More than 500 people from across business and sport gathered in Belfast on Tuesday 12 May as Impact Players 2026 returned to the city, delivering a high-energy, transformational leadership experience.
Taking place at the ICC Belfast, the event brought together some of the most influential voices from across sport, business, media and culture, headlined by acclaimed broadcaster and author Clare Balding. The event aligns with Belfast’s wider programme as a European City of Sport 2026, showcasing the city as a growing hub for leadership, innovation and high performance.
Throughout the day, delegates heard from a powerful line-up of speakers including Northern Ireland football legend Rachel Furness, Olympian and performance expert Shirley McCay, leadership coach Michelle Moore, Everest summiteer Jen Copeland, and communications strategist Nicole Osborne, alongside voices from business, media and elite sport.
The programme combined keynote talks, live panel discussions and practical leadership sessions focused on resilience, sustainable high performance, communication and purpose. Highlights included conversations on performing under pressure without burnout, finding meaning and purpose in work and life, and the growing influence of women’s sport on leadership culture.
Delegates also experienced a series of immersive activations, networking opportunities and live performances, creating what organisers describe as “more than a conference, rather a movement to accelerate confidence, connection and career impact”.
Clare Balding said, “I am bowled over by the energy of Impact Players, what an amazing conference to be part of. Anything that supports women in business, particularly women in sport, that has a positive impact and can help lift women up together is a good thing to do”.
Right from the opening keynote I think the energy and the message of this conference is really important. I’m also loving the way that women are introducing themselves to each other, sharing their knowledge and their business sense. I think this is going to make a huge difference, not just in the way that people feel about themselves and what they do, but practical differences to improve their differences going forward, it’s really powerful.”
Sinead Sharkey-Steenson, Co-Founder of Impact Players, said: “Today has been a powerful reminder of what happens when you bring ambitious, driven people into the same space with a shared purpose. Belfast is a city full of talent and energy, and Impact Players is about unlocking that, giving women the confidence, tools and community to step into leadership and make a real impact. At Impact Players we believe that the world would be a better place with more women at the top, and we need to go all in on backing ourselves, our potential and each other if we want to make change happen.”
Lisa Strutt, Co-Founder of Impact Players, added: “This isn’t just about inspiration for a single day. It’s about creating lasting change. We’ve seen hundreds of women come together, invest in themselves and lift each other up and that’s exactly what Impact Players is all about. The conversations happening in this room today will ripple far beyond Belfast and we are already planning for how we can keep this momentum going into 2027 and beyond.
“I want to extend a huge thank you to Clare Balding, and all of our speakers who made this such an incredible event – let’s continue to make space for everyone to be the best they can be.”
Julie Beckett, co-founder and marketing director at Fustle Bikes attended the conference. Speaking about the experience she said, “I had no idea what impact today was going to have, it’s been fantastic. I didn’t think there were going to be so many women and it’s been really inspiring – some of the stories that I’ve heard from sports people and business women and how those two industries connect together is just phenomenal.”
Returning for its second year, Impact Players continues to build momentum as a standout event in the UK and Ireland’s leadership calendar, reflecting the growing demand for spaces that support, connect and elevate women across industries.
With Belfast rapidly establishing itself as a centre for innovation, business growth and sporting excellence, the conference reinforces the city’s position at the heart of conversations shaping the future of leadership and performance.
Tickets are already available for Impact Players 2027 at https://impact.rebootandreturn.com/
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