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2026 Day 2 08:50–09:25 Galleria Registration | All Delegates Break 08:50–09:25 Exhibition Exhibition and Refreshments Break 09:30–10:00 Day 2 Welcome Main Stage Welcome View Session 09:10 -09:20 Support Session 9: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session 09:10—09:20 Showcasing Amplify Cohort 5: Organisational Change & Equity: Beyond Rhetoric Innovation Zone Showcase View Session 10:00–11:00 Main Stage Beyond Barriers: Authentic Women’s Leadership in Local Government Panel Session View Session Speakers: Alison McCullagh, Chief Executive, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Northern Ireland Emma Palmer, Chief Executive, Powys County Council, Wales Pippa Milne, Chief Executive, Argylle & Bute Council, Scotland 11:00–11:30 Exhibition Refreshments Break 11:10–11:20 Showcasing Barnsley: Health on the High Street - Putting Health at the Heart of Rejuvenating Barnsley Town Centre Innovation Zone Showcase View Session 11:10–11:20 Support Session 10: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session 11:30–12:30 Breakout: Ensuring success whilst Surviving LGR: Lived Experiences of Delivering Major Transformation Main Stage Breakout View Session 11:30–12:30 Breakout: What Should We Stop Doing - Sustainable Leadership in Unrelenting Times North East Breakout View Session 11:30–12:30 Breakout: Leading With Control: AI, LGR, and the Path to High-Quality Services in Times of Change South West Breakout View Session 11:30–12:30 Breakout: Cyber Resilience in Transition: Securing Public Services Through Reorganisation and Digital Disruption North West Breakout View Session 12:30–13:30 Lunch and Exhibition Exhibition Break 12:45–12:55 Showcasing Stockport: From Consultation to Co-Creation: How Equality and Community Networks Are Driving Better Local Outcomes Innovation Zone Showcase View Session 12:45–12:55 Support Session 11: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session 13:00–13:10 Showcasing Barnsley: Health on the High Street - Putting Health at the Heart of Rejuvenating Barnsley Town Centre. Innovation Zone Showcase View Session 13:00–13:10 Support Session 12: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session 13:15–13:25 Showcasing Amplify Cohort 5: Organisational Change and Equity: Beyond Rhetoric Innovation Zone Showcase View Session 13:15–13:25 Support Session 13: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session 13:30–14:30 Main Stage Closing Keynote Session Keynote Ashley John-Baptiste, Broadcaster and Journalist 14:30–14:45 Main Stage President's Closing Speech Keynote Speakers: Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

2026 Day 1 08:00–09:30 Liverpool – A City Built on Heritage, Culture and Innovation Optional Walking Study Tour View Session 08:00–09:30 Liverpool’s Regen Story TBC Optional Walking Study Tour View Session 09:15–10:30 Registration | All Delegates Galleria Break 09:15–10:30 Exhibition and Refreshments Exhibition Break 09:50–10:00 Showcasing Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council: The Trojan Horse of Leadership Development Innovation Zone Showcase View Session 09:50–10:00 Support Session 1: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session 10:10–10:20 Showcasing Brighton & Hove: The Learning Organisation: How we are Rewiring Culture, Strategy and Digital for Continuous Innovation Innovation Zone Showcase View Session 10:10–10:20 Support Session 2: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session 10:30 Conference Commences Main Stage Compere Conference Compere: Victoria Derbyshire, Journalist and Topical News Reporter, BBC 10:30–10:40 Liverpool Welcome Main Stage Welcome View Session Speakers: Andrew Lewis, Chief Executive, Liverpool City Council 10:40–10:55 President's Opening Speech Main Stage Presidential Address View Session Speakers: Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 10:55 –11:45 More information coming soon. Main Stage Keynote View Session 11:45–12:45 Local Choices, National Consequences: What May’s Elections Tell Us About Britain’s Democratic Future Main Stage Keynote View Session Speakers: Sir John Curtice, British political scientist and professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde Sam Hartley, Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, The Electoral Commission 12:45–14:00 Lunch and Exhibition Exhibition Break 13:00–13:10 Showcasing Amplify Cohort 5: Organisational Change & Equity: Beyond Rhetoric Innovation Zone Showcase View Session 13:15–13:25 Showcasing Brighton & Hove: The Learning Organisation – Being Diverse and Inclusive Innovation Zone Showcase View Session 13:30–13:40 Showcasing Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council: The Trojan Horse of Leadership Development Innovation Zone Showcase View Session 13:45–13:55 Support Session 6: Coming Soon TBC Support Session View Session 13:00–13:10 Support Session 3: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session 13:15–13:25 Support Session 4: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session 13:30–13:40 Support Session 5: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session 14:00–15:00 Main Stage Sub Plenary The Future of Health and Care: Reform, Partnership and Place Speakers: Alison Barker, Chief Executive of North Lincolnshire Council and Solace Deputy Policy Lead for Health and Social Care Ben Dyson, Director for Adult Social Care Strategy, Funding & Integrated Care at DHSC Samantha Allen CBE, Chief Executive, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board View Session 14:00–15:00 West Room Sub Plenary Economy Speakers: View Session 15:00–15:30 Exhibition Exhibition Break 15:10–15:20 Innovation Zone Showcase View Session Showcasing Amplify Cohort 5: Organisational Change & Equity: Beyond Rhetoric 15:10–15:20 Solace LGR Support Support Session View Session Support Session 7: Coming Soon 15:30–16:30 Breakout: Local Government Reform Is Paused—So What Do We Do Next? Main Stage Breakout View Session 15:30–16:30 Breakout: Transition vs. Transformation: What Successful Organisations do Differently North East Breakout View Session 15:30–16:30 Breakout: Beyond the Tipping Point: How do we Actually Make Long Term Change Happen South East Breakout View Session 15:30–16:30 Breakout: Connected Devolution: Implications for Local Government Leadership North West Breakout View Session 15:30–16:30 Breakout: Future Places: Turning Devolution Ambition Into Delivery South West Breakout View Session 16:45–17:45 Exhibition Drinks Reception Networking View Session 19:15–20:00 Rum Warehouse Presidential Drinks Reception Networking View Session Speakers: Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 20:00–00:00 Rum Warehouse Charity Dinner Networking View Session

Breakout 11:30–12:30 Breakout: Leading With Control: AI, LGR, and the Path to High-Quality Services in Times of Change South West Ted Twaalfhoven, Founder & CEO, Engage Process Read More Previous Local government reorganisation and AI adoption are reshaping how services get delivered. This session is about staying in control during times of rapid transformation, from applying AI in ways that protect and improve service quality, and building the process management and data-driven decision-making that support leaders during high-stakes change. We will cover how culture shapes whether transformation holds, and how to bring teams along the journey. Next

Previous Next Matt O'Neill Executive Director—Place, Barnsley Council Matt O'Neill Is a highly accomplished public sector leader with over two decades of experience in economic development, regeneration, strategic planning and delivery of front-line services. This has been experienced gained working across different parts of Northern England: Cheshire, County Durham, Teesside, North and South Yorkshire. Working with all political leaderships, Combined Authorities in rural, coastal and urban environments covering District, Borough, County Council and Metropolitan Unitary Authorities. Currently serving as the Executive Director of Place at Barnsley Council, Matt provides strategic leadership across a wide portfolio including economic regeneration, planning, housing, culture, zero carbon initiatives, waste, neighbourhoods, highways, assets, environment, transport, communities and regulatory services. 13:00–13:10 Innovation Zone Showcasing Barnsley: Health on the High Street - Putting Health at the Heart of Rejuvenating Barnsley Town Centre. Showcase View Session 11:10–11:20 Innovation Zone Showcasing Barnsley: Health on the High Street - Putting Health at the Heart of Rejuvenating Barnsley Town Centre Showcase View Session

Our dedicated site for Solace's flagship event for local government & public sector professionals, the Solace Summit. The Future of Local Government Starts at Solace Summit 21–22 October, 2026 Liverpool Experience Campus The Solace Summit 2026 heads to Liverpool for an unmissable gathering of local government leaders. Join us to explore fresh ideas, ambitious strategies, and the powerful connections shaping the future of public service. Buy Tickets What is the Solace Summit? Better leadership starts here. Hosted by Solace, the Summit brings together people across local government — from emerging talent to experienced executives — to share insight, shape ideas, and drive change. Across two days of thought-provoking sessions, powerful connections, and practical content, the Summit is your space to reflect, recharge, and reimagine the future of public service. 2025 FEATURED 2 DAYS OF LEARNING, 35+ SPEAKERS AND SO MUCH MORE. Meet The Speakers Hear from experienced leaders who bring real insight and fresh thinking from across the sector. Our speakers are respected experts, known for their practical knowledge, honest perspectives, and thoughtful ideas. View All Speakers Kelli Maynard Customer Service Manager, West Northamptonshire Council Mark Lloyd CBE Executive Director, IMPOWER; Non-Executive Director HMPPS Pippa Milne Chief Executive, Argyll and Bute Council Paul Amann Paul Amann, Principal Officer for Employment and Skills, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Sam Hartley Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, The Electoral Commission Ododo Ediagbonya Programme Manager, Greater London Authority Matt O'Neill Executive Director—Place, Barnsley Council Victoria Shaw Chief Operating Officer, Sector 3 Paul Robinson Stategic Director for LGR, Nottinghamshire County Council Clare Redfern Service Manager, Neighbourhood Coordination and Support Service Sudeshna Banerjee Data & Insight Manager, Wokingham Borough Council André K. Small Customer Experience and Service Improvement Leader, Epping Forest District Council Dr David Parr OBE Former Chief Executive, Halton Borough Council Nick Kennell Partner, Gate One Kathryn Rees Executive Director, Corporate and Support Services, Stockport Council Nikita Hunt Policy Officer, Test Valley Borough Council Koyejo Olugbile Acting Sustainable Transport Coordinator, Falkirk Council Jessica Mullinger Executive Director of Sector Support, Solace in Business Bev Thomas Procurement and Commissioning, Local Government Association Claire Trickett Workforce and Organisational Development Consultant Sue Featherstone Solace Associate & Director, Developing Success Victoria Derbyshire Journalist and Topical News Reporter, BBC Andrew Lewis Chief Executive, Liverpool City Council Robin Tuddenham Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council John Curtice Professor of Politics, Strathclyde University, Scotland Alison Barker Chief Executive, North Lincolnshire Council & Deputy Policy Lead for Health & Social Care Ben Dyson Director, Adult Social Care Strategy, Funding & Integrated Care, Department of Health and Social Care Samantha Allen Chief Executive of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board Pam Smith Chief Executive, Newcastle City Council & Policy Lead for Economic Prosperity Jonathan Stephenson Joint Chief Executive, Brentwood Borough Council & Rochford District Council Greg Campbell Strategic Director, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Paul Brace Director of Communities and Health, at Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Dr Jonathan Carr-West Chief Executive, LGIU Nicola Monk Divisional CEO, Commercial Services Group Jonathan Werran Chief Executive, Localis Emma Foy Industry Lead for Local Government, TechnologyOne Kath O'Dwyer Solace Group Board Chair Alison McCullagh Chief Executive, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Northern Ireland Emma Palmer Chief Execuive, Powys County Council, Wales Susanne Millar Chief Executive, Glasgow City Council, Scotland Madeline Smith Chief Technology Officer, North Yorkshire Council Laurence Allen Director UK, Engage Process Ted Twaalfhoven Founder & CEO, Engage Process Kurtis Toy Chief Executive, Cyber Centre of Excellence Ashley John-Baptiste Broadcaster and Journalist 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 9 PEOPLE THEME 1: Local government is, at its heart, a people business. This theme explores how we lead with empathy, empower communities, and invest in the workforce of the future — asking what it means to put people first in a system under strain, and how we build cultures of care, trust, and accountability. PARTNERS We’re grateful to our partners for their continued support. Their contribution plays a key role in making this event a success and strengthening the work we do with communities across the country. View All Partners 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 ... 100 LIVERPOOL 2026 Don't miss the future of local government.

Speakers 2026 Kelli Maynard Customer Service Manager, West Northamptonshire Council Read more Mark Lloyd CBE Executive Director, IMPOWER; Non-Executive Director HMPPS Read more Pippa Milne Chief Executive, Argyll and Bute Council Read more Paul Amann Paul Amann, Principal Officer for Employment and Skills, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Read more Sam Hartley Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, The Electoral Commission Read more Ododo Ediagbonya Programme Manager, Greater London Authority Read more Matt O'Neill Executive Director—Place, Barnsley Council Read more Victoria Shaw Chief Operating Officer, Sector 3 Read more Paul Robinson Stategic Director for LGR, Nottinghamshire County Council Read more Clare Redfern Service Manager, Neighbourhood Coordination and Support Service Read more Sudeshna Banerjee Data & Insight Manager, Wokingham Borough Council Read more André K. Small Customer Experience and Service Improvement Leader, Epping Forest District Council Read more Dr David Parr OBE Former Chief Executive, Halton Borough Council Read more Nick Kennell Partner, Gate One Read more Kathryn Rees Executive Director, Corporate and Support Services, Stockport Council Read more Nikita Hunt Policy Officer, Test Valley Borough Council Read more Koyejo Olugbile Acting Sustainable Transport Coordinator, Falkirk Council Read more Jessica Mullinger Executive Director of Sector Support, Solace in Business Read more Bev Thomas Procurement and Commissioning, Local Government Association Read more Claire Trickett Workforce and Organisational Development Consultant Read more Sue Featherstone Solace Associate & Director, Developing Success Read more Victoria Derbyshire Journalist and Topical News Reporter, BBC Read more Andrew Lewis Chief Executive, Liverpool City Council Read more Robin Tuddenham Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Read more John Curtice Professor of Politics, Strathclyde University, Scotland Read more Alison Barker Chief Executive, North Lincolnshire Council & Deputy Policy Lead for Health & Social Care Read more Ben Dyson Director, Adult Social Care Strategy, Funding & Integrated Care, Department of Health and Social Care Read more Samantha Allen Chief Executive of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board Read more Pam Smith Chief Executive, Newcastle City Council & Policy Lead for Economic Prosperity Read more Jonathan Stephenson Joint Chief Executive, Brentwood Borough Council & Rochford District Council Read more Greg Campbell Strategic Director, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Read more Paul Brace Director of Communities and Health, at Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Read more Dr Jonathan Carr-West Chief Executive, LGIU Read more Nicola Monk Divisional CEO, Commercial Services Group Read more Jonathan Werran Chief Executive, Localis Read more Emma Foy Industry Lead for Local Government, TechnologyOne Read more Kath O'Dwyer Solace Group Board Chair Read more Alison McCullagh Chief Executive, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Northern Ireland Read more Emma Palmer Chief Execuive, Powys County Council, Wales Read more Susanne Millar Chief Executive, Glasgow City Council, Scotland Read more Madeline Smith Chief Technology Officer, North Yorkshire Council Read more Laurence Allen Director UK, Engage Process Read more Ted Twaalfhoven Founder & CEO, Engage Process Read more Kurtis Toy Chief Executive, Cyber Centre of Excellence Read more Ashley John-Baptiste Broadcaster and Journalist Read more

2026 People Kelli Maynard Read More Paul Amann Read More Matt O'Neill Read More Clare Redfern Read More Dr David Parr OBE Read More Nikita Hunt Read More Bev Thomas Read More Victoria Derbyshire Read More John Curtice Read More Samantha Allen Read More Greg Campbell Read More Nicola Monk Read More Kath O'Dwyer Read More Susanne Millar Read More Ted Twaalfhoven Read More Mark Lloyd CBE Read More Sam Hartley Read More Victoria Shaw Read More Sudeshna Banerjee Read More Nick Kennell Read More Koyejo Olugbile Read More Claire Trickett Read More Andrew Lewis Read More Alison Barker Read More Pam Smith Read More Paul Brace Read More Jonathan Werran Read More Alison McCullagh Read More Madeline Smith Read More Kurtis Toy Read More Pippa Milne Read More Ododo Ediagbonya Read More Paul Robinson Read More André K. Small Read More Kathryn Rees Read More Jessica Mullinger Read More Sue Featherstone Read More Robin Tuddenham Read More Ben Dyson Read More Jonathan Stephenson Read More Dr Jonathan Carr-West Read More Emma Foy Read More Emma Palmer Read More Laurence Allen Read More Ashley John-Baptiste Read More

Showcase 09:50–10:00 Showcasing Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council: The Trojan Horse of Leadership Development Innovation Zone Claire Trickett, Workforce and Organisational Development Consultant, Blackburn with Darwen Council Read More Sue Featherstone, Solace Associate & Director, Developing Success Read More Previous The Trojan Horse of Leadership Development: How building internal coaching capability unlocked vertical development across the organisation Developing coaching capability strengthens both individual leaders and the wider system. Leaders become more self-aware, purposeful, and inclusive - while also developing others through everyday interactions. This creates a ripple effect across the organisation, supporting culture change, improving wellbeing, and enabling more adaptive, equitable leadership. Next

Showcase 08:55—09:05 Showcasing Stockport: From Consultation to Co-Creation: How Equality and Community Networks Are Driving Better Local Outcomes Innovation Zone Victoria Shaw,Chief Operating Officer, Sector 3 Read More Clare Redfern,Service Manager, Neighbourhood Coordination and Support Service Read More Previous More information coming soon. Next

Previous Next Clare Redfern Service Manager, Neighbourhood Coordination and Support Service Clare Redfern leads programmes focused on public sector reform, neighbourhood development, and community empowerment. With extensive experience in partnership building, transformation, and strategic leadership, she enjoys bringing people together to solve complex challenges and create positive change. Her work spans digital inclusion, community engagement, and service innovation, with a strong focus on improving outcomes for local residents. 12:45–12:55 Innovation Zone Showcasing Stockport: From Consultation to Co-Creation: How Equality and Community Networks Are Driving Better Local Outcomes Showcase View Session Clare Redfern,Service Manager – Neighbourhood Coordination and Support Service Victoria Shaw, Sector 3

Previous Next Victoria Shaw Chief Operating Officer, Sector 3 Victoria Shaw is Chief Operating Officer at Sector 3, Stockport’s infrastructure organisation for the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector. Victoria is passionate about creating the conditions in which organisations and the communities they support can thrive. Since joining Sector 3, she has helped lead the organisation through significant growth and change, building the people, systems and infrastructure around us while developing new partnerships and programmes across Stockport and Greater Manchester. Her work spans organisational development, strategy, community investment and cross-sector partnerships. At the heart of her approach is a belief that strong leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about building trust, creating space for different voices, being willing to challenge how things have always been done and turning ambition into something that can actually be delivered. 12:45–12:55 Innovation Zone Showcasing Stockport: From Consultation to Co-Creation: How Equality and Community Networks Are Driving Better Local Outcomes Showcase View Session Clare Redfern,Service Manager – Neighbourhood Coordination and Support Service Victoria Shaw, Sector 3

Breakout 15:30–16:30 Breakout: Local Government Reform Is Paused—So What Do We Do Next? Main Stage Jonathan Stephenson, Joint Chief Executive, Brentwood Borough Council & Rochford District Council Read More Greg Campbell, Strategic Director, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council. Read More Paul Brace, Director of Communities and Health, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Read More Previous Local Government Reform may be paused, but the financial, workforce, systems and data challenges facing councils have not gone away. Nor should we lose the valuable work, ideas and relationships developed through the reform process. This interactive session will explore what has worked, what has not, and how councils can build on the activity already underway to get ahead of the transformation game. Rather than waiting for the Government’s next decision, we will consider how senior leaders can use this period to develop practical, deliverable programmes that improve services, strengthen collaboration and support system-wide transformation. Join Paul and Greg for an open and honest conversation about the lessons learned so far, the barriers that remain and the opportunities to turn reform thinking into meaningful change. Delegates will leave with practical ideas and questions to take back to their own organisations. The reform timetable may have paused—but the need to transform has not. Next