SSA UK Level-Up Conference 2026

Matt Barbet

Conference Chair

Matt Barbet is a news broadcaster and journalist. He presented 5 News Tonight on Channel 5 for a decade. Matt has also previously presented Breakfast, BBC London News (BBC 1), The Cycle Show (ITV 4), The Wright Stuff, The 5 O'Clock Show (Channel 5) and News Hour (Daybreak).

Bruce Daisley

Keynote

Bruce Daisley is a best-selling author of 2019 “The Joy of Work”, which was the Sunday Times number one business bestseller, his follow up book, “Eat Sleep, Work Repeat”, is a compelling manifesto for an era overwhelmed with work pressures. Bruce spent 8 years as EMEA Vice President for Twitter having joined the company in 2012. Prior to this, he ran YouTube UK at Google and worked at Emap/Bauer and Capital Radio.

Helen Bourke

SSA UK

Helen is Operations Director at the Self Storage Association, taking up post in March 2019.  Previously, Helen was Director of Membership Services at the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, a not-for-profit, national membership organisation where she spent 8 years working across membership, communications and events. Prior to this, Helen spent 12 additional years in the education, learning and training sector and a number of years working within the corporate sector.

Sarah Manning

Secure Stores Nationwide Ltd

Sarah Manning is Managing Director of Secure Stores Nationwide, supplier of shipping containers and related accessories.

Sarah has been in the container industry for the past 14 years, starting her career at Mr Box, which she ran and grew in to one of the largest market players.  Mr Box was then acquired by Mobile Mini in 2016, who Sarah continued to work with for a further 4 years.  Sarah has recently launched her own container business, Secure Stores Nationwide. Secure Stores specialist area is Self-Storage, with a strong focus on customer service.

Stefanie Sword-Williams

Keynote

Stef Sword-Williams is the Founder and author of F*ck Being Humble - an empowering movement and consultancy dedicated to inspiring individuals to embrace their achievements unapologetically and conquer the fear of self-promotion.

Simon Forrester

CEO, SSA UK

Simon joined the Self Storage Association UK in September 2025, having previously led a range of trade associations and professional bodies at the UK and European level across such diverse sectors as jewellery, construction, healthcare, business tourism and public health pest control. He is responsible for the strategic direction of SSA UK and leadership of the staff team. Simon has an MBA from Birmingham City University.