The Kerfuffle Conference will return in July with a clear and confident theme “Built on Trust” bringing together senior estate and letting agents, suppliers and industry leaders for what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events in the property calendar.
Following a highly successful 2025 conference, the event will once again focus on the fundamentals that matter most to agents: trust in suppliers, trust in advice, trust in leadership and trust in long-term partnerships.
And leading the day again is returning headline speaker Josh Phegan, who is back exclusively for Kerfuffle for his only public appearance following his standout appearance last year and he’s as excited as we are:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8UwtAjsFzU&feature=youtu.be
Joining him is Alastair Campbell, former Director of Communications and Strategy to Tony Blair and co-host of The Rest Is Politics podcast. Campbell will explore leadership under pressure, credibility, reputation and decision-making in an era of scrutiny and scepticism.
Former Porsche UK CEO Kevin Gaskell adds a further leadership dimension, drawing onhis experience of business transformation, turnaround and execution at board level. His session will focus on what it really takes to deliver results when conditions are tough and expectations are high.
Providing a wider economic and geopolitical lens, Robert Guest, senior editor at The Economist, will examine the global forces shaping markets, confidence and consumer behaviour — and why trust in institutions, systems and leadership has become increasingly fragile.
Commenting on the confirmed line-up, Simon Whale, founder of Kerfuffle, said:
“From day one, our intention with the Kerfuffle Conference was to prioritise substance over noise. This line-up reflects that ambition — combining industry relevance with wider perspectives on leadership, economics and trust. These are speakers who challenge thinking, not just fill slots. We’ve got more incredible speakers joining the roster over the coming weeks.”
The 2026 conference already boasts a strong mix of respected industry voices and high-profile speakers. From an industry perspective, confirmed on stage are Verona Frankish, Clare Yates, Simon Gates and Adam Day, alongside.
Simon Whale said:
“Built on Trust isn’t just a theme — it’s how the best businesses in our industry actually operate. This conference is about stripping away the hype and focusing on people, ideas and partnerships that genuinely make a difference. We wanted a venue that can match the quality of the speakers and the ICC is second to none.”
Some of the feedback from last year:
Paul Hardy, Managing Director at LSL, added:
“Knowing Simon Whale as I do, it pains me to say this but last year’s conference was actually very good — great content with interesting speakers and a great evening event. Here’s to doing it all again in 2026!”
Angela Dixon, Director at THW Estate Agents (South Lakes), commented:
“For us to take a couple of days out to come down from the Lakes, the event needs to deliver — and it absolutely did in spades. The Kerfuffle Conference was brilliant from start to finish: smart content, great energy, impressive suppliers and the kind of conversations you just don’t get at most industry events. Genuinely useful during the day, and a lot of fun in the evening.”
Richard Fowler, Director at Richard James, added:
“The iconic venue was amazing with great speakers… Really good day all round, a couple of minor clichés but you should be very proud of staging such a brilliant event.”
From a supplier perspective, the conference is also driving positive feedback:
Heather Staff, Co-Founder of Street Group, who are Platinum Sponsors on the day said: “We’re proud to be supporting the Kerfuffle Conference again as Platinum sponsors. What sets Kerfuffle apart is its focus on substance. Real conversations, practical insight, and long-term thinking, which mirrors how we approach building technology for agents. The ‘Built on Trust’ theme really resonates with us, and we’re looking forward to being part of an event that consistently brings together thoughtful leadership, strong partnerships, and an engaged agent community.”
Richard Price, Managing Director at Dezrez, said:
“From a supplier perspective, the Kerfuffle and RAN conferences were two of the real highlights of last year. They brought together great agents in fantastic venues, and created events where you genuinely want to spend time in the room.
At Dezrez we’ve always believed in being true partners to our clients rather than just another supplier, and Kerfuffle absolutely shares that mindset. The team are brilliant to work with throughout the year, and the collaboration always feels natural and authentic. This year’s speaker line-up looks incredible, and with the conference taking place on our home turf in South Wales.
That’s why we’re delighted to be doubling down and becoming Platinum sponsors for the first time. We can’t wait to be part of what promises to be an outstanding event.”
The 2026 conference will again be held at the ICC Newport and will combine a high-impact daytime conference with a dedicated evening programme — a format that has become a defining feature of the event.
Further information and announcements, including additional speakers and agenda details, and tickets which go on sale soon can all be found here:
https://members.kerfuffle.com/builtontrust26
