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Breakout 15:30–16:30 Breakout 5: Coming Soon North West Previous More information to follow. Next

Showcase 09:25–09:35 Showcasing Stockport: From Consultation to Co-Creation: How Equality and Community Networks Are Driving Better Local Outcomes Innovation Zone Previous More information coming soon. Next

Showcase 09:40–09:50 Showcasing Amplify Cohort 5: Organisational Change & Equity: From Intent to Impact Innovation Zone Previous Next

Keynote 13:30–14:30 More information coming soon. Main Plenary Previous More information to follow. Next

Support Session 13:00–13:10 Support Session 12: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Previous Next

Networking 19:15–20:00 Presidential Drinks Reception Rum Warehouse Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Read More Previous More information to follow. Next

Networking 20:00–00:00 Charity Dinner Rum Warehouse Previous Dinner drinks kindly sponsored by Zellis. Next

Keynote 11:45–12:45 Local Choices, National Consequences: What May’s Elections Tell Us About Britain’s Democratic Future Main Plenary Professor Sir John Curtice, Professor of Politics, Strathclyde University, Scotland Read More Vijay Rangarjan, Chief Executive, The Electoral Commission Read More Previous Drawing on decades of rigorous research and real-time data insights, Sir John will unpack what the outcomes reveal about voter sentiment, political realignment, and the evolving relationship between local communities and national politics. In this keynote, he will explore what the results mean for local authorities, the balance of political control across the country, and the challenges and opportunities emerging for local democratic institutions. He will also examine the broader implications for the future of UK democracy—from trust in governance to public expectations of local leadership. For senior local government leaders navigating shifting political landscapes, this session will provide essential context, clear-eyed interpretation, and authoritative insight into how these elections will shape the priorities, pressures, and possibilities facing local government in the years ahead. Next

Support Session 13:30–13:40 Support Session 5: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Previous Next

2025 Programme Day One Day Two 09:15–09:45 Solace AGM Members only Barton Suite, Royal Armouries 09:00–10:00 Registration All Remaining Delegates, Exhibition and Refreshments Foyer/Exhibition, New Dock Hall 10:00–10:50 Storming and Forming: The Creation of Combined and Strategic Authorities Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speakers: Dr Henry Kippin , Chief Executive, North East Combined Authority Amy Harhoff , Chief Executive of East Midlands Combined Authority Mark Rogers , Chief Executive, Leadership Centre 10:50–11:10 Exhibition and Refreshments Exhibition, New Dock Hall 11:10–12:00 Keynote: Leading Through A Crisis Main Stage, New Dock Hall Chair: Helen Bailey , Chief Executive, London Borough of Sutton Speaker: Tom Stannard , Chief Executive, Manchester City Council and Solace Policy Lead for Health and Social Care 12:00–12:50 Keynote: Katie Piper OBE Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speaker: Katie Piper OBE , Writer, Activist and Broadcaster 12:50–13:00 Solace President's Closing Speech Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speaker: Robin Tuddenham , Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 13:00–14:00 Exhibition and Lunch Exhibition, New Dock Hall Conference Close

08:30–10:15 Summit Delegates: Optional Pre-Conference Walking Study Tours Leeds South Bank Regeneration City Square Regeneration, Culture and Public Art City Square 2025 Programme Day One Day Two 09:15–09:30 Springboard Registration Spring and Summer 25/26 cohorts only Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries 09:30–10:30 Springboard Session Spring and Summer 25/26 cohorts only Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Facilitator: Liz McQue , Solace Associate Guest Speaker: Robin Tuddenham , Solace President and Chief Executive at Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 09:15–09:45 New to Summit? First Time Delegates Welcome and Registration Foyer, New Dock Hall 10:00–11:00 Registration All Delegates Foyer, New Dock Hall 10:00–11:00 Exhibition and Refreshments Exhibition, New Dock Hall 11:00–13:15 Featured Compère and Chair: Kirsty Wark Speaker, award-winning journalist and presenter Kirsty Wark will be leading the following sessions. Exhibition, New Dock Hall 11:05–11:15 Welcome from Leeds City Council Main Stage, New Dock Hall Guest Speaker: Ed Whiting , Chief Executive of Leeds City Council 11:15–11:25 Solace President's Opening Speech Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speaker: Robin Tuddenham , Solace President & Chief Executive at Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 11:25–11:35 Keynote: Finding Home in Halifax: Stela’s Story Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speaker: Stela, service user at St Augustine’s Centre, Halifax 11:35–12:15 Equity and Purpose – Progress, Possibility, and the Path Ahead Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speakers: Chris Naylor, Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Nazeya Hussain , Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 12:15–13:15 International Perspective Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speakers: Mike Land , President Elect, International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Brenda Orchard , President of CAMA and Chief Administrative Officer, Lennox and Addington County Craig Swift-McNair, General Manager, Woollahra Council, Sydney, Australia 13:15–14:15 Exhibition and Lunch Exhibition, New Dock Hall 14:15–14:55 Sub-Plenary A: Local Power, National Plan: Delivering the 10-Year Health Strategy This session will be held under Chatham House Rule. Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Chair: John Clarke , Head of Client Solution – Healthcare, Netcall Speakers: Tom Stannard , Chief Executive, Manchester City Council and Solace Policy Lead for Health and Social Care Dr Owen Williams , Chief Executive, Northern Care Alliance Sub-Plenary B: 1.5 Million Homes: Ambition, Action, and Accountability This session will be held under Chatham House Rule. Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Chair: Jon Rouse CBE , Chief Executive, Stoke on Trent City Council and Solace Policy Lead for Housing, Planning & Infrastructure Speaker: Joanna Key , Director General, Regeneration, Housing and Planning, MHCLG 15:00–15:40 Roundtable 1A: Investing in Place to Build Financial Resilience Aire Suite, Royal Armouries Roundtable 1B: Shaping Communities – How Leaders Unlock Social and Economic Value Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Workshop 1A: Amplify – Future Ready Councils: If We Can Share a Problem, We Can Share a Solution Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Workshop 1B: Navigating Local Government Reform: Lessons from the Digital Frontline of Devolution Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Workshop 1C: Cross-party Working Against a Backdrop of No Overall Control Royal Armouries Hall A, Royal Armouries Workshop 1D: Life Safety First: Turning Risk into Assurance Royal Armouries Hall B, Royal Armouries 15:45–16:25 Workshop 2A: The Leader’s Mirror: Defining the Legacy You Leave Behind Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Workshop 2B: Public Collaborations: What Are They For? Who Does All the Work? How Long Do They Last? And Who Really Benefits? Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Workshop 2C: Leading with Purpose: Exploring the Nexus of Strategy and Leadership in Local Government Royal Armouries Hall A, Royal Armouries Workshop 2D: Delivering Together: How Local Authorities and Strategic Authorities Are Jointly Driving Place-Based Transformational Growth Royal Armouries Hall B, Royal Armouries Roundtable 2A : Local Government Reorganisation: Practical Advice and Support Aire Suite, Royal Armouries Roundtable 2B: The Silent Stakeholder: Why Residents Deserve a Seat at the LGR Table Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Roundtable 2C: Test, Learn and Grow: How Do We Build a Movement? Hotot Suite, Royal Armouries Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speaker: Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL , British Author and Broadcaster 16:30–17:30 Keynote: Empowering the Vulnerable: Lemn Sissay’s Journey of Advocacy and Change 17:30–18:15 Drinks Reception Exhibition, New Dock Hall Kindly sponsored by Transform. 18:15 Day One Close Exhibition, New Dock Hall 19:15–20:00 Presidential Drinks Reception Asia and Africa Gallery, Royal Armouries Kindly sponsored by Zellis. 20:00–00:00 Summit Charity Dinner Royal Armouries Hall, Royal Armouries Proudly supporting YoungMinds and St. Augustine's Centre. Please give generously . Dinner drinks kindly sponsored by Newtrality.

Jonathan DiggesChief Investment Officer < Speakers < Previous Next > Jonathan Digges Chief Investment Officer Octopus Energy Jonathan oversees fund management investment strategy. Since joining Octopus in 2015, he has been Product Head for Octopus Inheritance Tax Service, led the Specialist Finance Investment Team and chaired the Octopus Investment Committee.