Bright Network at the ISE Student Recruitment Conference 2025

At the end of June, members of the Bright Network team headed to Birmingham for the ISE Student Recruitment Conference – the ISE’s flagship event that brings together ambitious professionals from across the sector to share ideas, spark conversation and shape the future of student recruitment.

Over two days, members of our team – Josh Triggs, Katie Fenton, Paul Porter, Johnson Adeyanju, Helen Conde, Adam Moore and Kirsten Barnes – joined keynotes, panel discussions and breakout sessions covering everything from AI and ethics to neuro-inclusion, self-screening, ROI and Gen Z’s shifting expectations. We left full of ideas, a notebook full of insights and lots to bring back to the employer partners we support.

We were also proud to be highly commended in the Outstanding Employer & Supplier Award in partnership with EY – a huge well done to our B2B Marketing team and a big thank you to EY for pulling together a brilliant submission that showcased the impact of our work.

And, of course, a big thank you to the ISE for bringing the community together again. It was great to catch up with familiar faces, connect with new ones and spend time with the brilliant employers and partners pushing the industry forward.

Featured in HR Magazine: Social mobility should be part of DEIB

Bright Network CEO Kirsten Barnes emphasises the importance of integrating social mobility into wider DEI efforts, urging employers to engage students early and provide inclusive opportunities through workshops, mentoring and partnerships.

Featured in The Times: Kirsten Barnes on the need for early engagement

Students are seeking to meet employers earlier. Kirsten Barnes, CEO of Bright Network, says that rather than wait for the final year milk-round scramble, 55 per cent of current first-years are researching employers. “Employers need to be visible when students are exploring, not just when they’re applying,” she told The Times.

Bright Network Illuminate Conference 2025 – Event Summary

In late September leading voices in early talent, recruitment and inclusion came together at the Bright Network Illuminate Conference to share insights, innovations and practical strategies for hiring and supporting the next generation of graduates. With inspiring keynote speakers, student and employer panels and engaging employer-led breakout sessions, Illuminate reaffirmed the power of a strong employer network when striving to attract, assess and retain top graduate talent.

Bright Network at the ISE Student Recruitment Conference 2025

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