Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 City Square 08:30–10:15 Walking Study Tour Regeneration, Culture and Public Art A tour to learn about Leeds as we know it today and how its regeneration is interwoven with the recent evolution of the city’s public art and vibrant street art scene. Discover lesser known stories of Leeds past and how new diverse artworks, such as Hibiscus Rising by internationally acclaimed artist Yinka Shonibare, continue to highlight creativity and representation within our very unique city centre.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Hotot Suite, Royal Armouries 15:45-16:25 Roundtable Test, Learn and Grow: How Do We Build a Movement? Chair Evelyn John, Managing Director, Inner Circle Consulting Speaker/s Lisa Smith, Director of Strategy, Performance and Partnerships, Liverpool City Council Andrew Ferrier, Chief Executive, Test Valley Borough Council Jonathan Clifton, Director of Strategy and Communications, Sheffield City Council The sessions offers an opportunity to hear about the flagship Test, Learn and Grow programme. You’ll hear practical insights directly from participants in this pioneering approach to public service reform alongside leads from Cabinet Office, explore how a ‘test and learn’ mindset can support system-wide improvement, and how we can build a wider ‘movement’ the bridges between places and central government and closes the gap between policy intent and delivery.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Friday 17 October 20225 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 11:10–12:00 Keynote Leading Through A Crisis Chair Helen Bailey, Chief Executive, London Borough of Sutton Speaker/s Tom Stannard, Chief Executive, Manchester City Council, and Solace Policy Lead for Health & Social Care In this deeply moving keynote, Tom Stannard reflects on the recent tragic events surrounding the Manchester synagogue attack and the profound impact felt across the city. Speaking from the heart of Manchester’s local response, Tom will explore what it means to lead with compassion and steadiness in the most difficult of moments — when communities are hurting, emotions are raw, and leadership is tested in the truest sense. This session will consider how councils can support recovery, foster unity, and help communities heal in the aftermath of crisis — and how leaders can carry hope, empathy, and resilience forward in their work every day.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Exhibition, New Dock Hall 13:15–14:15 Exhibition and Lunch

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 11:35–12:15 Equity and Purpose – Progress, Possibility and the Path Ahead Chair Kirsty Wark, Speaker, Award-Winning Journalist and Presenter Speaker/s Chris Naylor, Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Nazeya Hussain, Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion In a world where the political, social and cultural ground is shifting faster than many of us can keep pace with, this session invites senior leaders to pause and reflect on what it means to lead with equity and purpose. As global narratives become more divisive and local realities more complex, the role of local government must evolve - not just as a service provider, but as a builder of trust, connection, and democratic resilience. This conversation will not dwell on past commitments, but rather challenge us to reimagine how we show up as leaders now. How do we foster belonging when communities are increasingly polarised? How do we ensure representation isn’t just a number, but a felt experience within our organisations and the communities we serve? Join us for an unflinching, honest and necessary discussion about the responsibilities we carry, and the possibilities we must unlock, as we lead effectively through the volatility of today and into the uncertainty of tomorrow.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries 15:45–16:25 Workshop Public Collaborations: What are they for? Who does all the work? How long do they last? And who really benefits? Speaker/s Ed Whiting OBE, Chief Executive, Leeds City Council Kersten England CBE, Chair, The Young Foundation; Director of Engagement, Bradford 2025 Dr Peter O’Brien, Executive Director, Yorkshire Universities Sarah Norman, Chief Executive, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Councils’ Chief Executives’ Group Yorkshire Universities (YU) with its strategic partners, Yorkshire and Humber Councils (YHC), and the HYPERLINK Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN), will share their experiences of collaboration between Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and local and mayoral combined authorities (MCAs) to drill down on what and how these relations really add value for people, places, business, and to what end. Public authority leaders are currently faced with a myriad of complex problems and finite resources. Long-term institutional structures are being reconfigured, and unprecedented global and geopolitical forces are shaping and remaking government policy agendas. Navigating these norms requires a renewed commitment to work in tandem with people, communities and places to overcome specific challenges and to realise the benefits of new and emergent opportunities. Four years after the launch of the pioneering Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between YU and YHC, there is a renewed commitment to work in partnership, and to help champion a collective voice for Yorkshire. Local government is no stranger to navigating acute financial pressures, and the region’s universities now face similar resource constraints. However, it would be a false economy to retreat into sector isolationism at a time when civic partnerships are needed more than ever, despite collaboration being labour intensive and demanding. The first phase of collaboration between YU and YHC (2021 – 2025) has yielded substantial results: £10 million of national funding awarded by UK Research & Innovation has seen Y-PERN and the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP) deepening research partnerships across HEIs, MCAs, local authorities, communities, and the NHS, to activate collective knowledge and understanding. Nationally, the MoU is seen as an exemplar of good practice and it is playing a pivotal role in helping to utilise a further £20 million of investment from the National Institute for Health Research to tackle widening health inequalities in local places, as well as providing underpinning infrastructure support for the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission . However, behind the scenes, significant effort is required to bring such programmes and networks to fruition and for them to be successful and sustainable. And what about the ideas and initiatives that get away? Or the collaborations that do not take root, result in wasted time and effort, or should prosper but somehow do not? Join us to discuss: Real-life case studies of what has/has not worked and why. Insightful discussion on the benefits and resources needed for impactful collaboration. Place-based examples across a broad and diverse geographical region, with local places at differing stages of devolution, but working on common priorities. Delviered by

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries 15:45–16:25 Workshop The Leader’s Mirror: Defining the Legacy You Leave Behind Speaker/s Averil Price, Solace Associate and Director, Avie Consultancy As a senior leader in local government, your impact extends far beyond day-to-day decision-making. The legacy you leave, whether through policies, leadership culture, or the development of future leaders, shapes communities for years to come. This interactive session on Legacy Coaching will help you define, articulate, and strengthen your professional and personal legacy while preparing for the next chapter of your career. A timely session with further local government reorganisation and devolution in England and a working group of elected leaders and chief executives looking to develop a clear vision and a set of proposals that can support a sustainable future for local government in Wales. This workshop will provide a structured and reflective space to consider: The achievements and influence you want to be remembered for. What steps you are considering next in your career and how to transition purposefully. How you can help your team prepare for their future too. Delivered by

Day One Day Two Previous Next Friday 17 October 20225 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 10:00–10:50 Panel Storming and Forming: The Creation of Combined and Strategic Authorities Speaker/s Dr Henry Kippin, Chief Executive, North East Combined Authority Amy Harhoff, Chief Executive, East Midlands Combined County Authority Mark Rogers, Chief Executive, The Leadership Centre As devolution continues to reshape the landscape of local government, combined and strategic authorities are taking centre stage in driving growth, inclusion, and reform. But what does it take to build one from the ground up — and how should they look, lead, and operate to truly deliver on their promise? In this session, leaders who have been at the forefront of creating new combined authorities will share the realities behind the headlines — from early “storming” stages of partnership building, governance, and vision-setting, through to the ongoing work of forming strong, purpose-driven organisations. Together, they’ll explore what effective leadership looks like in these complex, multi-tiered systems, the lessons learned along the way, and what this evolving model of place leadership means for the future of local government.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Navigating Local Government Reform: Lessons from the Digital Frontline of Devolution Speaker/s Mark Gannon, Director of Client Solutions, Netcall Craig Barker, Senior Manager – Digital and Customer Experience, Cumberland Council Kate Hurr, Assistant Director – Digital Innovation and ICT, Cumberland Council With local government reform reshaping councils across England, leaders face an urgent challenge: how to deliver seamless, citizen-centric services while navigating the complexity of system consolidation, workforce transitions, and operational realignment. In this session, we bring together those who have been through it to share hard-won insights on what works - and what doesn’t - when transforming service delivery amidst structural change. Join us for a discussion that blends strategic vision with real-world experience. The speakers will explore the ‘why’ of reform - unlocking efficiencies, economies of scale, and aligning services to citizen needs - while tackling the practical hurdles: multiple IT systems, complex migrations and integrations and the impact on people and processes. Expect candid reflections, actionable insights and a roadmap for delivering effective, digital-first services in the face of local government reform. Takeaways Get real-world, practical advice – This session focuses on actionable insights from those who have done it, rather than high-level theory. Avoid common pitfalls – Learn from the challenges and successes of others to make informed decisions in your own digital transformation journey. Stay ahead of change – Gain the knowledge and confidence to proactively shape your council’s approach, rather than reacting under pressure. Delivered by

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Hall B, Royal Armouries 15:45–16:25 Workshop Delivering Together: How Local Authorities and Strategic Authorities Are Jointly Driving Place-Based Transformational Growth Chair Gareth Fairweather, Senior Leader, Urban and Regional, Arup Speaker/s Tom Stannard, Chief Executive, Manchester City Council, and Solace Policy Lead for Health & Social Care Ciara Graven, Consultant – Economics and Casemaking Team, Arup Amy Harhoff, Chief Executive, East Midlands Combined County Authority As the UK Government continues to strengthen devolution, Local Authorities (LAs) and Strategic Authorities (SAs) are being entrusted with greater powers and funding to drive regional growth. This breakout session, hosted by Arup, will convene senior decision-makers from Local and Strategic Authorities to explore how to build collaborative delivery-driven organisations and co-governance arrangements, capable of translating strategic ambitions into tangible outcomes. What we will cover Through a dynamic panel discussion and active audience engagement, participants will examine the practical steps needed to scale up delivery capabilities, foster collaborative partnerships, and align investment strategies with local priorities. Drawing on insights from the recent roundtables with the HM Government Darlington Economic Campus and Arup’s extensive work with local governments, the session will highlight the importance of evidence-led decision-making, strategic clarity, and organisational transformation in achieving successful outcomes from devolution. The conversation will be framed around the challenges and opportunities identified in the English Devolution White Paper, including the need to avoid devolution becoming mere delegation, empowering LAs and SAs to lead with purpose, build robust delivery cultures, and demonstrate real-world impact for communities - especially those that feel left behind. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences, pose questions to the panel, and contribute to shaping a shared vision for successful collaboration pathways for LAs and SAs on their transformation journey to delivery-driven organisations. Takeaways Strategic Alignment for Impact Understand how LAs and SAs can define and communicate strategic priorities that resonate with local needs and national ambitions, ensuring investment decisions are outcome-focused and community-driven. Building Organisational Delivery Capability Explore approaches to scaling up delivery capability, including workforce development, cross-sector collaboration, and intentionally pursuing opportunities to align strategic infrastructure investments with efforts to drive place-based change. Collaborative Governance and Evidence-Led Planning Learn how to foster effective partnerships across government tiers and leverage data and evidence to inform investment planning, galvanise support, and demonstrate the tangible benefits of devolution. Delivered by

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Hall A, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Cross-party Working Against a Backdrop of No Overall Control Speaker/s Kathryn Rees, Executive Director Corporate and Support Services, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Vicki Bates, Assistant Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Session Outline and Objectives Running a council with no overall control isn’t just a challenge – it’s a daily balancing act. But in Stockport, it’s become a powerful catalyst for bold decisions, strong partnerships, and real transformation. In this session, Kathryn Rees lifts the lid on what it really takes to lead in such an environment. She’ll take you through the council’s pragmatic, mature approach to cross-party working – from the gritty governance and robust scrutiny, to the softer stuff like induction, communication and trust-building. You’ll learn how Stockport’s councillors and officers work together – across party lines – to make decisions that stick and get things done. The results speak for themselves: £1bn invested in the town centre, a thriving integrated Stockport Family model, and consistently resilient budgets. All achieved without a single party holding the reins. We’ll cover: What effective cross-party working looks like in real life How pre-decision scrutiny can improve outcomes, not delay them The structures and relationships that help area governance flourish Why the Leader–Chief Executive relationship is just one part of the story How consistent member engagement builds resilience and trust. This session isn’t theory. It’s practical, proven, and built from the ground up. Takeaways Learn how to lead effectively in a politically diverse council Understand the structures and behaviours that make cross-party working thrive See how a collaborative culture enables long-term transformation Take away ideas you can apply – whether you’re in overall control or not Delivered by

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