Sheffield Ambassador Programme

Sheffield’s Conference Ambassador Programme is a city-wide initiative dedicated to attracting major national and international conferences to Sheffield.  The programme supports academics, medical specialists, and experts from industry sectors in bidding for conferences to be hosted here.

Secure Prestigious Events for Sheffield

Sheffield's Conference Ambassadors are experts in their field, in everything from particle physics to orthopaedic surgery, and a world of specialisms in between.

By bringing events to the city, these ambassadors not only generate substantial economic impact, but also raise the profile of our prestigious institutions and research areas - they are telling the world where Sheffield leads the way and are helping to drive the city's reputation as a conference destination.

Ambassador led events coming to Sheffield in 2025 include: British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Clinical Genetics Society Conference, European Society for Cognitive Psychology.

Elegant exhibition inside a grand hall with ornate columns, arched windows, and a decorative ceiling featuring a large chandelier. Visitors browse display booths arranged in a square layout around a central tree.

Why be involved?

When you bid to host a conference in Sheffield our team are ready to support you at every stage of the process. Those that join our ambassador programme receive access to comprehensive support. We will help you pull your bid information together. We will provide organisational support such as identifying the best venues and hotels, event management companies and special experiences and offers for your delegates.

Better still our ambassadors join a network of like minded individuals. We’ll invite you to networking events, our annual dinner and give you access to VIP opportunities. And you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you are directly contributing to the economic success of the city and Sheffield’s reputation on the international stage. What’s not to like?

A formal event with multiple round tables covered in white tablecloths, set with wine bottles, glasses, candles, and table numbers. Attendees are seated and dressed in business or formal attire, listening attentively. The background shows a softly lit venue with decorative elements and a display case.

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about the programme or discuss a possible conference you would like to host, we'd love to hear from you!

Please contact Gemma Tissington at Marketing Sheffield on
0114 273 5978 or email Gemma.Tissington@sheffield.gov.uk

A formal dinner event with guests seated at a long wooden table decorated with tall floral arrangements and lit candles. The table is set with wine glasses, bottles of wine, and plates. In the foreground, two people are engaged in conversation, one wearing a bright red outfit and the other in teal. The background shows more attendees seated closely together, with warm ambient lighting and purple uplighting on the walls.

Meet our Ambassadors

Meena Balasubramanian
Meena Balasubramanian, Professor of Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, University of Sheffield; Clinical Director of Research, Sheffield Children’s NHS Trust; Executive Director, SCYPHeR Partnership; Honorary Consultant Clinical Geneticist
Marta Cohen OBE
A person with short, straight auburn hair wearing a patterned jacket over a black top. The individual has a layered necklace with black oval beads. The background features vertical panels in bright colors, including red, orange, and green.
David Sanders
Person wearing a dark suit jacket over a light-colored, striped collared shirt, standing in front of a wooden bookshelf filled with books.
Paul Dimitri
A person wearing a dark navy suit with a white dress shirt, seated on a red cushioned examination table in a clinical setting. A stethoscope hangs around the neck, suggesting a medical professional. The background includes a light blue frosted glass panel and a section of white drawers on the right side.
Simona Francese
Simona Francese, Professor of Forensic and Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry
Sean Marven
Sean Marven, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at Sheffield Children's Hospital
Nicolas Nicolaou
Nicolas Nicolaou, Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon at Sheffield Children's Hospital
Steve Haake OBE
A person wearing a dark navy suit with a white dress shirt, seated on a red cushioned examination table in a clinical setting. A stethoscope hangs around the neck, suggesting a medical professional. The background includes a light blue frosted glass panel and a section of white drawers on the right side.
Christine Le Maitre
Christine Le Maitre, Professor of Musculoskeletal Cell Biology and Tissue Regeneration at The University of Sheffield
Elspeth Whitby
A person dressed in a black blazer with a patterned top underneath, seated indoors. The blazer has a red poppy pin on the lapel, and the individual is wearing a pearl necklace. The background features a glass window, a plant arrangement, and decorative items on a wooden surface.
Swati Jha
Swati Jha, Professor (University of Sheffield) and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (Subspecialist in Urogynaecology) at The Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Andrew Messenger
Andrew Messenger, Semi-retired dermatologist, previously a consultant at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Tony Ryan OBE
A person wearing a light blue button-up shirt layered with a dark textured vest, standing indoors near a glass partition. The background includes softly lit panels and a warm-toned interior, suggesting an office or professional setting.

Ambassador News

Sheffield celebrates 15 years of its Conference Ambassador Programme as new centre of excellence gets green light.
Four people standing together indoors at an event, positioned in front of a backdrop with a large screen displaying a partial logo. The group is surrounded by decorative balloon arrangements in black, pink, and silver. The setting includes grey panelled walls and visible signage in the background, suggesting a formal or celebratory occasion.
Sheffield confirmed to host International Stillbirth Alliance Conference in 2023
A modern, pyramid-shaped building with a striking geometric design featuring a mix of glass panels and wooden lattice structures. The facade reflects the blue sky, and the building is surrounded by trees and a few older brick buildings on the left. The entrance area has large glass doors, and the street in front includes signage and a lamppost.
Conference makes Sheffield the child's knee capital
The Oval Hall at Sheffield City Hall. Grand auditorium with tiered seating and a large stage featuring a projection screen. The ornate ceiling has an intricate geometric design with a central stained-glass dome and a hanging light fixture. The stage is framed by black curtains, and the seating area includes multiple balconies with curved railings.

Ambassador Case Studies

20th International Coeliac Disease Symposium

5th – 7th September 2024: 600 delegates from 38 countries: Main Conference at Sheffield City Hall: Gala Dinner at Cutlers’ Hall: Satellite meetings at Mercure St Paul’s Hotel and Spa

"Sheffield was an ‘unknown’ city by comparison to previous venues; Paris, New York, Amsterdam, Prague and Sorrento, but it held its own.  In all honestly. I was proud to be a Sheffielder".Professor David Sanders, Conference Organiser

An elegant auditorium with tiered seating arranged in a semi-circular layout. The seats are upholstered in deep blue fabric, and the space features multiple balconies with matching seating. Warm lighting illuminates the curved wooden panels and the ornate, patterned ceiling. The overall design conveys a grand and formal atmosphere suitable for concerts, lectures, or large events.

European Fingerprint Working Group

17th - 20th September 2024: 100 delegates. Main Conference at Sheffield  Cutlers’ Hall, Closing conference lunch at Cambridge St Collective

"Thank you for all you have done, the conference was a big success as said by everyone there and we couldn't have organised it without your support Simona Francese

The exterior of Cutlers' Hall. A historic stone building with neoclassical architecture featuring tall columns, large rectangular windows, and ornate detailing above the entrance. The facade includes decorative carvings and a crest at the top center. Tram tracks run along the street in front, and green leaves from a nearby tree frame the upper part of the image.

Sheffield Inspires.

Always has.
Always will.

Discover how Sheffield inspires places, organisations and people all over the world, through the words, pictures, and videos.

Find out more
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