December 8-9^th 2025, Keble College, University of Oxford

Following the success of the inaugural Governing Governors’ symposium in 2022, and by popular demand, we held a second symposium – again at Oxford University’s historic Keble College – in December 2025.

The first symposium brought together 41 Governors and Directors of prisons and IRCs to focus on alleviating some of the pressures of the role, and improving staff morale and retention.

Forty-nine Governors and Directors attended the 2025 symposium, which built on the learning and insights from the inaugural event and broadened the discussion to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Governors today.

The event was exclusively for Governors and Directors of prisons and IRCs, providing an opportunity for them to speak openly with colleagues with a shared understanding of the unique demands of their roles – and a chance to strengthen existing relationships and build new connections, including over dinner in the grand dining hall, and afterwards in the college bar.

And in a last minute surprise for everyone (even we weren’t sure ourselves it was happening until half-an-hour beforehand), we were joined over lunch on the second day by the Trust’s Patron, HRH The Princess Royal!

Over the two days, the Governors came up with a series recommendations, primarily for HMPPS and HMI Prisons, on what they could do to help reduce some of the pressures on Governors in general and, more specifically, to help improve staff retention, and tackle drugs and violence – and we shared those with them directly.

As in 2022, they also identified a range of suggestions on what they and their fellow Governors could do themselves – at local level – to help manage the pressures they face, and improve the morale and retention of their staff, and we have combined them with their insights from the previous event, into two updated peer-to-peer guides:

Governing Governors’ guide (updated): on managing the pressures of governing
Governing Governors’ guide (updated): on boosting staff morale and retention

Some feedback from those attending

It really was one of the best things I have attended (related to work) in many years and potentially ever. Obviously the venue, dinner and Princess Anne were amazing, but it was far more than that.

It was a fantastic opportunity to come together with Governors, share experiences, and strengthen our networks. The discussions were insightful and will certainly help inform our work going forward.

It was a great opportunity to get feedback from colleagues and discuss in a safe environment the challenges we face as a governor. 

Once again, the Butler Trust Governing Governors Winter Symposium was the highlight of my year.

Fantastic event and such a thoughtful idea. It was very much appreciated and needed and generated useful discussion, thank you.

Thank you for bringing the Governing Governor’s together and recognising the work we do.  I genuinely appreciated it.

The visit by Princess Anne was amazing. I was blown away that she was able to attend and speak to every single one of us.

I found the Symposium so helpful, it was beneficial to be able to take some time out, to be able to air our views in a safe space and to feel we were listened to. [And] What a pleasure and a privilege it was to meet the Princess Royal.

I would be first in the queue to attend another symposium!