That’s a Wrap 2025! Here’s What to Look Forward to in 2026

As the year ends, it’s a natural time to pause and reflect. The pace slows, we get a chance to look back, and our minds turn to what the next twelve months might hold.

For us at Salford Professional Development, 2025 has been a year of growth, learning, and connection. Every conversation, training session, and event has helped shape our vision for the future.

Reflecting on 2025

This year, over 600 delegates joined us across three major conferences. Each event had its own energy and conversations, but all shared the same spark: people coming together to learn from one another.

Across our wider programmes, more than 1,200 professionals invested time in themselves through training with SPD. They explored new skills, strengthened existing ones, and took concrete steps toward their next goals. Every one of those 1,200 choices reminds us why we do what we do.

We delivered over 160 courses and introduced five new programmes in response to learner feedback: Grant Bid Writing Programme, Responsible Individual Leadership Programme (CMI Level 7 Diploma), AI for Senior Leaders, CMI Level 5 Certificate in Strategic Leadership for the Public Sector, and CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership for the Public Sector. By listening to emerging skills gaps, we’ve created opportunities that genuinely make a difference. And with a 95% customer satisfaction rate, our practical, supportive approach clearly resonates.

Our SEND Conference 2025, Sepsis Conference 2025 and our flagship Operating Theatres Conference 2025, were also a huge success, each bringing professionals together to share expertise, bring awareness, explore challenges, and strengthen best practice across their sectors.

Beyond the numbers, 2025 was about the smaller moments: insights shared in a classroom, connections made at a conference lunch break, and feedback that shapes our next programmes. These moments remind us that learning is about growth, curiosity, and confidence.

Looking Ahead to 2026

If 2025 was about laying foundations, 2026 is about building on them. We’re expanding popular programmes, refreshing content to keep it relevant, and creating new ways for busy professionals to engage with learning; in-person, online, or a mix of both.

In 2026, our focus is to make learning feel more achievable and genuinely useful. Professional development shouldn’t be overwhelming, it should support steady, meaningful progress. Whether you’re creating a learning plan for 2026, developing confidence in a new skill, exploring CPD opportunities, or simply staying curious in your work, we’re here to help you take practical, manageable steps forward.

Planning Your Professional Development in the Year Ahead

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on skills, set career goals, and map out a learning plan for 2026. Even small steps can make a huge difference in professional growth.

At SPD, we offer a range of courses to help you plan professional development and progress within your career. Whether it’s continuous professional development, leadership training, or specialist skills, we’re here to support every step of your journey.

Full details are available on our website here.

Looking Forward

As this year ends, think about what you want from the year ahead. Even identifying one or two goals can make the start of 2026 feel exciting. SPD will be here to support your learning and development plans throughout the year.

Here’s to a thoughtful close to 2025, and an exciting start to 2026!