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Previous Next Cllr Hannah Dalton Leader, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Cllr Hannah Dalton is Leader of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and a respected voice in local government, known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to delivering better outcomes for residents. She has championed innovation, strong partnerships and community-focused services, while leading through significant local and national challenges. Hannah is passionate about strengthening local democracy, supporting councillors and officers to work effectively together, and ensuring councils remain at the heart of their communities. Through her work at both local and national levels, she brings practical insights on leadership, resilience and change, making her a sought-after speaker on the future of local government. 10:55–11:45 Main Stage Stronger Standards, Stronger Leadership, Stronger Places Keynote View Session 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)

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 11:15–11:25 Presidents Opening Speech Speaker/s Robin Tuddenham, President of Solace and Chief Executive, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Samantha SmithDirector of Institute and past President < Speakers < Previous Next > Samantha Smith Director of Institute and past President Socitm Sam is a former President of Socitm and now the Director of the Socitm Institute. In that role she leads the delivery of services including policy, research, data, learning & development, and benchmarking. Before joining Socitm Sam spent 27 years in local government IT & Digital Services culminating in Service Director for a shared IT service working across two Councils in the East of England. Managing shared services of different types and sizes has been a feature of her… Show More

Keynote 13:30–14:30 The Difference One Person Makes: Lessons in Resilience, Purpose and the Life-Changing Impact of Public Service Main Stage Ashley John-Baptiste, Broadcaster and Journalist Read More Previous Drawing on his lived experience growing up in care, Ashley John-Baptiste shares a powerful and personal perspective on the role public services play in shaping lives. Moving between foster placements, facing educational challenges and navigating uncertainty, Ashley experienced first-hand the impact that social workers, care professionals and other public servants can have on a young person’s future. In conversation with Robin Tuddenham, Ashley will reflect on resilience, purpose and the individuals who helped him believe in possibilities beyond his circumstances. Together, they will explore what it means to create lasting impact, why public service matters, and how today’s leaders can inspire hope for the next generation. This closing plenary will leave delegates challenged, inspired and reminded that often the most important work happens quietly, through everyday actions that change lives. Next

< Back Previous Exhibitor, Sponsor Zellis https://www.zellis.com/zellisone Stand 12 Zellis is the UK and Ireland's leading provider of AI-enabled HR, Pay, and Workforce Management solutions. Uniting Zellis, elementsuite, and Hastee in 2025, we support the full employee lifecycle—helping pay one in six UK workers and empowering businesses to work smarter, faster, and with greater confidence. Next

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 and 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

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Aire Suite, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Investing in Place to Build Financial Resilience Speaker/s Kamal Patel, Partner in EY-Parthenon’s Infrastructure Advisory Practice, EY Marcus Richards, Partner in EY-Parthenon’s Infrastructure Advisory Practice, EY How can councils build long-term financial resilience through investment and regeneration? This roundtable will explore how public and private capital can be aligned to deliver growth, affordability, and inclusivity, whilst also strengthening financial resilience. It will draw from examples across the UK and globally, including housing, transport and other forms of social infrastructure. Discussion will cover the tools available to unlock regeneration, the attributes investors look for, and how funding reform and fiscal devolution could further strengthen local government financial sustainability. Delivered by

Tom StannardChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Tom Stannard Chief Executive Salford City Council Tom’s professional background is in regeneration, economic development and skills.  From 2018-21 he was Wakefield Council’s Corporate Director of Regeneration and Economic Growth, a key member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in one of the fastest growing economies within the Leeds City Region, the UK’s biggest economic area outside London.  His previous career roles include Director of Economy and Skills at Oldham Council in Greater Manchester, Deputy Chief Executive of the UK Learning and Work Institute, and senior leadership… Show More

Previous Next Rachel McKoy Executive Director, Association of Monitoring Officers (AMO) Rachel McKoy is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and currently the Executive Director of the Association of Monitoring Officers. She qualified as a solicitor in 2005 and has worked in local and central government for over 20 years in various roles including Monitoring Officer, Director of Law & Governance, Assistant Director of Law & Governance, and Head of Legal Services. During the course of her career, she has held, and currently holds, several representative roles on behalf of the local government sector including: the Past President of Lawyers in Local Government (LLG); Law Society Council Member (Local Government Seat); Local Government Association (LGA) Governance Peer; and Non-Executive Director (Group Solicitor) to the Board of the Society of Chief Executives and Senior Leaders (Solace). 10:55–11:45 Main Stage Stronger Standards, Stronger Leadership, Stronger Places Keynote View Session 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)

All Speakers John O'Halloran Director of Consultancy, CIPFA John is a highly experienced business manager and management consultant with over 30 years’ experience in both the private and public sectors, now leading CIPFA’s consultancy service. Recently John has helped shape and drive a major cost reduction UK wide programme for police sector, Achieving Finance Excellence in Policing. John has also worked for large civil service departments and every type of local authority in the UK. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45–16:25 Local Government Reorganisation: Practical Advice and Support Aire Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Salena MulhereDeputy Chief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Salena Mulhere Deputy Chief Executive Test Valley Council Salena has worked in local government for over 20 years, starting her career as a temporary admin assistant before moving quickly into front line customer services where she developed a real passion for the difference local government could make to individuals and communities if it listened to, and worked in partnership with, local residents and local organisations across a range of sectors. In 2020 she was appointed Assistant Chief Executive of the London Borough of Lewisham with a wide strategic… Show More

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 12:15–13:15 Panel International Perspective Chair Kirsty Wark, Speaker, Award-Winning Journalist and Presenter Speaker/s Michael Land, City Manager of Coppell, Texas, and President-Elect of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Brenda Orchard, President of CAMA and Chief Administrative Officer, Lennox and Addington County, Ontario, Canada Craig Swift-McNair, General Manager, Woollahra Council, Sydney, Australia Following on from the morning’s discussion on Equity and Purpose, this session widens the frame to explore how local government leaders across the world are navigating similar challenges and opportunities. Our international guests will share insights from North America and Australia — from embedding equity and inclusion in local systems, to building organisational cultures that foster trust, purpose, and innovation. Together, we’ll look at how different governance models, community expectations, and leadership approaches are shaping more resilient, responsive, and equitable public services. This is a chance to reflect on what connects us globally as leaders, learn from alternative perspectives, and consider how international practice can inspire meaningful change at home.