The 4th Annual Graduate Development Program Leaders' Summit (EMEA)
The Graduate Development Program Leaders’ Summit is an annual conference for professionals who manage or support early talent development programs in the EMEA region. Join your peers on November 11th, 2026 in London for the 4th Annual GDP Summit. Click below to register!
Attended in 2025...
“With a focus on peer to peer learning and support, this is one of the most informative and engaging events for early careers professionals I’ve attended – huge thanks to the LDP Connect team”
Sophie Haskey – Early Careers Leader, L3Harris Technologies
GRADUATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM LEADERS' SUMMIT
Early talent development programs are globalizing. After many years of running the LDP Summit for early talent development professionals in North America, LDP Connect launched its 1st annual Graduate Development Program Leaders’ Summit in Europe in 2023. The second annual conference will happen in the Fall of 2024. If you lead, manage or support a graduate development program in Europe, join your peers for a day of connection and idea sharing with others in the region.
LDP Connect events focus on generating actionable takeaways through intimate discussion with peers. We recognize that innovation is happening everywhere in our community. Our mission is to provide a forum for people working in this important space to support and inspire each other. Click the button below to be notified when details are finalized for the 2024 GDP Summit.
Early talent development programs are globalizing. After many years of running the LDP Summit for early talent development professionals in North America, LDP Connect launched its 1st annual Graduate Development Program Leaders’ Summit in Europe in 2023. The fourth annual conference will happen in London on November 11th, 2026. If you lead, manage or support a graduate development program in EMEA, join your peers for a day of connection and idea sharing with others in the region.
LDP Connect events focus on generating actionable takeaways through intimate discussion with peers. We recognize that innovation is happening everywhere in our community. Our mission is to provide a forum for people working in this important space to support and inspire each other. Click the button below to register or click here to become a member and save 20%.
What Organizations Registered for the 2025 GDP Summit?
“Fantastic sessions – all topics very relevant. How great to have an early career forum.”
Sarah Mountford, L&D Specialist Finance and Academy – Nestle
“Incredibly tangible and strategic insights and discussions, with a great mix of session formats. Best networking at any conference I’ve attended.”
Anonymous 2025 GDP Summit attendee
“Applicable to my role on many levels and areas. Also great to hear from many different companies and industries.”
Nicole Furnia, Global Director of Early Talent – ABB
AGENDA
(subject to change)
November 10-11, 2026
London, UK
17:00 - 18:30
November 10: Informal PRE-CONFERENCE Gathering
Horse & Groom: 128 Great Portland St, London W1W 6PS, United Kingdom
November 11, 2025
44 Hallam Street, London, UK
08:00
Breakfast & Networking
08:30
Welcome & Introductions
09:00
Opening Keynote
Council Chamber
Product Marketing Strategist, Board Advisor and LinkedIn Top Voice in Thought Leadership
Archita Fritz
Session TBD
We’ve built strong early talent programs. But lately, it feels like the rules are being rewritten—faster than we can keep up. One week, a high-performing graduate seems on track for success. The next, they tell you the program’s not for them. Positions you planned to off-board participants into aren’t materializing as promised. You’re already doing the work of five roles: strategist, coach, change manager, salesperson, and emotional shock absorber. And we haven’t even spoken about AI yet! In this keynote, Archita Fritz shares what she’s seeing across organizations navigating the same fog, from boardrooms trying to scale fast, to line-managers holding it all together without a map. You’ll unpack:
– What product marketing can teach us about building trust, follow-through, and programs that stick
– How to integrate AI into your early talent function—without losing the human heart of it
– What early talent leaders must stop owning, start activating, and finally say out loud
This session won’t just validate the pressure you’re under; it’ll give you language to name it, and the clarity to start doing something about it.
If you’re tired of reinventing your program every six months…
If you’re the one people come to when everything else breaks…
If you’re nodding already, this isn’t a keynote; It’s a turning point. Bring a notebook, and bring your questions. And if you leave thinking “We can’t do this alone anymore”—you’re right. That’s exactly where the work begins.
10:00
Networking Break
10:15
Concurrent Session 1A
Council Chamber
Learning Manager at Veolia
Sarah Adams
Talent Development Specialist & Program Lead (early careers) at Mews
Irene Ferrigno
Early Careers Leader - UKI, Middle East & Africa at HPE
Matt Nicholls
Under-Graduate Programme Specialist at HSBC
Jack Oliver
Session TBD
What happens when Gen Z leads Gen Z? In this dynamic panel, early talent program managers who themselves belong to Gen Z share how they leverage generational insight to create more resonant, responsive, and results-driven experiences for participants. These managers bring a unique dual perspective: they understand firsthand the values, communication styles, and motivators of their peers—and they also bear the responsibility of aligning those needs with business outcomes. What gaps of understanding do they now recognize between Gen Z and program managers, having walked in both sets of shoes? What wisdom can they share on the participant’s perspective that might help us better connect and align with our participants. This session will provide candid, actionable insight for anyone designing or managing programs for Gen Z, offering a front-row seat into what it takes to lead from within the generation that’s redefining the future of work.
10:15
Concurrent Session 1B
Euston Suite
Early Careers HR Team Lead, Global Operations and IT at AstraZeneca
Dipa Grocott
Session TBD
A well-designed learning journey is essential for turning potential into performance—but if it’s outdated, even high-potential talent can stall. Gen Z craves flexibility, relevance, and purpose-driven impact. Accelerator programs, in particular, should not only build speed but also ensure that emerging talent is accelerating in the right direction—aligned with both business needs and personal growth paths. Join Dipa Grocott for a look at AstraZeneca’s recent reset of their program’s learning journey. Learn how AstraZeneca reinvented its early talent learning journey; using a creative mix of learning strategies & platforms, focusing on a core set of critical future capabilities and leveraging external development partners —making sure participants weren’t just moving fast, but moving with purpose.
11:15
Networking Break
11:30
Council Chamber
Community Interactive Session
Topic Tables: ‘Idea Snack” discussions
The landscape of managing early talent pipeline programs has changed dramatically over the past twelve months. The best help we get is from each other. What is your most pressing challenge as you navigate the new environment? Where do you need ideas, guidance or validation from your peers? Choose from several “topic tables” for open group discussion in this interactive community session. Stay with the same group, or pop in and out of these moderated intimate chats. Leave with ideas and confidence. Would you like to propose a topic for discussion?
12:30
Lunch
13:30
Concurrent Session 2A
Euston Suite
Gaming Technology and Production Instructor at 2K Games
Eoghan O’Donovan
Session TBD
Running a graduate development program is no small feat—it requires everything from meticulous admin skills to savvy internal negotiation to meaningful coaching and support. But expecting one person to do it all? That’s a recipe for burnout.
At 2K, they’ve taken a different path. By strategically splitting their early talent team into specialized roles, they ensure that each team member is doing what they do best—whether it’s managing logistics, building relationships, or guiding participants into the right roles. Join Eoghan Donovan as he shares 2K’s approach to structuring a high-performing early talent team. You’ll leave with practical ideas for how to better align your team’s strengths with the wide-ranging demands of your program—so nothing falls through the cracks and everyone stays in their zone of genius.
Concurrent Session 2B
Council Chamber
Commercial Graduate Program Manager at Fitch Solutions
Tamana Gulati
Session TBD
Who is the true customer in an early talent development program? Is it the participants eager to grow? The executive sponsors who fund and champion it? The business stakeholders relying on talent ready to deliver results? Or is it all of them at once? Many of the toughest challenges in running early talent programs come down to answering this deceptively simple question. And as business priorities shift, economies fluctuate, or your program matures, who takes priority can change too. In this interactive workshop, we’ll use coaching, storytelling, and peer discussion to unpack how defining your “true customer” can clarify decisions, align stakeholders, and help you deliver maximum value for everyone involved – even if you can’t satisfy everyone.
14:30
Networking Break
14:45
Council Chamber
"Rapid Fire" Session
A popular session format for LDP Connect events. Participant volunteers share a best practice, learning or challenge with the audience in 7 minutes or less. A quick exchange of actionable ideas, and an efficient introduction to others who may be wresting with the same challenge you’re wrestling with.
15:45
Networking Break
16:00
General Session
Council Chamber
Head of Early Careers at Newton
Gemma Elsen
Global Director of Talent Development at SAP Emarsys
Lucie Roth
Global Director, Talent & Organizational Effectiveness at VML
Vidhi Thakker
Head of Early Experience Learning CoE at Deloitte
Anastasia Womack
Session TBD
Early talent participants who thrive in the supportive environment of a structured program often feel abandoned and isolated when it ends. Without a clear next step, we risk losing them. How can we better connect early talent programs to a longer-term development strategy, so “off-program” feels like a progression, not a drop-off? How do early talent initiatives align and integrate with enterprise-wide talent development goals? What structures best support the post-program growth of participants—especially in organizations where mid-career development is informal or nonexistent? Whether you’re running an early talent program, overseeing enterprise talent strategy, or looking to better connect the two, this session will offer practical insights and real-world strategies for building a seamless development journey—from first job to future leader.
17:00
Close and Networking
This is the best conference I’ve been to for making it easy to connect to people in similar roles. The whole event is designed to make it very easy to meet to new people, learn from each other’s successes, share common challenges and hear ideas from your peers on how to tackle those.
Lorna Muir, Manager Early Career Programs
Absolutely excellent. Extremely relevant and reassuring to connect with peers. Invaluable to make these connections!
Abby Kelly, Emerging Talent Specialist – Ocado Group
Cavendish Venue
44 Hallam Street
London W1W 6JJ, United Kingdom
Questions? Please contact Susie.Likovic@LDPConnect.com
FAQ
Why should I attend the Graduate Development Programme (GDP) Leaders' Summit?
Because your company and program participants are depending on you to make your programs as successful as possible. Your job is challenging and no one understands those challenges and YOU better than your peers. Invest in attending the GDP Summit and you’ll walk out with ideas, friends and a whole bunch of positive energy to make your programs more successful.
What will I get from attending the GDP Summit?
Inspiration, validation, connections, ideas, a sense of progress and a sense of time wel-invested in your OWN development.
What's unique about the GDP Summit?
The GDP Summit was founded in 2023 to focus exclusively on early talent development and how to optimize the structured programs that exist to promote it. We emphasize small group discussion, and practical takeaways. Although early talent acquisition touches our space, we are not a recruiting conference. There are no university career services professionals, and the vast majority of our content is produced and delivered early talent development professionals like you.
What content does the GDP Summit cover?
Here is a link to the agenda of this year’s conference. You can also see past agendas for 2025, 2024, and 2023. GDP Summit sessions cover many tactical issues in running successful early talent development programs, and often tackle larger strategic questions about early talent development in general.
Is there a group discount?
Yes! If you send more than one person, you get a 5% discount on all attendees. Please contact Susie.Likovic@LDPconnect.com for the team discount coupon code. ALSO, if you send at least four people, your full team will be invited to our exclusive Team Workshop session designed for attending teams from the same organization. Bring your colleagues and build something together.
What do past attendees say about the GDP Summit?
Many attendees come back year over year to connect with colleagues and share innovations in early talent program management. Here are some testimonials from past attendees.
What if I have more questions about the Summit?
If you have more questions about the GDP Summit or about the LDP Connect community, please contact us at membership@LDPconnect.com.
Some Participating Organizations
LDP Connect includes professionals from many of the world’s marquis employers, including 40% of the Fortune 100.
