iCAN to Host New National Conference Launched to Help Employee Resource Groups Deliver Strategic Impact
Employee Resource Groups are being asked to do more than ever; drive engagement, influence strategy, navigate political tension and prove measurable impact. Yet the people leading them are often under-resourced and under-supported.
That’s why ERG Blueprint was created. A national conference designed to equip ERG leaders with the blueprint, tools and influence they need to future-proof their networks.
ERG Blueprint, created by iCAN (the Insurance Cultural Awareness Network) and people intelligence company Howlett Brown, is a one-day, in-person conference built for the people shaping employee impact and workplace inclusion.
Taking place on Tuesday 28 April 2026 at Leonardo Royal St Paul’s, the conference will bring together ERG leaders, HR and DEI professionals, Executive Sponsors and workplace inclusion advocates from across the UK.
Why ERG’s Need a Conference Now
At a time when employee networks are needed more than ever to mitigate the national decline of employee engagement, as well as facing increasing pressure to demonstrate results, navigate political tension and align with shifting business priorities, ERG Blueprint offers future proofing strategies, practical guidance, real-world insights, and renewed purpose.
ERGs are no longer seen as “nice to have”. They are now critical drivers of:
Talent retention
Cultural intelligence
Community engagement
Organisational trust and accountability
ERG leaders are being asked to demonstrate value, align with business goals and deliver measurable outcomes. As Ajay Mistry, Co-Chair of iCAN, explains:
“Employee networks are powerful engines for change - but the people running them are often under-resourced, under-supported and expected to deliver extraordinary impact. This conference is designed to change that - giving leaders the tools, strategy and support they need to succeed.”
What Makes the ERG Blueprint Different?
This conference isn’t about inspiration alone, it’s about direction, structure and taking intentional actions to design, build and futureproof your ERG.
ERG Blueprint will deliver this with a series of high-calibre sessions on everything from future proofing strategies and structure, to influence, conflict navigation, data, branding and resilience.
Highlights include:
How to identify and overcome structural barriers
How to frame and communicate the strategic value of ERGs
Influence and persuasion techniques for engaging senior stakeholders
How to navigate political and organisational tension
Capturing and measuring transformation through stronger metrics
Building resilience as an ERG leader
The focus is on moving the dial, moving beyond passion-led activity to strategic impact.
Charlene Brown, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Howlett Brown, believes ERG leaders occupy one of the most powerful positions within modern organisations:
“We know that network leaders sit at the intersection of culture, strategy, and lived experience, making them the true catalysts of inclusion and belonging. They are not just volunteers – they are strategists, influencers and connectors. This conference equips network leaders to future-proof their networks, scale their progress, and deliver measurable value aligned to organisational purpose.”
Who Should Be in the Room
The ERG Blueprint conference is designed for:
ERG Chairs, Co-Chairs and core team members
HR and DEI Professionals embedding networks into organisational strategy
Executive Sponsors advocating for inclusion from the top
Aspiring ERG Founders, leaders and members
Stakeholder groups, partners and consultants working alongside employee networks
The conference is open to all sectors, and we actively encourage cross-industry learning and collaboration.
Join Us on the 28 April 2026
The future of employee networks will not be shaped by chance. It will be shaped by leaders who are equipped and ready to act. If you are looking to support your ERGs, strengthen executive sponsorship or building a new ERG, this is where you need to be on 28 April 2026.
Tickets are now available at: https://erg-blueprint.co.uk