Insights ¦ UKRN-Annual-Delivery-Plan-2025-26

Key Take Aways

1. The UKRN’s Annual Delivery Plan for 2025–26 articulates a clear strategy aligned with six core objectives, prioritising collaboration, sustainability, vulnerability, economic growth, effective regulation, and careers in regulation.

2. The organisation maintains a flexible and agile approach, allowing swift adaptation to geopolitical and macroeconomic shifts, which is critical for managing risk and delivering value in a dynamic environment.

3. A significant emphasis is placed on fostering collaboration across regulators, government bodies, academia, think tanks, and external stakeholders through networks, forums, and joint events.

4. UKRN supports the transition to net zero, advocating for regulators’ roles in climate mitigation and adaptation, and facilitating discussions on biodiversity, ESG practices, and just transitions.

5. There is a focus on addressing vulnerability issues, notably cost-of-living challenges and consumer protection, with dedicated networks and planned development of the 2026 Vulnerability Academy.

6. The organisation promotes sustainable economic growth by supporting regulators in investment, infrastructure, and resilience, including ongoing engagement with investor groups and preparing updates on cost of capital metrics.

7. UKRN actively champions effective regulation through publicity, engagement with parliamentarians, and via digital channels, aiming to enhance the understanding and reputation of regulation.

8. Developing a career path within regulation is a strategic focus, with activities including internships, NED placements, shared mentoring programmes, and resource hubs to boost attractiveness and diversity.

9. The organisation facilitates bi-annual stakeholder engagement and runs multiple forums, ensuring alignment of activities with governmental priorities and emerging issues like AI and digital regulation.

10. The transition of external risks—such as government policy shifts—are monitored, with internal risks managed via an updated risk management framework, though the external environment remains notably influential.

11. Key events, including conferences, roundtables, and workshops, serve as platforms for thought leadership, networking, and shaping policy discussions, reinforcing UKRN’s role as a catalyst in regulation discussions.

12. The organisation’s approach exemplifies a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder engagement strategy designed to promote innovation, trust, and long-term resilience within the regulatory ecosystem.

Key Statistics

• Over 30,000 views of the UKRN jobs board.

• More than 180,000 views of the UKRN website.

• Over 172,000 impressions on LinkedIn.

• More than 1,300 hits on the 2024 Cost of Capital report.

• Over 3,200 views of the letter on Debt Collection (2024).

• 16 interns placed in the 2025 cohort of the Next Gen NEDs scheme across seven regulators.

• 16 candidates placed through the Next Gen NEDs Scheme in the 2025 cohort, with interns and NEDs working across multiple sectors.

Key Discussion Points

• The organisation’s strategy is based on six core objectives that prioritise collaborative approaches and stakeholder engagement.

• UKRN’s agile model enables rapid response to external shifts, especially in areas of climate policy, economic resilience, and regulatory innovation.

• The importance of fostering partnerships, including government, NGOs, academia, and investor communities, to support sustainable growth and climate goals.

• The organisation plays a pivotal role in supporting regulators’ efforts on climate change, biodiversity, and environmental standards, including active participation in Forum activities.

• Addressing vulnerability, particularly in relation to cost of living and consumer protection, remains a central thematic focus with planned capacity-building initiatives.

• The use of networks, forums, and joint events facilitates knowledge sharing, thought leadership, and policy influence across sectors and governance levels.

• The emphasis on talent development through internships, NED placements, and mentoring reflects a strategic effort to establish regulation as an attractive and diverse career pathway.

• Regular stakeholder engagement and participation in conferences underline UKRN’s role as a convenor, influencer, and promoter of regulatory excellence.

• External risks linked to political change and policy direction are closely monitored, with internal risk frameworks supporting strategic resilience.

• Organisational activities are aligned with government priorities, notably in decarbonisation, green investment, and digital regulation, ensuring relevance and impact.

• The organisation’s communications strategy, including social media and publications, aim to enhance transparency, reinforce its value, and communicate the importance of effective regulation.

• Future plans include continuous review of progress, development of new training and capability programmes, and enhancement of impact measurement methodologies.

Document Description

This article functions as an organisational strategic document, outlining UKRN’s Annual Delivery Plan for 2025–26. It details the organisation’s strategic objectives, planned activities, stakeholder engagement strategies, and performance metrics aimed at fostering collaboration, supporting climate transition, advancing consumer protection, promoting sustainable growth, and strengthening the reputation and attractiveness of regulation careers. The article also provides a comprehensive year-in-review, highlighting past achievements, external and internal risk considerations, and key events, all reinforcing UKRN’s role as a catalyst for excellence in regulation within a complex and evolving landscape.