Meet Our Opening Keynote Speaker: Alex Barker

We're delighted to welcome Alex Barker, co-founder of the bestselling movement How to: Be More Pirate, as the opening keynote speaker at NEUPC Connect 2026.

This year's conference theme, The Power of Procurement: Skills, Learning & Impact, is all about challenging ourselves to think differently, embrace new ideas and equip ourselves for the future. Alex's keynote is the perfect way to begin that journey.

Be More Pirate

Forget the stereotypes of eye patches and parrots. The pirates Alex talks about weren't simply outlaws – they were innovators who challenged the status quo, created democratic, high-performing teams and built fairer, more effective ways of working.

Operating with limited resources, competing against organisations far larger than themselves and adapting quickly to changing circumstances, their story has surprising parallels with the challenges facing higher education today.

As procurement professionals continue to navigate financial pressures, technological change, increasing expectations and evolving legislation, the ability to question established ways of working has never been more important.

Rethinking the Rules

Every organisation has unwritten rules – processes, behaviours and assumptions that are rarely questioned simply because "that's how we've always done it."

But in a world shaped by artificial intelligence, constrained budgets and rapidly changing expectations, standing still is becoming a greater risk than embracing change.

Drawing on the ideas behind two bestselling books, Alex will explore how organisations can challenge outdated thinking, encourage innovation and create meaningful change without unnecessary disruption.

Practical Inspiration

Far more than a motivational keynote, delegates will leave with practical tools and techniques to help them:

  • Challenge traditional ways of thinking constructively.
  • Build confidence to embrace change.
  • Encourage creativity and innovation within their teams.
  • Navigate uncertainty with courage.
  • Create lasting cultural change that delivers real impact.

Using behavioural science and real-life examples from organisations that have successfully rewritten their own rules, Alex will demonstrate why thoughtful rebellion isn't something to fear—it's a powerful catalyst for progress.

As procurement continues to evolve as a strategic function within higher education, this inspiring keynote will encourage delegates to consider one important question:

If the old rules no longer serve us, what new rules should we create?

Join us at NEUPC Connect 2026 to hear Alex Barker open what promises to be an inspiring day of learning, collaboration and fresh thinking.

Ready to be a little more pirate? 🏴‍☠️ Secure your place at NEUPC Connect here.