Xiaohongshu
This motivating, forward‑looking keynote focuses on taking action — even small steps during your time at university — and how these can build confidence and shape your future. Hugh shares practical advice and the early‑career habits that helped him grow, offering an honest, grounded perspective on building momentum. Ideal for students who benefit from real stories rather than polished narratives, this keynote encourages you to start where you are and take the next small step.
Skill focus: Confidence, Initiative
Meet your keynote speaker:
Hugh Viney is the founder and CEO of Minerva Virtual Academy (MVA), one of the UK’s fastest‑growing online schools, now supporting more than 1,500 students across 60 countries. A long‑time advocate for rethinking traditional education, Hugh’s work centres on a simple question: how can we make school fit the child, rather than the other way around?
Under his leadership, MVA has become the largest online school of its kind to be accredited by the Department for Education and has earned multiple national awards - including repeated wins for Online School of the Year and Tutoring Business of the Year. Hugh himself was named Education Innovator of the Year in 2025. His educational philosophy prioritises student wellbeing, confidence and interdisciplinary learning, and his mission is to create flexible, supportive pathways that help young people thrive.
Please note that seating for the keynote sessions are first come, first served basis, so try to grab a seat early!