitors can explore more than 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services and technologies supporting care providers.
From digital care planning and AI-powered solutions to recruitment, compliance, facilities management and resident wellbeing, the event provides a unique opportunity to compare suppliers, experience live demonstrations and speak directly with the organisations driving innovation across the sector.
With so much to see and compare, visitors can focus their time on the areas most relevant to their priorities. The event offers the chance to ask questions in person, see how different approaches work in practice and find out how new products or services could support the people and teams they care for.
Be part of the conversation
Care Show Birmingham brings together people from every corner of the sector because some of the best ideas don’t come from presentations – they come from conversations. Whether that’s with a speaker, another provider or an exhibitor, every discussion has the potential to spark something you can take back to your organisation.
Join us at the NEC Birmingham on 7–8 October 2026 and be part of the conversations shaping the future of care. Register for your free pass today: https://forms.reg.buzz/care-show-birmingham-2026/carehomemagazine
