Search this site

Gordon WilmottHead of Market for Public Services < Speakers < Previous Next > Gordon Wilmott Head of Market for Public Services Zurich Municipal Gordon Wilmott is Head of Market for Public Services at Zurich Municipal, where he leads the division in meeting the needs of its customers – local authorities from small parish councils to counties and everything in between. Providing tailored risk management and insurance solutions to support clients in maximising their impact and delivering for their communities. Gordon has also lead the division supporting the Third Sector in his time with Zurich Municipal. Prior to his roles in ZM, Gordons career… Show More

Previous Next Mark Lloyd CBE Executive Director, IMPOWER; Non-Executive Director HMPPS Mark Lloyd spent a decade as the Chief Executive of two councils before representing councils nationally for eight years as the Chief Executive of the Local Government Association. Mark is currently the executive director of IMPOWER. He is also a non-executive director of the HM Prison and Probation Service and a non-executive member of the UK Health Security Agency. He is a patron of the Whitehall & Industry Group and a member of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives. Mark was awarded a CBE for his services to local government and charity. 15:30–16:30 North East Breakout: Transition vs. Transformation: What Successful Organisations do Differently Breakout View Session 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

All Speakers Tracey Anderson Head of Scrutiny and Ward Forums, London Borough of Hackney Tracey has built a diverse career spanning both the public and private sectors, with experience in financial services, council governance and scrutiny. As Head of Scrutiny and Ward Forums in Hackney, she has dedicated nearly two decades to governance and scrutiny. In her role as the statutory scrutiny officer, Tracey oversees the council’s Overview and Scrutiny function, leading a well-regarded scrutiny team that collaborates with councillors, officers, partners and residents to develop and implement a comprehensive scrutiny work programme. Her leadership has shaped council and partner organisation policies, strategies, and service improvements while navigating complex and contentious issues. Her team has been recognised as a leading example of championing a more inclusive approach to governance and strengthening democratic accountability in local public services. Tracey has also played a key role in developing ward-level community engagement for councillors. Under her strategic leadership, ward forums have strengthened councillors’ community leadership roles, fostered stronger connections between elected representatives and their ward communities, and facilitated community action at a local level. Her work has brought local decision-making to the heart of the community, developing strong networks of local partners, organisations and residents and providing a platform for local engagement and conversation. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Future-Ready Councils: If we can share a problem, we can share a solution Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Go to session

Hal KhanomHead of Strategy and Community Participation < Speakers < Previous Next > Hal Khanom Head of Strategy and Community Participation London Borough of Barnet Hal is a strategist and service designer who works alongside communities to develop new solutions to increasingly complex challenges. She rethinks systems, the ways we work and how we relate to the place around us, to support democratic renewal and greater fairness. Translating ideas into delivery, she has lead work at neighbourhood level that creates the conditions for inclusive economies; leading socioeconomic projects and programmes in inner and outer London in local government, and across the most disadvantaged areas in… Show More

Dwayne JohnsonExternal Advisor < Speakers < Previous Next > Dwayne Johnson External Advisor ICS.AI Dwayne Johnson has a 40-year career in Local Government serving as an Executive Director for 15 years before becoming a Chief Executive for 4 years. Dwayne now leads a Consultancy focused on Local Government and AI. He has significant experience working within Political environments and has given evidence at All-Party Committees at Westminster as well as visiting Downing Street to describe how one Council he worked for managed to transform its services and received plaudits from Regulators. His experience in… Show More

Shokat LalChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Shokat Lal Chief Executive Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Shokat is currently the Chief Executive at Sandwell Council and was appointed at a time when Sandwell had commissioners in and was part of a governance intervention. In early 2024 Sandwell had the statutory directions lifted and the under Secretary for State Simon Hoare MP said there had been ‘a significant step change in the way in which the council has ordered and organised itself and its approach to governance’. Shokat has 35 years experience in local government and in… Show More

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. 2026 FEATURES 2 DAYS OF LEARNING, 55+ 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 Georgia Turner Solace Associate Claire Trickett Workforce and Organisational Development Consultant, Blackburn with Darwen Council Sue Featherstone Solace Associate and Director, Developing Success Ian Bancroft Solace Associate Jess Gibbons Chief Executive, Brighton and Hove City Council Chris Wales Director of Digital Innovation, Brighton and Hove City Council Lindsey Pearce Head of Learning, Inclusion and Organisational Development, Brighton and Hove City Council Victoria Derbyshire Journalist and BBC Topical News Presenter 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 1 ... 1 2 ... 2 LIVERPOOL 2026 Don't miss the future of local government.

Robin TuddenhamChief Executive & Policy Lead < Speakers < Previous Next > Robin Tuddenham Chief Executive & Policy Lead Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council & Solace Policy Lead for Economic Prosperity Robin is responsible for leading both the council and CCG workforce, and supporting system leadership across the area with public, private and voluntary sector leaders in support of Calderdale Vision 2024. Robin is the lead Chief Executive for Workforce Development and Cohesion, Resilience and Migration Issues for Yorkshire and Humber. He is co-chair of West Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, and a member of West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Executive Group (also known as an integrated care system),… Show More

< Back Previous Exhibitor, Sponsor Crisis https://www.crisis.org.uk Stand 9 Crisis are the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We help people out of homelessness and campaign for the changes needed to solve it altogether. Crisis work side by side with thousands of people each year as they find ways out of homelessness. We provide practical support to help people access benefits, healthcare services, employment opportunities, and more. Thank you all for supporting Crisis and helping us to end homelessness. Next

Break 09:15–10:30 Exhibition and Refreshments Exhibition Previous More information to follow. Next

Previous Next Kelli Maynard Customer Service Manager, West Northamptonshire Council Kelli Maynard is a Customer Service Manager with over 27 years of experience in local government, specialising in customer experience, service transformation, and continuous improvement. Passionate about balancing customer needs with business priorities, Kelli has successfully redesigned customer service approaches, revitalised underperforming services, and introduced innovative solutions that improve efficiency and outcomes for both customers and organisations. Throughout her career, she has championed the use of technology, including AI, to enhance customer experiences and empower teams through knowledge, training, and development. Her work has delivered year-on-year improvements in service performance, strengthened cross-departmental relationships, improved customer insight through smarter reporting, and generated significant efficiency savings. A strong advocate of people-first leadership, Kelli believes that exceptional customer service starts with engaged and supported colleagues. She is passionate about building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of transparency, collaboration, and continuous learning, recognising that when teams are valued and supported, they are best placed to deliver outstanding outcomes for customers. Kelli is driven by a desire to make life easier for residents and colleagues alike, ensuring services are both effective and customer-focused. 13:15–13:25 Rewiring the State Amplify Cohort 5: Organisational Change and Equity: Beyond Rhetoric Showcase View Session Koyejo Olugbile , Acting Sustainable Transport Coordinator, Falkirk Council Kelli Maynard , Customer Service Manager, West Northamptonshire Council

David BurnsDavid Burns < Speakers < Previous Next > David Burns David Burns Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council & Solace Northern Ireland Chair David Burns has been the Chief Executive of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council since November 2018, making the move across from Scotland with his wife and 2 children. David worked for Councils and Housing Associations in the West of Scotland for close on 25 years, with a particular focus on Council housing, housing management, community planning & engagement, capital projects and regeneration initiatives. In his spare time, David is an assistant referee with the Irish Football Association, operating at Championship… Show More