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All Speakers Sarah Norman Chief Executive, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Councils’ Chief Executives’ Group Chief Executive of Barnsley Council since 2019 and previously Chief Executive of Dudley Council between 2015 and 2019. I am also the Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Chief Executive’s Group, who support the Yorkshire Leaders Board to meet their priorities, explore policy issues and work collaboratively to address challenges faced by our councils and share good practice amongst our places. This includes working closely with our key partners and stakeholders, such as Yorkshire Universities. Before that my background was in Adults and Children’s services and I was previously both the DASS and the DCS at the City of Wolverhampton. I have also spent periods of time in central government agencies and the voluntary sector and did two terms as an elected member in Liverpool in the 1990s. Passionate about making a difference in our places I was delighted to see Barnsley receive the “double” win and crowned Council of the Year at both the LGC and MJ Awards in 2023 to reflect in particular our success at transforming our town centre to make Barnsley the Place of Possibilities. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45–16:25 Public Collaborations: What are they for? Who does all the work? How long do they last? And who really benefits? Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

< All sponsors Bevan Brittan Stand 20 www.bevanbrittan.com Bevan Brittan's experience in advising local government is unrivalled. Whether you are grappling with devolution and LGR, facing financial difficulties, looking to improve service provision, fielding disputes or dealing with any other circumstances that require legal advice, our top tier ranked local government team is here to help. Our team stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your team. We bring our decades of experience of advising local government up and down the country to give you clear, concise and contextualised strategic advice, allowing you to make the right decisions and implement the right solutions. Whatever the opportunity or problem may be, whatever the type of legal advice required, have a chat with us today and see how we can support you.

All Speakers Kirsty Wark Speaker, award-winning journalist and presenter Kirsty Wark is one of the UK’s trailblazing female news journalists. She presented BBC’s Newsnight for 30 years, stepping down after the 2024 General Election. Her long career on Newsnight has seen her holding politicians and public figures to account with her formidable interviewing skills. She made her reputation as a journalist and producer on BBC Scotland, memorably reporting from the scene of the Lockerbie bombing, before joining BBC 2’s arts strand The Late Show as a presenter, moving on to Newsnight in 1993. Kirsty continued to span both arts and news/current affairs, hosting The Review Show for over a decade, as well as a range of BBC Arts series and documentaries. Over the years she has had memorable encounters with everyone from Margaret Thatcher to Madonna, Harold Pinter to Pete Doherty, Damian Hirst to George Clooney and the likes of Toni Morrison, Donna Tartt and Philip Roth. Kirsty hosts Radio 4’s long-running flagship series The Reunion, and regularly presents of Start the Week. She continues to present arts programmes on TV and Radio, cultural history series such as The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland and Panorama specials. Kirsty has won several major awards for her work including BAFTA Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting, Journalist of the Year and Best Television Presenter. In 2024 she was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the RTS Journalism Awards. Thursday 16 October 2025 11:35–12:15 Equity and Purpose – Progress, Possibility and the Path Ahead Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session Thursday 16 October 2025 12:15–13:15 International Perspective Main Stage, New Dock Hall 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

< All sponsors CIPFA Stand 9 www.cipfa.org CIPFA is the home of excellence in public finance. We exist to ensure public money is well spent and well managed for the benefit of us all. We are a UK-based international accountancy membership and standard-setting body and the only such body globally dedicated to public financial management.

Stand TBC < Back Oracle www.oracle.com Oracle Corporation plays a vital role in empowering public services across the UK to innovate, adapt, and deliver better outcomes for citizens. As a trusted technology partner, Oracle supports government departments, local authorities, healthcare providers, and public agencies in modernising their operations—securely, efficiently, and at scale. With deep expertise in cloud, data, and digital transformation, Oracle enables public sector organisations to unlock the full value of their information, streamline complex processes, and enhance citizen experiences. Whether it's helping councils accelerate digital services, supporting healthcare organisations with data-driven decision-making, or enabling government bodies to collaborate more effectively, Oracle’s solutions are designed for resilience, security, and agility

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries 14:15–14:55 Sub Plenary Local Power, National Plan: Delivering the 10-Year Health Strategy Chair John Clarke, Head of Client Solution – Healthcare, Netcall Speaker/s Tom Stannard, Chief Executive, Manchester City Council, and Solace Policy Lead for Health & Social Care Dr Owen Williams OBE, Chief Executive, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust This session will examine the strategic and policy dimensions of the 10-Year Health Plan, focusing on its implications for local government leadership, planning, and delivery. As national health priorities shift toward prevention, integration, and place-based approaches, local authorities are being called upon to play a more central role in shaping population health outcomes. Expect candid discussion on leadership, collaboration, and the role of local authorities in driving health equity and innovation.

Graeme HunterPartner People Services < Speakers < Previous Next > Graeme Hunter Partner People Services EY Graeme leads our People Consulting business for Local and Devolved Government, and is passionate about putting people at the heart of local government services and empowering them with fantastic leadership and learning. He started his career in local government, where we worked across corporate services, social care, culture and regulatory services, before moving into consulting. He has over 20 years experience leading and delivering complex transformation programmes in local government, policing, housing and the Civil Service. His projects improve the… Show More

Stand TBC < Back Alliance Leisure allianceleisure.co.uk Alliance Leisure is the UK’s leading leisure development specialist. Working in partnership with local authorities, leisure trusts and leisure operators, Alliance Leisure is designing and developing engaging place-based active environments that cater for everyone.

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

All Speakers Amy Harhoff Chief Executive, East Midlands Combined County Authority Amy Harhoff is the first permanent Chief Executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority. Amy joined EMCCA from her role as Corporate Director for Regeneration, Economy, and Growth at Durham County Council. Her extensive leadership experience also includes senior leadership roles for West Mids, South Yorkshire Combined Authority, and Transport for Greater Manchester.   Working alongside Mayor Claire Ward, Amy is driving forward EMCCA’s ambitious agenda, focused on improving transport, housing, skills, employment, and climate resilience. Her leadership is rooted in inclusivity, collaboration and delivery, bringing together local authorities, businesses, and communities to unlock the region’s full potential.    With a clear vision for inclusive growth, Amy is harnessing the East Midlands’ strengths, from world-class universities and global industries to a thriving visitor economy and rich cultural heritage. Under her leadership, EMCCA is building a more connected, skilled, and sustainable region - one with a strong identity and shared purpose.  Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45–16:25 Delivering Together: How Local Authorities and Strategic Authorities Are Jointly Driving Place-Based Transformational Growth Hall B, Royal Armouries Go to session Friday 17 October 20225 10:00–10:50 Storming and Forming: The Creation of Combined and Strategic Authorities Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

Vicky WillettDirector for Policy and Transformation < Speakers < Previous Next > Vicky Willett Director for Policy and Transformation St Helens Borough Council Vicky is Director for Policy and Transformation at St Helens Council with responsibility for ICT and Digital, organisational transformation, people management and performance improvement. Vicky is a people-focused leader, passionate about leveraging data and technology to achieve better outcomes for people and places.