The way major infrastructure, development and regeneration projects are planned and delivered is changing. Join the Society of Land Referencers for our third annual Land with Certainty Conference, the UK's dedicated land referencing conference, bringing together land referencers, project sponsors, clients and professionals from across the wider industry for a day of practical insight, open discussion and collaboration.
At a time of significant planning reform, evolving expectations around landowner engagement and rapid advances in digital technology and AI, the conference will explore what these changes mean for our profession and how we can collectively shape the standards, skills and approaches needed for the future.
The conference will be followed by SoLR’s Birmingham Networking Event at the Indian Brewery, with food and drinks and the opportunity to continue conversations in the relaxed, sociable atmosphere for which our profession is known.
SoLR member tickets are just £95, making this an accessible and excellent-value day of professional development, collaboration and networking.Secure your place and join the people helping to shape the future of land referencing.
With thanks to Ardent, Carter Jonas, Mott MacDonald and WSP for sponsoring the conference, Jim Harvey and The Message Business for facilitating and helping shape the conference, all of our volunteer SoLR members for arranging the event and Apogee for providing the printed materials.
An investment in people and better project delivery. For employers, the conference offers more than a day away from live projects. It is a focused investment in professional capability, confidence and connection.
Delegates will return with broader land referencing and industry awareness, practical ideas and new relationships that can support better decision-making, more consistent practice and stronger project delivery.
Land with Certainty is designed to be participative. Whatever your level of experience, you will have opportunities to contribute your perspective, test ideas with others and learn from people working across some of the UK’s most important infrastructure and development projects.
Through expert presentations, a panel discussion and two interactive sessions, delegates will:
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Gain current insight from project sponsors, clients and industry specialists.
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Explore effective landowner engagement in the changing planning environment.
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Collaborate on delivering best practice within the realities of live projects.
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Hear the latest thinking on digital innovation, HM Land Registry, professional recognition and SoLR’s technical standards.
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Build valuable connections across the land referencing and infrastructure community.
Read Isobel Fisk's review of our 2025 Land with Certainty Conference.
Isobel reflects on how the challenges facing land referencers and the projects they serve, mirror those encountered in digital product design, following her experience at SoLR’s second annual conference.
Tickets
Tickets are £145, discounted to £95 for SoLR members. Log into your SoLR account to unlock your discount. Tickets are subject to a small processing fee.
If you would like to buy tickets via invoice, please contact hello@solr.org.uk
Membership Offer42 days to the eventThu 22 OctBirmingham Town HallMapping the future of land referencing in a new era of planning and infrastructure delivery.
Agenda
Heading 5
9:30 - 10:00
Registration & Networking Activity
Registration & Networking Activity
Heading 5
10:00 - 10:15
Welcome
Chair
Jim Harvey
Managing Director, The Message Business
Heading 5
10:15 - 10:25
SoLR Update
Update from the Society of Land Referencers
Mark Aanensen, Simon Harth, Chris Simpson
SoLR Board
Heading 5
10:25 - 11:40
Interactive Session 1
Landowner Engagement Post Planning and Infrastructure Act 2026
Delegates
Heading 5
11:40 - 12:00
Morning Refreshments
Morning Refreshments
Heading 5
12:00 - 12:40
Panel Discussion
Kirsty Young
Head of Land & Property at East West Rail
Heading 5
12:00 - 12:40
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Richard Wilkinson
Cory Group
Heading 5
12:00 - 12:40
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion
Tom Kerry
National Gas
Heading 5
12:00 - 12:40
Panel Discussion
Tom Hacker
Engagement
Heading 5
12:40 - 12:50
Professional Recognition for Land Referencers
Professional Recognition for Land Referencers
Mike Crowther
Professional Recognition
Heading 5
12:50 - 13:50
Lunch (provided)
Lunch (provided)
Heading 5
13:50 - 14:50
Digital Session & HMLR Update
Dr Hodkin will speak on the latest updates in the development of the NUAR – where it’s got to so far, and where it’s going, in particular taking account of the recent announcement of new users being invited to express an interest in taking part in Sandbox testing.
Dr David Hodkin
National Underground Asset Register (NUAR)
Heading 5
13:50 - 14:50
Digital Session & HMLR Update
Lynne Nicholson
HM Land Registry
Heading 5
14:50 - 15:10
SoLR Standards
Introducing technical standards for land referencing
Ashley Parry Jones
SoLR Standards & Ethics Sub-committee Chair & Head of Land, WSP
Heading 5
15:10 - 15:30
Afternoon refreshments
Afternoon refreshments
Heading 5
15:30 - 16:45
Interactive Session 2
Delivering Best Practice in a Real-World Project Environment
Delegates
Heading 5
16:45 - 17:00
Closing Remarks
Jim Harvey
Managing Director, The Message Business
Heading 5
17:30 onwards
Birmingham Evening Networking Event
Birmingham Evening Networking Event
EVENING NETWORKING EVENT
The conference will be followed by SoLR’s Birmingham Networking Event at the Indian Brewery, with food and drinks and the opportunity to continue conversations in the relaxed, sociable atmosphere for which our profession is known.
Indian Brewery Taproom
1 Mary Ann St, Birmingham B3 1RL
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Land with Certainty Conference?
Land with Certainty is the Society of Land Referencers’ annual conference, bringing together professionals from across land referencing, infrastructure, planning, property, legal and stakeholder engagement. The conference provides a dedicated forum to share knowledge, explore emerging challenges and help shape best practice across the profession.
When and where is the Land with Certainty Conference 2026?
The Land with Certainty Conference 2026 takes place on Thursday 22 October 2026 at Birmingham Town Hall. Its central Birmingham location makes the conference easily accessible by public transport from across the UK.
Who should attend the conference?
The conference is designed for anyone involved in land referencing or the acquisition, management and understanding of land and property interests for infrastructure and development projects.
This includes land referencers, project sponsors and clients, planners, surveyors, lawyers, stakeholder and landowner engagement professionals, GIS and digital specialists, and others working across infrastructure and the built environment.
Do I need to be a Society of Land Referencers member to attend?
No. The conference is open to both SoLR members and non-members. SoLR members benefit from a discounted conference ticket, while we warmly welcome professionals from across the wider infrastructure, property and planning sectors.
How much are conference tickets?
Tickets are £95 for SoLR members and £145 for non-members.
The ticket provides access to the full conference programme, including presentations, panel discussions and interactive sessions, as well as opportunities to meet and network with professionals from across the industry.
What topics will the conference cover?
The 2026 programme explores some of the most important issues affecting land referencing and infrastructure delivery, including landowner engagement, planning and infrastructure reform, professional recognition, digital innovation, HM Land Registry, SoLR standards and best practice in project delivery.
The programme combines technical insight with practical experience and discussion about the future of the profession.
See the agenda here.
Is the conference suitable for early-career land referencers?
Yes. Land with Certainty is designed for people at all stages of their careers, from those who are relatively new to land referencing through to experienced practitioners, technical specialists and industry leaders.
For early-career professionals in particular, the conference is an opportunity to develop industry knowledge, understand emerging best practice and build connections across the wider land referencing community.
Can attending the conference count towards CPD?
The conference provides a full day of professional learning and development across technical, professional and industry topics. Attendees may therefore wish to record relevant sessions as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD), subject to the requirements of their own professional body or employer.
Why should employers support staff to attend?
Land with Certainty provides concentrated professional development specifically relevant to people working in land referencing and related infrastructure disciplines.
Attendees can learn from practitioners and industry leaders, understand emerging standards and changes affecting the profession, exchange knowledge with peers and bring practical ideas and learning back into their organisations. It also provides valuable opportunities to develop professional networks across clients, consultants and the wider industry.
Will there be opportunities to network?
Yes. Networking and collaboration are an important part of Land with Certainty. There will be opportunities throughout the day to meet other delegates, speakers, sponsors and organisations from across the land referencing and infrastructure community.
The conference is followed by an evening networking event, providing an informal opportunity to continue conversations and make new connections.
Where can I find the conference agenda?
The full conference agenda is available on this page and includes details of the presentations, discussions and interactive sessions taking place throughout the day. Further speaker and programme information will be added as it is confirmed.
View the agenda here.
How do I book tickets?
Tickets can be booked online through the Society of Land Referencers website. Select either the SoLR member or non-member ticket option and complete your registration online.
Book tickets here.
Places are limited, so we recommend booking early, particularly if several people from your organisation are planning to attend.
I have another question about the conference.
Who should I contact?
If you have a question about tickets, accessibility, the programme, sponsorship or attending the conference, please get in touch with the Society of Land Referencers: hello@solr.org.uk and we’ll be happy to help.