DiSH – Data in Safe Hands – Live 2026

The event for people who want data to actually make things better.

Across housing, charities, and other purpose-led organisations, we are collecting more data than ever before.

But many organisations are still struggling to answer some basic questions:

• Are we using data to make better decisions?
• Do people trust the data, and trust us?
• Are we confident we’re handling data effectively and responsibly?

DiSH Live brings together the people who are trying to answer those questions.

Not just in theory, but in the real-world, where the data actually lives, and where its impacts are felt.

If you believe data should support an organisation’s purpose – not get in the way of it – this event is for you.

Let’s be honest about the state of data

Data is everywhere, but…

• systems don’t talk to each other
• insight is trapped in silos
• frontline staff can’t access what they need
• compliance teams & DPOs are seen as “blockers” (not “builders”)
• and leaders aren’t always sure what “good” looks like.

Meanwhile expectations keep rising. More reporting, transparency, and scrutiny. Especially in the Social Housing Sector. And that’s before we even consider the complexity AI is adding to the picture too.

The result is that many organisations feel like they are drowning in data but starving for insight.

DiSH Live is about changing that conversation.

A different way to think about data

What You’ll Gain from DiSH Live

Clarity

Understand the bigger picture behind data governance, data protection, and information management.

See how these pieces fit together, and how they connect to your organisational purpose.

Capability

Learn practical approaches that work in real organisations.

Things you can take back to your desk and start applying immediately.

Confidence

Working with and in data carries huge responsibility.

DiSH Live brings together people who understand the challenge and are committed to raising standards together.

You will leave feeling more confident in your judgement and your role.

Community

The best ideas rarely come from working in isolation, and working in data can be a lonely role.

DiSH Live creates space for in-person conversations and relationship-building with people who care deeply about using data responsibly and effectively.

Who DiSH Live is for

You don’t need “data” in your job title – DiSH Live is for anyone involved in how organisations collect, manage, and use information.

Including:

• Data Protection Officers
• Data Governance Leads
• Records Managers
• Cyber Security teams
• Digital and Data teams
• Insight and Analytics teams
• Customer and Service leaders
• Risk and Compliance professionals
• Senior leaders responsible for strategy and accountability

If your work involves decisions about information, this is your crowd.

To maintain the collaborative nature of the event, attendance from vendors is limited, but a small number of organisations participate as event partners. See more information about becoming a DiSH Partner below.

More than an event

DiSH Live is part of a growing community of professionals who believe that data should be handled with care, clarity, and purpose.

People who want to move beyond:

• tick-box compliance
• defensive governance
• and endless policy documents.

And towards something better:

• Organisations that are confident in using data responsibly.
• Professionals who are trusted advisers, not internal blockers.
• And a community that genuinely learns from each other, and builds each other up.

DiSH Live is where that community comes together in person. The DiSH Network is where they get together online.

What to expect from DiSH Live

From the start, the event has been small, friendly, and engaging. Rather than hundreds of attendees sitting in rows listening to presentations, Hive Live – as the event was previously called – created space for genuine conversation, questions, and shared learning.

Each year it has brought together professionals responsible for data, governance, digital, and service improvement across purpose-driven organisations.

We’re moving to a new venue this year, after three brilliant years at the RAF Air Museum in Cosford, Shropshire; it was a great location, but we want somewhere with on-site accommodation to make it even easier for the community to gather before and after the main event. (We went to local pubs each year, but it meant a bit of extra travel for everyone.) We’re currently searching for a venue that offers a similarly unique experience as the museum, but also with the same type of accessibility as Cosford. A fairly central location, good travel links, level access, catering for various dietary needs, and accessible toilets and facilities are all on the must-haves list.

Learning from people doing the work

The sessions are designed to be engaging and interactive, not just presentations.

Speakers share their experience, but the room is always encouraged to question, discuss, and explore how the ideas apply in practice. Over the past three years we have welcomed so many fantastic presenters, here are just a few:

• Emma Martins, former Data Protection Commissioner for Guernsey, and current Chief Commissioner at the Data and Marketing Commission (UK) and Chair of the PICASSO (Privacy, InfoSec, Compliance, Culture, Awareness, Strategy & Operations) Awards
• Rowenna Fielding, Miss IG Geek herself, expert on handling data with integrity
• Dr Rob Rowlands, the ‘Curator of Curiosity’, encouraging us to ask the right questions
• Matt Baird, founder of the Social Housing Round Table, and known as ‘The Ethical Recruiter’, on creating a positive culture
• Emily Overton, aka RM Girl, with Records Management dos & don’ts
• Cédric Krummes, with easy ways to make the topic of data, and all communications, accessible to everyone.

We will be announcing this year’s line-up in a few weeks’ time, but we can promise you more of the same; inspiring, thought-provoking, and informative!

What makes the conversations different

The sessions spark lively discussions and practical ideas. Because the real value of the event lies in bringing thoughtful people together to explore better ways of working with data, and the audience is just as important as the speakers.

Attendees bring experience from across housing, charities, businesses of all sizes, and other purpose-driven sectors and organisations. The result is a room full of people who care about using information responsibly and effectively, many who have returned year after year.

That’s why the conversations often continue long after the sessions end – during breaks, at lunch, over evening drinks, and afterwards, in the connections people build. Nothing is forced though; we want everyone to be comfortable and attendees are welcome to get involved as much or as little as you want to.

The aim has never been to create the biggest event in the sector, but to create one of the most valuable and welcoming.

Join us at DiSH Live: Save the date

For Clarity – Capability – Confidence – Community

Tickets for DiSH Live

Full refunds are given for 7 days after booking, then refunds are on a sliding scale, but we can use our discretion to refund more. Full T&Cs are here. You can also transfer your ticket for free.

Patron Ticket (Community Supporter)

Patron tickets help support the DiSH community and contribute towards Pay It Forward places for professionals who might otherwise struggle to attend, while sustaining the conversations that make DiSH Live so special.

✔ Full conference access
✔ All sessions and discussions
✔ Lunch and refreshments during the conference
✔ Networking with peers
✔ Welcome Pack
✔ Help keep the event accessible and collaborative
✔ You/your organisation thanked online

£225 + VAT

Standard Ticket

✔ Full conference access
✔ All sessions and discussions
✔ Lunch and refreshments during the conference
✔ Networking with peers
✔ Welcome Pack

£165 + VAT

SOLD OUT: ‘Early Builder’ Ticket

A very limited number of ‘early builder’ tickets are available for those ready to secure your space early.

✔ Full conference access
✔ All sessions and discussions
✔ Lunch and refreshments during the conference
✔ Networking with peers
✔ Welcome Pack

£99 + VAT

Group Tickets

Many organisations choose to send more than one colleagues so they can reflect on the ideas together and apply them internally.

If your organisation would like to send three or more attendees, please get in touch to ask about group discounts.

Pay-It-Forward Places

Following the success of the scheme in 2025, when we were able to invite seven professionals to the event who wouldn’t have otherwise been able to attend, we’re delighted to offer Pay It Forward Places at the conference again. Details of how to apply or refer someone for a space coming soon…

Partner with DiSH Live

DiSH Live brings together professionals responsible for data, governance, compliance, and insight across purpose-led organisations.

For organisations offering tools, services, or expertise in this space, it’s also an opportunity to connect with a highly relevant audience. Not from behind a stand or a desk, but by supporting the spaces and experiences that make the event truly special.

Partnership opportunities, for an investment starting at £600 + VAT, include:

• Event Experience Partners
• Pay It Forward Partners

Each option is designed to provide meaningful engagement, not just logo placement (although your name and logo will be featured too!)

If you’re interested in partnering with DiSH Live, we’d love to hear from you.

Why DiSH Live Matters

Handled badly, data can create risk, confusion, and mistrust.

But handled well, it can transform how organisations understand their work and the people they serve.

The difference lies in the people making the decisions.

DiSH Live exists to support those people.

If you care about using information responsibly and effectively – and want to be part of a thoughtful, practical community working towards that goal – we would love to see you there.

What makes DiSH Live so special?

✔ A Safe Space: Network with fellow purpose-driven professionals in a genuinely safe space. Our delegates love the mix of people, the relaxed environment, and the smaller-sized event meaning you can chat comfortably to everyone you want to.

✔ Inclusive; we do everything we can to help everyone to be comfortable and catered for. From the choice of venue to dietary requirements, to the fact there’s no pressure to join in with interactive sessions if you’d rather not, we want you to be able to relax and be yourself.

✔ Engaging interactive sessions that provide actionable advice from fantastic speakers. Described as insightful, informative, and useful, previous presenters include former Guernsey Data Protection Commissioner, Emma Martins; Curator of Curiosity Dr Rob Rowlands; RM Girl aka Emily Overton; Cyber expert Chris Roberts of Cybata; Risk Management expert Becky Tucker of House of Risk; Digital Bark founder Dave Loudon; Social Housing Round Table founder and host, Matt Baird; and many more.

✔ Great value; the ticket price covers only the basic costs for the event – the unique venue, delicious refreshments, and – something especially important to us – speaker expenses – this conference is not a massive corporate money-spinner where profit overtakes purpose, and we don’t take advantage of our wonderful presenters, who are all chosen based on what they bring to the conversation.

✔ New name, same fantastic community; this is the conference formerly known as Hive Live, just getting better every year!

Frequently Asked Questions

Join us at DiSH Live 2026

For Clarity – Capability – Confidence – Community