Vepple Team-Building
Diamond Heist 2026
A massive thank you to everyone who helped to crack the case.
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We hope to see you again next year!
The Mission
A priceless artefact, the Armouries Diamond, is being returned to the city. It is historically significant, and currently guarded by the most advanced security Leeds has ever seen.
For one afternoon only, we are inviting the sharpest minds in Higher Education to stop being marketers and start being masterminds.
The Vepple Team-Building Event is back for its third year. We have moved on from the high seas and the crime scenes of previous years. This time, we are going high-tech. Think clinical precision, silent synchronisation, and a high-stakes race to intercept the asset before it disappears into a vault forever.
The Details
- When: Thursday 9, July 2026
- Where: Avenue HQ, East Parade, Leeds
- Timings: 12:00-3:30pm
The Prizes
We know university budgets are under pressure, so we are keeping entry free and the prize simple, flexible and impactful.
- University Teams: A £3,000 top prize to spend however you like on team-building activities.
- Suppliers and/or Agencies: A £300 luxury hamper
Why Register?
The Vepple Team-Building Diamond Heist is the ultimate warm-up to the Heist Awards (although you don’t have to be going to the Heist Awards to play along).
It is a chance to:
Engage in a unique team-building challenge: Work with colleagues and industry peers in a fun, high-energy environment
Strengthen your crew: We know it’s hard to find good team-building activities that don’t cost an arm and a leg. That’s why we do this! Bond as a team through problem solving, shared challenges and games in our totally free-to-enter challenge.
Network with the best: Join over 100 of the brightest professionals in the HE sector for a fun afternoon.
End the day in style: If you’re also planning to attend the Heist Awards, this is a great way to enjoy time with your teams in the lead-up.
Register now, assemble your elite ‘criminal’ crew and compete for the top prize in the most thrilling team-building event of the year!
Sign up here!
Frequently Asked Questions
🧑💻 Do I need to be a tech expert to play?
Not at all. While the theme is high-tech, the challenges are designed for everyone. If you can use a smartphone and enjoy a bit of problem-solving with your colleagues, you can pull off this heist.
👥 Who can take part in the event?
Anyone working in Higher Education (HE) student recruitment and marketing is welcome to join! You don’t have to be attending the Heist awards. All are welcome.
👟 What should we wear?
Be comfortable! But we do embrace fancy dress, so if your team has a wardrobe of stealthy ‘crime squad’ gear, then feel free!
🧩 Can I sign up on my own or do I need a team?
We find teams of 6 are optimal for completing the challenges we’ve set. You can sign up with smaller teams though. Solo players are also invited to sign-up, and we will pair you up with others to make a team. Teams can include a mix of people from universities, suppliers, and agencies.
💰 What is the cost?
Entry is free for teams, but spaces are highly competitive and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
🏆 Is it accessible?
We have designed the route and the challenges to be inclusive for all players. If you have specific accessibility requirements, please let us know during registration and we will do our best to accommodate.
🏛 How is the £3,000 prize paid?
This prize will only be paid into a university bank account. If your university has tricky processes for accessing funds this way, we’ll work with you to find a suitable alternative, such as:
- Paying an invoice (e.g. for training or resources)
- Providing a theatre or restaurant voucher
We won’t be able to pay the prize into a personal bank account.
Thank you to our sponsors
Heist Awards
For over 30 years, the phrase ‘Heist Award’ has been synonymous with excellence and innovation in education marketing. Not only are the Heist Awards a time for celebrating the absolute best of our sector, but the awards night itself gives the hardworking marketing teams in higher and further education a chance to let their hair down. We’re as ready as ever to celebrate the achievements of institutions across the education sector once again this year. To see the satisfaction of recognition settle in on the faces of overjoyed marketers, and applaud the brave institutions that said ‘yes’ to their bold ideas. Join us in Leeds on 9th July!
Havas People
With Havas People, you get more than an agency. You get a partner. One with the passion, power, and people to elevate your hunger for success and express your education brand with authenticity and confidence. There for you, at every step.
With over 35 years’ experience – we know how to balance creative flair with meaningful impact in a way that yields results. We specialise in crafting university brands, delivering insightful marketing and strategic advertising that rises to the challenges you face. From researching audience behaviours to developing communications, from creating content to attracting students and staff from across the globe. We pull together our variety of expertise – and the backing of one of the world’s largest agency networks – to discover, develop and deliver your edge.
Want to become a sponsor?
Now in it’s third year, the Vepple Team-Building event is back! Bigger, bolder, and this time, you can join in the fun!
Our immersive experience brings together top UK Higher Education marketing and recruitment professionals for a day of problem-solving, networking, and team-building fun. Sponsors benefit from brand exposure, meaningful connections with key decision-makers, and social media amplification.
