Warwick Economics Summit 2026 draws global leaders and its largest audience yet
Warwick Economics Summit 2026 draws global leaders and its largest audience yet
Thursday 26 Feb 2026Marking its 25th anniversary, the student led Warwick Economics Summit (WES) returned in February with its most ambitious edition to date, bringing together world-renowned economists, policymakers, and industry leaders for a weekend of debate, insight, and global exchange.
This year’s Summit welcomed a record 550 in person delegates, including 320 attendees from 30 universities worldwide, reflecting its status as one of Europe’s leading student run academic conferences.
A highlight of the programme was a keynote address from Philippe Aghion, recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics, who discussed the latest developments in growth theory and the dynamics of creative destruction. His lecture offered delegates a rare opportunity to engage directly with one of the field’s most influential contemporary thinkers.
The Summit also marked the return of its debate panel format, with speakers examining the resurgence of protectionist policies and their consequences for domestic industries. The session prompted lively discussion among delegates and provided a platform for contrasting perspectives on one of today’s most contested economic issues.
Across the weekend, students welcomed an outstanding line-up of international speakers, including:
- Dr Kao Kim Hourn (Secretary General of ASEAN),
- Jon Slade (CEO of the Financial Times),
- Anna Manz (CFO of Nestlé),
- Erna Solberg (Former Prime Minister of Norway),
- Nathan Sheets (Chief Economist at Citi),
- Anacláudia Rossbach (Executive Director of UN Habitat)
- Oleksandra Matviichuk (2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate).
Their contributions spanned geopolitics, financial leadership, sustainability, and human rights, offering delegates a truly interdisciplinary experience.
The Summit also attracted attention beyond campus, with Reuters and Bloomberg providing media coverage of the event.
Elissa Saygin (BSc Economics), one of the WES 2026 Overall Coordinators, alongside Mathew Johnson (BSc Economics) and Adam Tan (PPE), commented on behalf of the whole WES Team:
"It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team of students to bring the 25th Anniversary edition of WES to life. At its heart, WES has always been about bridging the gap between the leaders of today and the change-makers of tomorrow, and this year we were proud to push that mission further than ever before. From the calibre of our speakers and sponsors to the record number of delegates and media engagement, this milestone edition reflects not only the strength of our vision, but the collective effort of 68 individuals who have worked tirelessly to make it a reality. Leading this team has been both inspiring and deeply rewarding."
The Department congratulates the WES student committee for delivering an outstanding conference that continues to elevate Warwick’s global reputation for student leadership, intellectual ambition, and international engagement.
Relevant Links