The Programme — Friday 23rd October 2026

One track in the morning, four running in parallel through the afternoon.

Pick a subject lane for the talks and breakouts, then reconvene as one room to compare findings.

Time	Session	Details
08:30–09:30	Breakfast & arrival
09:30–09:45	Welcome & opening remarks
09:45–10:30	Opening keynote	Learning from Failure: Systems, Culture and Leadership Across Sectors — how failure is treated differently across sectors, and why interdisciplinary learning matters  Details coming soon
10:30–11:00	Coffee break
11:00–12:00	Cross-industry roundtable discussions	Mixed groups tackle: how does your sector respond to near misses? What could you borrow from another field? What cultural or structural barriers block learning from failure?  Led by: Headmaster, Reverend Doctor Chris Evans (OR 1990-1997) Dr Carl Cater (OR 1986–1993) Dominic Eldred-Earl (OR 1987–1992)
12:00–12:45	Panel discussion	When Things Go Wrong: Lessons from Failure Across Disciplines Chair: Duncan Cook (OR 2000–2007)  Professor Neil Mansfield (OR 1982-1989) Professor Ben Cowling MBE FFPH (OR 1990-1997) Philip Davies (OR 1967-1974)
12:45–13:45	Networking lunch
13:45–14:30	Subject-specific talks (four tracks run in parallel — pick one)	Public Health: Near Misses in Patient Safety — what hospitals can learn from each other. Presented by Dr Raghuv Bhasin (OR 1998–2003) & Dr Dev Gakhar (OR 2010–2017) Engineering & Technology: Engineering Disasters and the Role of Predictive Maintenance. Presented by David Pocock (OR 1971–1978) & Andrew Allen (OR 1990–1997) Public Policy & Law: Why public policy and implementation practice struggles to address unexpected risks. Presented by Jonathan Nancekivell-Smith (OR 1985–1992) & Josh Mines (OR 2006–2013) Economics, Finance & Business: Financial Near Misses — Risk Management in Uncertain Times. Presented by Neale Jouques OBE (OR 1978–1985)
14:30–15:00	Subject-specific breakout sessions	Pick up the themes from your talk and expand into key questions, using your own experience:  Public Health: AI, diagnostics, and human oversight in preventing critical errors. Led by Dr Dev Gakhar (OR 2010–2017).  Engineering & Technology: Predictive engineering: from near misses to fail-safe design. Led by Andrew Allen (OR 1990–1997).  Law, Politics & Public Policy: Regulatory near misses and the ethics of decision-making. Led by Josh Mines (OR 2006–2013).  Economics, Finance & Business: Algorithmic trading, risk modelling, and near-miss financial crises. Led by TBC
15:00–15:30	Coffee break
15:45–16:15	Reconvening session: reporting back & synthesis
16:15–16:45	Closing reflections & next steps	Alex Warner (OR 1990-1997)
After 16:45	Networking (optional)

Optional Evening Dinner

 

Session
18:30	Welcome reception
19:00	Headmaster's welcome address
19:15	Starter and main course served
20:15	Live student music performance
20:30	Keynote speech - Dr Peter Coggan
21:00	Dessert served
21:30	Closing remarks
22:00	Evening concludes

Speakers, Hosts & Facilitators 

Old Redingensians and guests from medicine, engineering, government, academia and finance. Several biographies are still being confirmed and will appear here as they arrive.

Opening Keynote Speech 

Details coming soon.  

Closing Remarks

Alex Warner (OR 1990–1997) 

Full biography to follow.

Evening Keynote Speech

Dr Peter Coggan (OR 1961–1964)

Dr. Coggan is a British-trained physician (University of London) who practiced family medicine in Canada before moving into U.S. academic medicine at Southern Illinois University. His career spanned faculty and leadership roles at the University of Washington, UC Irvine (Associate Dean for Medical Education, plus a Master's in Medical Education from USC), Henry Ford Health System (Director of Medical Education), and Michigan State University's Grand Rapids campus (Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education), where he also led GRMERC as President and CEO.

He secured over $3.5M in grants for programs serving underserved, geriatric, rural, and substance-abuse populations, and helped design a new medical school for a California HMO. His national service includes work with the National Board of Medical Examiners, the AAMC, and a congressional consultancy to COGME (co-authoring its 13th Report to Congress).

He's also held numerous leadership roles in professional societies: STFM (board member, President of its Foundation), the Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers (board member and later President, 2011 Ethel Weinberg award recipient), and a six-year term on the ACCME board, concluding in 2011.

Cross-Industry Roundtable Discussions

Dr Carl Cater (OR 1986–1993)

Associate Professor in Tourism Management at Swansea University; Professor at University of Highlands & Islands. 

Full biography to follow.

Dominic Eldred-Earl (OR 1987–1992)

Author, Publisher & Senior Speaker Consultant. 

Full biography to follow.

Panel Discussion

Duncan Cook (OR 2000–2007) 

Former Senior Civil Servant & PHD Researcher. 

Full biography to follow.

Professor Neil Mansfield (OR 1982-1989) Executive Dean for Research and International at Nottingham Trent University and Professor of Human Factors Engineering.

His research focuses on improving comfort, performance, and wellbeing for human operators and passengers across sports, aircraft, ground vehicles, and high-speed boats — spanning design considerations from premature babies to frail elderly users. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, patents, and books, and collaborated internationally across industry and academia. He founded the International Comfort Congress, contributes to a NATO Working Group on impact effects on boat crews, convened an ISO standards committee, served as President of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, and formerly edited the journal Ergonomics.

Educated at Reading School and the University of Southampton (BEng and PhD), he worked in consultancy and the automotive industry before a post-doc in Umeå, Sweden. He joined Loughborough University in 1999, rising to Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the Design School, then moved to Imperial College London to found its School of Design Engineering. In 2017 he joined Nottingham Trent University to build a new Department of Engineering from scratch, growing it to over 1,000 students and 50 staff before stepping down as Head of Engineering in 2024 to take on his current role as Executive Dean.

Professor Ben Cowling MBE FFPH (OR 1990-1997) Chair Professor of Epidemiology; Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing.

Ben Cowling attended Reading School from 1990 to 1997. He was in West House and went on to complete a BSc and PhD in Statistics at the University of Warwick. In 2004, he moved to the University of Hong Kong to undertake a postdoctoral position in infectious disease epidemiology and has remained in Hong Kong ever since. He was promoted to full professor in 2015. He teaches biostatistics and epidemiology in the Faculty of Medicine, and his research focuses on influenza and other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. His current research interests include identifying optimal vaccination strategies and measuring population immunity. 

Philip Davies (OR 1967-1974) Global Health Executive & Policy Advisor.

Philip attended Reading School from 1967 to 1974, then studied Mathematics at Manchester and Management Science at the University of Warwick. He is a veteran international health policy leader whose career spans government, consulting, academia and multilateral organisations across five continents, including operational research for the DHSS, healthcare consulting across the UK and Africa, senior health leadership roles in New Zealand, the WHO, Australia, Queensland and Fiji and a professorship in Health Systems & Policy at the University of Queensland.

Philip is now retired, splitting time between Hampshire and South Wales; serves on the RNLI Council and as a school governor.

Subject Speakers & Breakout Session Leads

Public Health: 

Dr Raghuv Bhasin (OR 1998–2003) Chief Executive at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

Full biography to follow.

Dr Dev Gakhar (OR 2010–2017) Doctor, Creator & NHS Clincial Entrepreneur. 

Full biography to follow.

Engineering & Technology: 

David Pocock (OR 1971–1978) Civil Engineer; Senior Director of Asset Management; Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. 

David attended Reading School from 1971 to 1978. He was in East House and went on to study Engineering at Clare College, University of Cambridge, from 1979 to 1982. He was a career civil engineer, spending 20 years with contractor Taylor Woodrow and 21 years with consultant Halcrow, later acquired by Jacobs. His work spanned the lifecycle management of a wide range of infrastructure types, including buildings, bridges, docks, industrial complexes and utilities, covering durability and maintenance predictions in design, condition and failure investigations, repairs, disputes and guidelines, and strategic improvements for asset-rich businesses. He travelled extensively during his career, including establishing a Middle East regional business in the UAE. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a member of the Institute of Asset Management, and retired in late 2023 as Senior Director of Asset Management at Jacobs.

Andrew Allen (OR 1990-1997) Major infrastructure programme advisor and Certified Fellow of the Institute of Risk Management.

Following Reading School, Andrew studied Engineering, Economics and Management at St John's College, Oxford and later completed an MBA at Cambridge (Christ's College). For over 25 years, Andrew has advised on the set-up and delivery of major Capital Programmes in the UK and overseas, both of megaprojects and in supporting the capital programme investment decision making of major infrastructure operators. 

As a consultant, Andrew specialises in risk management, both in how projects are organised and in supporting the integration and transfer of risk between owner, constructor and operator. Ultimately, with the goal of building confidence in project delivery and infrastructure performance. 

As a member of the Institute of Risk Management Complexity Risk Special Interest Group, Andrew has a keen interest in how failures (whether project or asset) can emerge from seemingly robust circumstances, and how the way we respond to them can be the difference between disaster or discovery. 

After 20 years with major engineering and programme management consultancy firms, Andrew is currently Head of Risk Management at HS2 Limited. 

Law, Public Policy & Politics:

Jonathan Nancekivell-Smith CBE (OR 1985–1992) Chief Operating Officer, UK Civil Service. 

Jonathan attended Reading School from 1985 to 1992. He went on to study Mathematical Statistics and Operational Research at Exeter University. He began his career at Barclays PLC in leadership roles across retail, product and risk. Since 2004 he has served as a Senior Civil Servant, leading teams on analysis, delivery, policy, strategic planning, finance, HR and executive leadership, and is a qualified Chartered Accountant (FCMA). His notable roles include Principal Private Secretary to the Home Secretary, Director of Analysis at the Ministry of Defence, Head of the No.10 Delivery Unit, Strategic Finance Director at the Ministry of Justice, and Gold Commander for Operation London Bridge. He was awarded a CBE by HM the King in 2024. 

Josh Mines (OR 2006–2013) Head of Foreign Secretary Visit Comms at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. 

Full biography to follow.

Economics, Finance & Business:

Neale Jouques OBE (OR 1978–1985) Chief Operating Officer, Altura Service. 

Neale attended Reading School from 1978 to 1985. After leaving school, he joined the British Army, where he spent over twenty years leading logistics, planning and operational teams in the UK, the Balkans, the Middle East and Afghanistan. Those experiences taught him the importance of leadership, resilience, managing risk and making sound decisions under pressure. 

Following his military career, he moved into the aviation industry, holding senior leadership roles at London Stansted Airport before leading international aviation retail businesses for a large Swiss corporate. In 2015, he co-founded Versilia Solutions, growing it from a start-up into a global company working with airlines across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Today, as a founder of Altura, he helps airlines improve performance through operational excellence, innovation and the practical application of artificial intelligence. 

Alongside his professional career, he remains committed to public service as a senior volunteer with the Army Cadet Force, helping to develop young people and adult volunteers. He continues to invest in his own learning through executive education, most recently at INSEAD Business School, reflecting a belief that learning never stops. 

TBC Breakout Session Lead, Economics, Finance & Business. 

Getting Here

On-Street Parking
Limited on-street parking is available in the surrounding area. These spaces are clearly marked, often metered and subject to availability

On-Site Parking
On-site parking is available but limited. If you are a Blue Badge holder and require on-site parking, please email alumni@reading-school.co.uk.

If you have any enquiries about access or need any assistance on arrival, please do not hesitate to email alumni@reading-school.co.uk in advance.

Public Transport 
By Bus from Reading Station / Town Centre: Take Buses 3, 9, or 19A towards Royal Berkshire Hospital and get off at ’RBH' South Wing’ on Craven Road. 

Accommodation

We have secured special rates at the Novotel Reading Centre (25b Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1DP) for conference attendees, recognising that some guests may be travelling from further afield, including overseas. To book, please email the hotel directly at h5432@accor.com and quote the reference code SCHOOL26. The rate is valid for 4 nights from 22nd October 2026.

• £81.00 per night – single occupancy
• £92.00 per night – double occupancy

Rates include breakfast, VAT, local fees, and are offered without commission. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, and guests also enjoy full access to the leisure centre, including the sauna, steam room, swimming pool and gym.

Other Information

Dress Code

The dress code is smart-casual. 

Photography & Filming

By attending this event/activity, you consent to the capture of photography and videography for the purpose of marketing and historical archiving by Reading School. These images and recordings may be used in printed materials (e.g., the school prospectus), on the school website, and on official school social media channels.

Reading School processes personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). Your data will be handled securely and will not be used for commercial purposes.

If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, or if you would like to withdraw your consent at any time, please contact Events Team at events@reading-school-co.uk.

Book your place

Whether you can join for the morning keynote, the full day of talks and roundtables, or stay on for the evening dinner, one ticket covers it all.

£37 per person — full day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner

This is a single, flat price regardless of how much of the day you attend — from the 08:30 breakfast through to the 22:00 close of the evening dinner. Whether you're joining for one session or the whole programme, your ticket includes catering throughout.

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