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Alison Mckenzie-Folan Solace Policy Lead and Chief Executive, Wigan Metropolitain Borough Council < Speakers < Previous Next > Alison Mckenzie-Folan Solace Policy Lead and Chief Executive, Wigan Metropolitain Borough Council Wigan Metropolitain Borough Council & Solace Alison is Chief Executive at Wigan Council having worked in Local Government for the last twelve years and previously in the Civil Service for twenty years. Alison is also the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) lead Chief Executive for Culture. Alison is passionate about public services and determined to make a difference for residents and communities. She is dedicated to inspiring the next female generation and committed to collaboration, innovation and technology. She is a Board Member of Solace (Society… Show More

Tim KleinschmidtHead of Service Design < Speakers < Previous Next > Tim Kleinschmidt Head of Service Design Cadence Innova Tim Kleinschmidt leads the service design practices for Cadence Innova with over fifteen years of experience designing and improving online and offline services within the public sector, with a focus on creating a better end-to-end experience. He is an intuitive customer-centric leader who combines systems thinking, design methodologies, best practices, process improvement techniques, and effective communication to bring people together to create better digital services and throughout his career focused on improving online and offline services in Defence, Energy, Health,… Show More

All Speakers Andrew Ferrier Chief Executive, Test Valley Borough Council 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

Optional Walking Study Tour 08:00–09:30 Liverpool’s Regen Story Meeting point: Liverpool Town Hall, Castle Street side Previous Liverpool is one of the UK's great success stories when it comes to regeneration. This guided walking tour explores how the city has transformed its world-famous waterfront and surrounding areas through investment, vision and partnership, while protecting the heritage that makes Liverpool so unique. Along the route we'll discuss the challenges the city has faced, the major developments that have changed the skyline and the opportunities that continue to shape Liverpool's future. Meeting Location: Liverpool Town Hall. Castle Street Side To Finish: Liverpool Experience Campus Next

< Back Previous Sponsor Trueman Change https://www.truemanchange.co.uk/ Trueman Change is a specialist organisational psychology consultancy helping organisations navigate change, develop effective leaders and build thriving workplace cultures. Working extensively across local government and the wider public sector, we combine psychological insight with practical, people-centred approaches to support transformation, strengthen leadership capability and help organisations achieve meaningful, sustainable change. Next

All Speakers Lord Gary Porter Political Leader and National Voice on Housing Safety Lord Gary Porter is a political leader and respected national voice on housing safety. With decades of public service, he has championed initiatives that protect residents and strengthen accountability. His influence spans policy, regulation, and advocacy, ensuring safety remains a priority in housing at both local and national levels. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Life Safety First: Turning Risk into Assurance Hall B, Royal Armouries Go to session

Rob WhitemanCBE, Chief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Rob Whiteman CBE, Chief Executive CIPFA Rob Whiteman is the Chief Executive of CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. CIPFA is the only professional accountancy body in the world exclusively dedicated to public finance, working with donors, partner governments, accountancy bodies and the public sector to advance public finance and support better public services. Rob was previously a senior civil servant in the Home Office as the Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency responsible for border security and immigration. Before that he… Show More

< Back Previous Exhibitor, Business Partner, Sponsor Alliance Leisure Services https://allianceleisure.co.uk Stand 8 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. Over the last 25 years, Alliance Leisure  has delivered more than 300 projects, ranging from multi-site regeneration projects, involving new build or significant remodelling of leisure sites, through to activating outdoor spaces, 3G pitches, theatres and cultural facilities. The company has also been instrumental in working with local authorities to optimise government funding such as the Levelling Up Fund and the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to ensure leisure facilities are efficient, sustainable and remain fit-for-purpose. These projects represent an investment value of over £550m. Alliance Leisure is also the appointed delivery partner for the UK Leisure Framework , owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL). The UK Leisure Framework is the only Framework in the UK dedicated to leisure development and provides an end-to-end solution for public sector bodies looking to scope, procure, design and build sustainable leisure, culture and sport facilities, taking advantage of efficiencies and expertise at every level of the supply chain. Next

< Back Previous Org, Breakout, Exhibitor, Sponsor Engage Process http://www.engageprocess.com Stand 26 Engage Process helps teams turn data into better decisions and impactful change. Used by over 400 public sector organisations across the UK and Netherlands, Engage brings people and evidence together to understand what works, uncover risk, and build stronger business cases, creating a practical foundation for new technologies and transformation. Next

< Back Previous Org Glasgow City Council More information to come. Next

< Back Previous Business Partner Cardo Group https://cardogroup.co.uk Cardo Group is a national contractor delivering essential works across the UK and Ireland. We operate at scale, supporting clients across the public, private and secure-estate sectors. Our work is structured around four core workstreams: Responsive Repairs & Voids, Planned Works & Capital Refurbishment, Energy Efficiency & Retrofit, and Compliance Services. Through a combination of targeted acquisitions and continued organic growth, our aim is straightforward – to build a modern, well-governed organisation recognised as one of the leading contractors serving public, private and secure estates. We deliver nationally but with a local mindset, keeping close to the communities we serve and to the clients who trust us to deliver safely, consistently and well. Our structure gives us the capacity of a national organisation, supported by locally based teams who understand the areas in which they work. Our success is driven by experienced, competent, and highly skilled teams who deliver services in full alignment with current legislation and industry best practice. This is underpinned by rigorous governance processes that ensure consistently high standards, quality assurance, and customer satisfaction across all areas of delivery. Next

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Future-Ready Councils: If we can share a problem, we can share a solution Speaker/s Diksha Vyas, Head of Digital Change and Service Improvement, Bracknell Forest Council Tracey Anderson, Head of Scrutiny and Ward Forums, London Borough of Hackney This session sets out a bold new approach: a federated, public sector-led consultancy model that brings councils together to co-design scalable solutions to shared challenges. Grounded in shared expertise, co-creation, and equity, this model aims to eliminate duplication, level the playing field, and accelerate progress for all—empowering a more collaborative, future-ready public sector. We believe the future of local government delivery lies in enabling people across our councils to lead change with shared purpose, and to collaborate across organisational and geographic boundaries. Big Idea: A Sector-Led Consultancy Model for Shared Challenges Let’s ask some difficult questions: How much is each council spending on software, consultants, and bespoke solutions to tackle the same problems? How many of us depend on “luck”—a good account manager, a standout hire, or a place in a central government pilot—to make progress? What happens to councils that miss out, but still face the same pressures? And what about the systems and services we tolerate—not because they work, but because the cost or risk of change feels too high? Now imagine a future where: Councils pool their talent, experience, and creativity to design common solutions. A national challenge, such as improving EHCP outcomes or reducing housing pressures, is tackled by a multi-disciplinary team drawn from across authorities. These solutions—whether new processes, policy frameworks, or digital prototypes—are freely shared, adapted locally, and scaled. No council is left behind, because innovation is a shared sector asset, not a privilege. This model functions as a public sector “think-and-do tank,” built from within by the people who understand the challenges best. It’s practical. It’s equitable. And it’s entirely achievable. Takeaways A compelling new vision for collaborative delivery across local government Inspiration from leaders who have embraced courage, purpose, and systems thinking Practical pathways to get involved—from digital participation to secondments Energy, ambition, and momentum to help shape a shared delivery future Delivered by