Kath O'Dwyer
Solace Group Board Chair
Kath has 42 years’ local government service with 8 years’ experience as a Local Authority Chief Executive, in two different local authorities.
Through her roles as a Chief Executive, Kath has led significant programmes of change and transformation of two failing councils which were the subject of government and LGA concerns. This included the building of strong teams and the delivery of performance improvement programmes, governance and financial management improvements and whole organisation modernisation and culture change.
She has a strong understanding of local government, devolution, and the challenges facing public sector leadership, alongside experience working with elected members and senior officers.
Since her ‘retirement’ from her Chief Executive role last year, she now has a ‘portfolio career’ and acts as an advisor with Gate One Consulting, together with roles as Independent Chair for Improvement Boards; Technical Assessments for Chief Executive recruitment; Coaching and top team development; and work with the LGA in relation to Peer Reviews and development work with elected members. Kath has also been the Solace Board Chair since October 2024.
Kath started her career as a Children’s Social Worker, and as a DCS she led the effective turnaround of Children’s Services directorates to remove government intervention and deliver improved Ofsted inspection ratings. Kath also has 3 years’ experience as part of a government intervention team in relation to Children’s Services which was commissioned by government and delivered via a contract with Serco, and has held the role of National Director for Ofsted.
Kath has a passion for organisational culture change and improving service delivery to ensure the sustainable improvement of organisations, services, teams and leaders, for the benefit of residents.
She has a positive regional and national profile including as a conference and podcast speaker, judge for national awards, lead for LGA Peer Reviews and Solace Spokesperson roles. She has a regional and national reputation as an experienced, effective and authentic leader.
09:30–10:00
Main Stage
Speakers:
Kath O’Dwyer, Solace Group Board Chair
Kim Wright, Chief Executive, London Borough of Brent, and Solace Policy Lead for Leadership
10:00–11:00
Main Stage
What does it take to lead when barriers to leadership are not experienced equally? Beyond Barriers explores the challenges women and people from other minoritised communities face in senior local government leadership, including discrimination, exclusion and workplace cultures. Building on previous research, this engaging, honest conversation will examine why inequalities persist, while celebrating leaders and organisations driving positive change. Speakers will share experiences, challenge assumptions and explore practical ways to create more inclusive leadership cultures.
10:55–11:45
Main Stage
Speakers:
Kath O'Dwyer, Solace Group Board Chair
Cllr Hannah Dalton, Leader, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
Rachel McKoy, Executive Director, Association of Monitoring Officers (AMO)
15:30–16:30
North East
Speakers:
Nick Kennell (Chair), Partner, Gate One
Kath O’Dwyer, Solace Group Board Chair, Former Chief Exec of St. Helens Council
Mark Lloyd CBE, Executive Director, IMPOWER; Non-Executive Director HMPPS
Kathryn Rees, Executive Director, Corporate and Support Services, Stockport Council
