WINDRUSH
SUMMIT
2026
Symposium
Welcome
The National Windrush Museum warmly welcomes delegates from across Britain and internationally to this special online symposium.
Originally planned as a national conference at the University of Westminster, the event has been reformatted as an online symposium in response to the Government's Red Weather Warning, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of delegates while allowing this important national conversation to continue.
The symposium brings together leading voices from government, law, academia, local government, business, trade unions, and the Windrush community to discuss one central question:
How do we move beyond the focus on a single day of Windrush celebrations in Britain to building a lasting National Windrush Legacy, action and infrastructure for Britain?
The symposium also launches the proposed National Windrush Motion (UK)—a practical framework encouraging councils, universities, museums, businesses, and public institutions to formally recognise and embed Windrush history within their organisations.
Online Symposium
ONLINE SYMPOSIUM PROGRAMME
9:45am
Online Platform Opens
Delegates join the meeting.
Technical support available.
10:00am – 10:05am
Welcome to the National Windrush Symposium
Dr Barbara Adewumi
Senior Research Consultant
National Windrush Museum Board Member
Welcome
10:05am – 10:10am
Opening Statement
Why the Symposium
Dr Les Johnson
Chair and Founder
National Windrush Museum
10:10am – 10:15am
Welcome from the University of Westminster
Professor Christos Kalantaridis
Pro Vice-Chancellor
Head of Westminster Business School
University of Westminster
10:15am – 10:30am
Conference Supporter Address
VM Group UK
Mr Khori Hyde
Business Development Lead
VM Group UK
Supporting Financial Inclusion and Investment across the Caribbean Diaspora
10:30am – 10:40am
Opening Address
Building a National Windrush Legacy for Britain
Introducing the National Windrush Motion
Dr Les Johnson
Founder & Chair
National Windrush Museum
Topics include:
Why Britain now needs a National Windrush Motion
Moving beyond a single-day annual commemoration
Windrush 80
The need for a National Windrush Museum and educational learning centre
10:40am – 11:00am
Keynote Address
Windrush, Migration, Memory, Identity and Modern Britain
Martin Forde KC
Barrister
Former Independent Adviser to the Windrush Compensation Scheme
Author of the Forde Report
Followed by
10-minute discussion with Dr Les Johnson
11:15am – 12:05pm
Panel 1
Symposium Discussion
Building a National Windrush Legacy
Chair
Dr Les Johnson
Contributors
Martin Forde KC
Grace Brown
Antony Brown
Sir Patrick Vernon OBE
Panel 2
12:05pm – 12:10pm
Sir Patrick Vernon OBE
Discussion Topics
Why Britain needs a National Windrush Motion
Equality and justice
Education and public awareness
12:10pm – 12:40pm
National Windrush Motion
Case Studies in Action
Short Presentations
Lee-Ann Igbon
Manchester City Council
Carole Williams
Former Cabinet Member
London Borough of Hackney
Dr Carlton Brown
Chief Executive
Aspire Consultancy
Narmi Thiranagama
Policy Officer
UNISON
Each contributor will briefly share practical examples of how organisations can adopt and implement the National Windrush Motion.
12:40pm – 12:55pm
Questions and Open Discussion
12:55pm – 1:10pm
Dr Les Johnson
Launch of the National Windrush Motion Campaign
Next Steps
1:10pm – 1:15pm
Vote of Thanks
Denize Ledeatte
Director
National Windrush Museum
1:15pm
Symposium Close