BLOG: Looking back at this year’s Student Governor Destination Conference: London 25

Unstoppable Energy, Unforgettable Impact: Inside the First-Ever Student Governor Destinations Conference in London 2025

What do you get when you combine the ambition of young changemakers, the prestige of Burberry’s London headquarters, and a powerful collaboration between Unloc and Rockborn? You get an electric, inspiring, and unforgettable day that marked the launch of the very first Student Governor Destinations Conference, AND our first ever Student Governor of the Year Award, and we are still buzzing from it.

*The conference was held at Burberry’s London Headquarters and welcomed young changemakers and their college professionals from across the country. It was electric.*

This wasn’t just another conference. It was a celebration of student leadership, a gathering of passionate voices, and a platform to spotlight those making real change in their colleges and communities. And yes, it absolutely lived up to the hype.

From the very first moment, the energy in the room was undeniable. The space was packed with student governors, governance professionals, and inspiring thought leaders from across the country. The goal? To elevate, connect, and empower a new generation of changemakers. Recognise their input and impact, learn best practice from one another, network and celebrate the difference they make.

The day was filled with dynamic workshops and thought-provoking panel discussions, but it was the atmosphere that truly made it special, the kind of buzz you only get when people are genuinely passionate about what they’re doing.

*One Young World’s **Ella Robertson McKay** was one of the dynamic guest speakers at the event*

And the speaker lineup? Next level. We were joined by a stellar cast of changemakers and leaders who shared their insights and stories, including:

Shelagh Legrave CBE – Further Education Commissioner
Ella Robertson McKay – Director, One Young World
Mel Stocker – VP, Burberry
Lisa Humphries – VP, Chichester College Group
Tom Matthew – Former Student Governor and shining example of the journey from student voice to professional impact

**Shelagh Legrave CBE** – Further Education Commissioner with her poignant and powerful speech

Their collective message was clear: student voice matters, and young leaders are not just the future, they are the now.

But the day wasn’t just about conversation. It was about recognition too. For the very first time, we held the Student Governor of the Year Award ceremony, and the response was overwhelming. For the passt few months colleges across the country have nominated their standout governors, and the calibre of nominees was nothing short of inspiring. Choosing a winner was no easy task for the panel, in fact, it was a total nightmare.

After much consideration, we were thrilled to present the award to Ivy Knight, a 20-year-old floristry student from Moulton College. Ivy has been a force for good at her college since 2021, using her role as a Student Governor to drive meaningful change — and always doing it with integrity, courage, and heart.

Ivy recieves her Student Governor of the Year Award from the Further Education Commissioner **Shelagh Legrave CBE**

From joining sustainability and EDI groups to calling out issues like bullying, accessibility, and environmental shortcomings, Ivy has shown what it means to lead with purpose. Her attention to detail, her relentless drive, and her commitment to improvement are exactly what this award was designed to celebrate. Ivy always confidently and appropriately calls it out when things need improving, be this bullying of the LGBTQ+ community, poor accessibility for wheelchair users or lack of information around sustainability. Ivy didn’t just speak up — she created change.

*Ivy is the absolute A star example of everything a young changemaker should be, taking positive action to create change and improve the world around her.*

As Ivy herself puts it:
“I’ve always been passionate about making a difference and having my voice heard, and participating as a Student Governor gave me a platform to channel this alongside my studies.”

Well said, Ivy, and well deserved.

The Student Governor Destinations Conference wasn’t just a success, it was a movement in motion. We’re beyond proud to have launched this event with our brilliant partners at Rockborn and to have celebrated the power of student leadership in such a bold and vibrant way.

To everyone who attended, contributed, nominated, or simply cheered from afar: thank you. You made this event what it was, energetic, empowering, and absolutely unforgettable. Also special thanks to another partner of Unloc, the amazing team at Burberry for providing such a fantastic venue to hold this debut event. We appreciate you!

Here’s to Ivy. Here’s to every student governor out there. And here’s to the future they’re already shaping, we’ll see you at next year’s Destination Conference event!