The Learning From Failure Conference

The Learning From Failure Conference

Join us on Saturday, 22nd November 2025, for the return of the Learning From Failure Conference — a unique one-day event at The Campbell Academy. 

This is CPD with a difference: an honest, supportive space where leading voices share what went wrong, and what we can all learn to do better.

It is a conference for people to present, discuss, and share experiences that have gone wrong in dentistry and beyond, with the goal of being honest so that we can improve and make things better.

This is CPD with a difference

Some years ago, we hosted a one-day conference where people could present, discuss, and share experiences that had gone wrong in dentistry and outside of dentistry, and be honest about how challenging it was to do some of the things we do.

We’ve had:

• The Chief Safety Officer for EasyJet talking about pilot safety and the concept of “black box thinking.”

• Colin presenting a case with a full-arch patient who had serious complications, alongside the patient himself, exploring why he didn’t send Colin to the GDC.

• Craig Wales, Head and Neck Surgeon, delivered a talk on orbital carcinoma that left the room silent for minutes.

• Eddie the Eagle discussed his incredible journey to the 1988 Olympic Games.

Back Again in 2025

And so, we do it again. Learning From Failure is back at The Campbell Academy and The Campbell Clinic on Saturday, 22nd November 2025.

The conference ties in with our annual Charity Ball, a Christmas fancy-dress event on the same evening, making it an incredible full day if you’d like to join us for both.

This Year’s Speakers

There will be five speakers, with highlights including:

Martine Wright MBE
Martine will share her extraordinary journey of resilience after surviving the 7/7 London bombings, where she lost both legs. She will discuss how failure, loss, and adversity became the foundation for her new purpose and sporting success as a Paralympian.

Louis Dunne
Louis, who works at The Campbell Clinic and is an aspiring professional triathlete, will share his journey of overcoming adversity, finding new meaning, and balancing the challenge of continuing a legacy while creating his own path. He will discuss how sport, goals, and perspective can transform pain into a force for growth.

Additional speakers to be confirmed shortly.

CPD With a Difference

This is CPD with a difference. It is for people who genuinely want to improve things.

A day of education for sharing “failures” in and outside dentistry, honestly and openly.

Ticket Packages and The Details

• 🎟 Conference Only: £290 per person
• 🎉 Charity Ball Only: £65 per person / £600 per table of 10
• 💫 Conference + Charity Ball Combined Package: £320 per person

The Conference will begin at 09:30 and conclude by 15:00. The Charity Ball will commence at 18:30, concluding by midnight.

The venue for the Conference is The Campbell Academy, and the Village Hotel in Nottingham for the Charity Ball.

We hope to see you there!