Plenary speakers announced for UK Kidney Week 2026
The UK Kidney Association has announced the plenary speakers for UK Kidney Week 2026, taking place from 10–12 March in Harrogate.
This year’s line-up brings together leading figures in hypertension, advanced practice, global kidney disease epidemiology and genomics — reflecting the breadth and ambition of the UK Kidney Week programme.
Registration is open now — book your place
Tuesday 10 March – Plenary Speakers
Professor Ian Wilkinson
State-of-the-Art Lecture: Hypertension
Prof Ian Wilkinson qualified in medicine from the University of Oxford in 1993 and was subsequently awarded a Doctorate in Medicine. He trained in Clinical Pharmacology and has spent more than 25 years combining clinical practice with research in haemodynamics and endothelial biology, with a focus on experimental medicine and early-phase clinical trials.
He is President of the British & Irish Hypertension Society, directs the Cambridge Clinical Trials Unit and the Division of Experimental Medicine, and leads a regional tertiary hypertension service.
Paula McLaren
Regulation of Advanced Practice and What This Means for the Renal Workforce
Paula McLaren RGN BSc MA(Ed) is Senior Nursing Adviser for Advanced & Professional Practice at the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). She leads the NMC’s review of advanced practice and the prescribing portfolio, drawing on experience across secondary, primary and community care.
A former renal nurse practitioner, Paula has worked extensively on workforce development, quality learning environments and equitable access to care.
Wednesday 11 March – Plenary Speaker
Professor Patrick Mark
Insights from the Latest Global Burden of Disease Report on CKD Prevalence and Impact
Patrick ‘Paddy’ Mark is a Professor of Nephrology and Honorary Consultant Nephrologist at the Glasgow Renal and Transplant Unit based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow. He was appointed as Clinical Senior Lecturer in 2011 following clinical training in Medicine and Nephrology. He leads a number of clinical trials in nephrology and has undertaken various epidemiological projects related to chronic kidney disease. His work has been funded by Kidney Research UK, MRC, NIHR and the British Heart Foundation.
Thursday 12 March – Plenary Speaker
Professor Segun Fatumo
Next Generation Nephrology
Prof Segun Fatumo is Professor & Chair of Genomic Diversity at Queen Mary University of London and Head of NCD Genomics at the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit. His work explores the genetic architecture of kidney and cardiovascular disease in diverse populations.
He also holds honorary positions with the Uganda Virus Research Institute, Helmholtz Munich and the University of Cambridge, and is recognised internationally for advancing genomics and precision medicine.
Registration and support
Registration for UK Kidney Week 2026 is now open. Get 10% off early-bird rates until 14 November 2025. Discounts are available for UKKA members. Group bookings (for five or more delegates) can be arranged by contacting the UKKW team directly.
Grants and financial support are also available:
- Attendance Grants – covering registration fees (applications close 1 December 2025)
- Childcare and Dependent Care Support Fund – up to £300 available to assist delegates with care costs (applications close 31 January 2026)
UK Kidney Week is the UK’s largest annual meeting for those working across kidney care. It brings together clinicians, scientists, pharmacists, nurses, allied health professionals, commissioners and industry partners for three days of education, collaboration and shared learning.
UK Kidney Week 2026 will take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 10–12 March 2026.