Alissa takes the title!

We returned to Wychwood Park Hotel in Crewe last week for the Autumn Young England and Wales Programme. The title England and Wales Young Thinker of the Year 2026 was awarded to Alissa Sattentau from the Howard League for Penal Reform. Her beautifully crafted Argument paper on surveillance transported us across time from the Berlin Wall coming down in 1989 to the adoption of live facial recognition in 2026. It was evocative, gripping and original. Alissa was an expressive presenter with great presence at the lectern.

The runner-up award went to Fatima Mir from the Pension Protection Fund for a compassionate paper on bereavement support in the workplace. She took on a difficult subject – one which will affect us all at some point of our lives – and tackled it with great care and consideration.

The winning group in the Group Challenge was Group B (Oscar Marsh, Cornwall Council; Amina Thorley, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; Shem West, Pension Protection Fund; Hazel Williams, Wigan Council). Their presentation on the concept of ‘Identity’ included excellent teamwork and they explored the concept in depth, from the workplace and home life, to temptation and expectation.

A special award for best 90-Second Challenge went to a delegate from the Civil Service. When asking 'Why do I feel like I am being unfaithful to my barber?', they demonstrated an masterclass in storytelling, with a fluent and entertaining presentation.

Thank you to all delegates for their hard work and support for each other!

Our next Young England and Wales Programme will be held in Crewe in April 2027. To book now, please see upcoming events (a brochure will be available in October).