This week it was fantastic to bring together over 450 senior-leaders from across our industry for a landmark edition of LEAD 2026, alongside the IPA and ISBA.
Hosted by Krishnan Guru-Murphy at QEII Centre in Westminster, this year was a particularly special year, as we marked the Advertising Association’s centenary, linking to the event’s theme of Leadership Through Trust.
The summit began with a welcome from our President and CEO of Allwyn UK, Andria Vidler, who announced the launch of our partnership with Times Media for ‘Advertising Pays: The Success Files’, which will showcase brilliant examples of advertising fuelling growth.
Political keynotes included Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Minister for the Creative Industries, who praised the industry’s role as a global advertising leader and outlined the Government’s partnership with industry through the Creative Industries Sector Plan. The Minister also highlighted our new Best Practice Guide for the Responsible Use of Generative AI in Advertising, an invaluable resource from the Online Advertising Taskforce to help support the responsible adoption of AI in our industry.
Lord Ed Vaizey, Business Advisor, Broadcaster and Member of the House of Lords, gave a keynote speech describing how 3.5 million UK businesses depend on the advertising industry to grow, meaning advertising is vital in funding the UK’s vibrant creative culture.
On the theme of trust, James Best CBE, Chair of CAP, warned us that public trust is fundamental and non-negotiable as he promoted his book ‘Trusted Advertising’, written with our Communications Director Matt Bourn. Dan Wilks, Director of Credos, presented highlights of the new Drivers of Trust research by Credos, explaining how trust in advertising is now impacted by negative elements of the online world often unrelated to ads, meaning many people now move through online spaces in a state of ‘low-level vigilance’.
Panels of senior leaders then went on to discuss several important topics, including how advertising can drive responsible growth in the age of AI, how advertising can support more sustainable behaviours, the inclusion of creators in brand strategies and tackling online fraud.
To conclude our landmark centenary LEAD, our CEO Stephen Woodford noted that the Advertising Standards Authority awareness campaign has a proven effect on driving trust in advertising and we must continue to remind the public that advertising is regulated.
We would like to thank all those who attended, as well as our sponsors, including our Headline Partner Ozone and our Gold Partners – Google, Talon, Mail Metro Media, TikTok and Meta.
Photo credit: Bronac McNeill
