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All Speakers Gareth Fairweather Senior Leader, Urban and Regional, Arup Gareth is a senior leader in urban and regional development, transport strategy, infrastructure investment, and governance. His background in town planning, transport-led regeneration and placemaking sees him take an outcomes and systems-led approach his work, supporting clients position infrastructure and investments as enablers of wider change. He has a sharp focus on good governance, collaboration and structured partnership working, bringing a strong understanding of the opportunities presented through devolution. 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

Denise McGuckinManaging Director at Hartlepool Borough Council and Civil & Community Resilience Policy Lead at Solace < Speakers < Previous Next > Denise McGuckin Managing Director at Hartlepool Borough Council and Civil & Community Resilience Policy Lead at Solace Denise has over 27 years’ experience in Local Government, all with Hartlepool Borough Council. She has had various roles include Environmental Services Manager, Neighbourhood Manager, Community Safety Partnership lead, Assistant Director for Environment and Neighbourhoods, Director for Regeneration and Neighbourhoods. Prior to this she worked in the private sector in hospitality.

All Speakers Lee Goodenough Executive Director, Harmony Fire Lee Goodenough, Executive Director at Harmony Fire, has been instrumental in shaping the framework now transforming safety across the UK. With a proven track record of leadership and innovation, Lee drives change that ensures compliance, strengthens resilience, and raises safety standards, influencing the way organisations and communities protect people nationwide. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Life Safety First: Turning Risk into Assurance Hall B, Royal Armouries Go to session

Amy HarhoffSolace Deputy Policy Lead for Economic Prosperity & Corporate Director Regeneration Economy & Growth < Speakers < Previous Next > Amy Harhoff Solace Deputy Policy Lead for Economic Prosperity & Corporate Director Regeneration Economy & Growth Durham County Council Amy is Corporate Director of Regeneration and Growth for Durham County Council, one of the largest local authorities in the UK. Amy has previously held senior roles in local government in two large metropolitan authorities in the West Midlands and Sheffield City Region, passionate about communities and our potential for growth, Amy has also held senior roles for Transport for the North, Sheffield City Region and Transport for Greater Manchester. Amy has a breadth of experience in delivering major investments,… Show More

Louise SunderlandPartner Local & Devolved Government < Speakers < Previous Next > Louise Sunderland Partner Local & Devolved Government EY Louise is the Partner leading EY Local and Devolved Government practice. Louise brings over 20 years experience operating at a senior level both across the public sector and professional services. Louise has worked across regional and local government and has deep experience across economic development and regeneration; skills; devolution; local government reform; inclusive growth. Louise has held positions as a Senior Civil Servant- managing large operational teams and delivering change across reform, shared services, technology Louise specialises in delivering sustainable change and impact in public services… Show More

Mark HepworthCo-Founder & PBII Lead < Speakers < Previous Next > Mark Hepworth Co-Founder & PBII Lead The Good Economy Mark Hepworth is the co-Founder of The Good Economy and leads the firm’s place-based impact investing work. He is a multidisciplinary economist and entrepreneur whose international career spans academia, public policy and business consulting. Mark’s work over 40 years has focused on innovation and new paradigms for economic development. He also directs The Good Economy's research and policy work on inclusive and sustainable development. Radical innovation as a driver of economic and social change across cities, regions and countries has… Show More

Stand TBC < Back Norse Group norsegroup.co.uk About Norse Group At Norse Group, we deliver the spaces and services that help communities thrive. As the UK’s largest Local Authority Trading Company, wholly owned by Norfolk County Council, we are rooted in public values and driven by the belief that there’s always a better way to deliver. We are trusted by councils and partners nationwide to provide integrated services across strategic asset and estates management, multidisciplinary design, facilities management, building maintenance, waste and environmental services, and care. These span key public sectors including property and housing, education, and healthcare, creating the foundations that enable communities to function and grow. We operate at the intersection of national policy and local delivery, bridging ambition with action, and making long-term impact real, scalable, and rooted in place. Built around people We work in close partnership with local authorities, public sector bodies, emergency services, and education providers to deliver tailored solutions. These relationships are built on trust, transparency, and shared objectives, enabling us to support both operational delivery and long-term strategy. By combining expertise with flexibility, we help clients sustain vital services, adapt to evolving demands, and achieve better outcomes for the communities they serve. From everyday essentials to life’s most critical moments, we are proud to be part of the public service journey – powering local potential and supporting those who need us most.

All Speakers Mike Land City Manager of Coppell, Texas, and President-Elect of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Michael Land is the City Manager of Coppell, Texas, a role he has held since 2017 following five years as Deputy City Manager. With over three decades of public service experience, Mike is also the President-Elect of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). His career includes serving as Town Manager for Prosper, City Manager and Community Development Director for Gainesville, Texas, and Planning & Zoning Director in Tavares, Florida. He also worked in private-sector land planning in Sarasota and Orlando, where he chaired Sarasota County’s Affordable Housing Task Force. Mike is a Credentialed Manager through ICMA, a Certified Public Manager, and holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design and Master of Science in Land Development from Texas A&M University. He is a graduate of the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia and holds a Project Management Certificate from Duke University. A dedicated mentor and leader, Mike has served as President of the Texas City Management Association, on the ICMA Board of Directors, and on advisory boards for Texas State University, UTA’s MPA program, and Texas Women’s Leadership Institute. Recognized among “21 Leaders for the 21st Century” by the Collin County Business Press, Mike is committed to advancing professional local government and fostering community success. He and his wife Lisa live in Coppell and enjoy spending time with their three daughters and four grandchildren. Thursday 16 October 2025 12:15–13:15 International Perspective Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

All Speakers Kevin Bolt MBA Managing Director, Step-Change Management Kevin has a background in business transformation which led him into the Social Housing sector in 2014 when he was appointed as the CEO of Bedford Housing Association, bpha. He led bpha for 9 years securing the highest G1, V1 regulatory gradings, adding c.5,000 new homes and establishing a culture of ‘the customer first’ through initiates such as the updating of high-rise homes, establishing in-house repairs and maintenance services and bring the ‘customer voice’ into everyday decisions. Through 2024, he led Octavia, one of London’s oldest Housing Associations, into a strategically vital merger with Abri. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Life Safety First: Turning Risk into Assurance Hall B, Royal Armouries Go to session

Manny Singh Planning Services Improvement Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Manny Singh Planning Services Improvement Manager Wealden District Council Manny has worked in local government for eighteen years and the Private Sector for four years and is the Planning Services Improvement Manager. Manny is passionate about public services and how he can contribute to differences he can make to our residents and communities. His professional journey has been defined by a commitment to enhancing the customer journey, improving service access, and influencing managed services with a firm belief that exceptional results can be achieved in even the most dynamic… Show More

All Speakers Nicola Monk Divisional CEO, Energy & Environment, Procurement & Partnerships, Commercial Services Group Nicola joined Commercial Services Group in 2023 as Divisional CEO following a successful career in local government. A highly regarded executive leader with exceptional skills in public sector strategy and management, Nicola’s role is to deliver outstanding commercial growth across our Energy & Environment and Procurement & Partnerships divisions, ensuring the Group’s customer, people and social value ambitions are achieved along the way. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Shaping Communities – How Leaders Unlock Social and Economic Value Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

< All sponsors Engage Process Stand 5 www.engageprocess.com Engage Process empowers leaders to bridge cost savings with better service delivery. Our platform delivers strategic insight through collaborative process improvement, allowing teams to visualise, analyse, and optimise services. Trusted across government, we support informed decision-making, helping organisations deliver high-impact changes and continuous improvement for their communities.