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Day One Day Two Previous Next Friday 17 October 20225 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 12:00–12:50 Keynote Katie Piper Speaker/s Katie Piper OBE, Writer, Activist and Broadcaster Few stories capture the power of human strength and kindness quite like Katie Piper’s. After surviving a life-changing attack, Katie chose not only to rebuild her own life but to use her platform to help others do the same — founding a charity, writing best-selling books, and championing inclusion through her broadcasting and advocacy work. In this candid and hopeful session, Katie reflects on what it means to lead with empathy and purpose when faced with profound change. She’ll explore how people and communities can come together to restore confidence, belonging, and opportunity — themes that sit at the heart of local government work. Katie’s story challenges us to look differently at vulnerability and courage, and to recognise the quiet power of everyday leadership — whether supporting a neighbour, shaping public services, or nurturing a culture of care within our teams. This is a rare opportunity to hear from someone who embodies optimism in action — reminding us that healing and progress, both personal and collective, begin with compassion and belief in the potential of others.

Break 11:00–11:30 Refreshments Exhibition Previous More information to follow. Next

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Previous Next Alison McCullagh Chief Executive, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and Solace Northern Ireland Branch Chair Alison McCullagh took up post as Chief Executive of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on 1 February 2020; from December 2014, she had been the Council’s Director of Regeneration and Planning. Prior to this, Alison had been Omagh District Council’s Head of Development, she has also worked in higher education and in the voluntary and community sector. She is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia, and also studied at Boston College. Alison has led a number of strategic capital and partnership projects within the Council district and on a cross border basis and has a particular interest in community led regeneration and wider place shaping initiatives. She was Vice Chair of Solace NI June 2024-2026 and is currently Solace NI Chair for June 2026-2028. Alison is also the current Co-Chair of the Northern Ireland Emergency Preparedness Group (NIEPG). 10:00–11:00 Main Stage Beyond Barriers: Authentic Women’s Leadership in Local Government Panel Session View Session What does it take to lead when barriers to leadership are not experienced equally? Beyond Barriers explores the challenges women and people from other minoritised communities face in senior local government leadership, including discrimination, exclusion and workplace cultures. Building on previous research, this engaging, honest conversation will examine why inequalities persist, while celebrating leaders and organisations driving positive change. Speakers will share experiences, challenge assumptions and explore practical ways to create more inclusive leadership cultures.

Showcase Zone 11:10–11:20 Barnsley: Health on the High Street Rewiring the State Matt O’Neill, Executive Director, Place, Barnsley Council Read More Previous Barnsley is taking an innovative approach to town centre regeneration by bringing health and wellbeing into the heart of the high street. This session will explore the thinking behind the Health on the High Street initiative and how the Council is using the opportunity to connect regeneration, health and the changing role of the town centre. Using Barnsley’s experience as a practical case study, the session will consider how place-based investment can respond to changing patterns of town centre use while supporting better access to services and creating new reasons for people to visit and spend time in the town centre. The session will share the key lessons from Barnsley’s journey so far, including the importance of partnership working, aligning health and regeneration objectives, thinking differently about how public services can contribute to vibrant and sustainable town centres and how Barnsley is using its Tech Town status to support the adoption of AI in public services to improve customer and patient experiences. Next

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Previous Next Sue Featherstone Solace Associate and Director, Developing Success Sue is director of a coaching consultancy, providing executive coaching, coach and leadership training, alongside team coaching and facilitation to board and leadership teams. Her earlier career in manufacturing management, corporate HR and Learning and latterly as HR & OD Director, gives her a clear understanding of the challenges of leadership. Sue’s early career involved operational, HR and learning and development roles in the private sector. Whilst bringing up three boys she set up her own consultancy business in 2005, working with leaders and teams across the public, private and not for profit sectors. Her work for Solace has involved supporting the development of a coaching culture within a local authority and team coaching to support Executive and wider Leadership Teams as they navigate the challenges of LGR. Sue coaches at Board level in a variety of public and private sector organisations and has supported a number of Local Authority Directors and Senior Leaders in this space. Sue achieved Post Graduate Certificates in Executive and Business Coaching, alongside Post Graduate Diplomas in Personnel Management and Coaching Psychology. She has gone on to lecture in coaching and team coaching at Leeds Beckett University and University College Dublin. She holds a Senior Practitioner Accreditation with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and continues to actively contribute to the coaching profession, recently becoming an assessor for the EMCC. She has regular supervision believing this is essential for coaches continued professional and personal development. Chartered Fellow of C.I.P.D. Professional member of EMCC, holding a Senior Practitioner Coaching Accreditation. Sue’s main interest is working with individuals and teams at a deeper level to enable transformational change. 13:30–13:40 Rewiring the State Blackburn with Darwen: The Trojan Horse of Leadership Development Showcase View Session Speakers: Claire Trickett , Workforce and Organisational Development Consultant, Blackburn with Darwen Council Sue Featherstone , Solace Associate and Director, Developing Success 09:50–10:00 Rewiring the State Blackburn with Darwen: The Trojan Horse of Leadership Development Showcase View Session Speakers: Claire Trickett , Workforce and Organisational Development Consultant, Blackburn with Darwen Council Sue Featherstone , Solace Associate and Director, Developing Success

Previous Next Paul Brace Director of Communities and Health, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Paul is a senior local government leader with extensive experience in community services, public health, environmental improvement and partnership working. He currently serves as Director of Communities and Health for Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council, leading services that support safer, healthier and more resilient communities across both authorities. In his role, Paul provides strategic leadership across a broad range of community-focused services and programmes, working closely with elected Members, senior officers, partners and local stakeholders to improve outcomes for residents. His work includes community safety, health and wellbeing, anti-social behaviour initiatives, safeguarding, policy development and public engagement. Paul is committed to delivering practical improvements that make a tangible difference to local communities. He has led initiatives aimed at strengthening community safety, securing investment in local projects and supporting collaborative working with partners across the public, voluntary and health sectors. His leadership focuses on ensuring services remain responsive, effective and centred on the needs of residents. Known for his collaborative and pragmatic approach, Paul works across organisational boundaries to develop solutions to complex challenges and deliver positive change. He is passionate about building strong partnerships, supporting community resilience and ensuring councils continue to provide high-quality services that improve the wellbeing of local people. As a member of the senior leadership team, Paul plays an important role in corporate governance, performance oversight and strategic planning, helping to shape the future direction of services across both councils while maintaining a strong focus on residents and communities. 15:30–16:30 Main Stage Breakout: Local Government Reform Is Paused—So What Do We Do Next? Breakout View Session Speakers: Jonathan Stephenson , Joint Chief Executive, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Greg Campbell , Strategic Director, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Paul Brace , Director of Communities and Health, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Hall A, Royal Armouries 15:45–16:25 Workshop Leading with Purpose: Exploring the Nexus of Strategy and Leadership in Local Government Speaker/s Dr Mariana Pexton, Deputy Chief Executive, Leeds City Council Given the complex challenges facing local government, this case study research examines the features of senior officer leadership in relation to strategy development and delivery. Hear about the findings and what that might mean for leadership practice. The study investigated existing leadership and strategy literature, including that specifically about the public sector, and explored the use and potential value of adaptive leadership and strategic intent as subsets of the broader subjects. This research investigated the relevance of these concepts in local government, as well as the relationship between them in theory and practice. This study was qualitative, undertaking semi-structured interviews with the top team, and using reflexive thematic analysis to generate findings. Participants in this research have distinct roles with different statutory responsibilities, as well as generic strategic leadership functions, with the data showing a strong degree of consistency as well as diverse perspectives. Findings included leadership and strategy being purpose driven, adaptable and delivery focused, also noting the importance of organisational culture, combined system and organisational leadership, and equality, diversity and inclusion. The findings also highlighted the significant role of the Chief Executive on the nexus of strategy and leadership, including setting a constructive organisational culture and convening key partner relationships, and the data demonstrated that strategic intent and adaptive leadership are used and useful in a local government context. The research concluded strong alignment between the data and literature, making a unique contribution to the literature gap about the leadership and strategy in local government, about the interrelationship between adaptive leadership and strategic intent, and their application in local government given the contemporary challenges faced. Given this was a professional doctorate, the conclusions provide recommendations for leadership and strategy, as well as further research opportunities in the public sector given the literature gap. The thesis is not publishable in order to protect the anonymity and confidentiality of participants; however the general findings and conclusions can be shared as a way of stimulating further debate and providing constructive insight about approaches to leadership and strategy given the challenging context the sector faces. Takeaways Gain insight from recent academic research (through a professional doctorate) about strategy and leadership in the sector given the challenges facing the sector. Hear the findings from the research to stimulate reflection about organisational and system leadership practice and development. Be part of a conversation that informs wider leadership thinking in the sector. Delivered by

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 11:25–11:35 Finding Home in Halifax: Stella's Story Delivered by

Previous Next Sam Hartley Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, The Electoral Commission Sam is the Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement. He leads the Commission’s work to understand and analyse the challenges to well-run elections and referendums in the UK, and the Commission's extensive programme of voter education and engagement. This includes: our comprehensive reports on elections and referendums our wide-ranging research programme on electoral registration and participation our detailed analysis of policy and legislation proposed by the UK’s governments leading the programme of work with schools, and other civic bodies and partners, to deliver education and resources about engaging in the democratic process Sam joined the Commission in 2025, having previously established and led the statutory public inquiry into the Omagh bombing. He had previously also been Director of Policy, Research and Analysis and Deputy Secretary at the UK Covid-19 public inquiry. Sam has a background in senior leadership in the public sector, having led arm's length bodies in the constitutional and transport fields. He has held other senior roles in healthcare and constitutional regulators, as well as in the Cabinet Office. Sam is a board member of both the Boundary Commission for Wales and the Association of Chief Executives. 11:45–12:45 Main Stage Local Choices, National Consequences: What May’s Elections Tell Us About Britain’s Democratic Future 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

All Speakers Evelyn John Inner Circle Consulting Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45-16:25 Test, Learn and Grow: How Do We Build a Movement? Hotot Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session