Search this site

Paulette McAllisterProgramme Director Strategic Housing Delivery Programme < Speakers < Previous Next > Paulette McAllister Programme Director Strategic Housing Delivery Programme Brentwood Borough Council Paulette has over 30 years’ experience in the Built Environment. As an accredited advisor to Public and Private Sectors she has a strong track record in place-making and urban design, including regeneration strategies for new settlements and urban extensions across the Southeast. Her longstanding role supporting local government in the UK also involves acting as an external consultee and advisor in the delivery of high-quality homes and Placemaking. She currently also acts as Programme Director for the Strategic Housing Development… Show More

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

All Speakers Tom Stannard Chief Executive, Manchester City Council Tom Stannard is the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, one of the largest Core Cities in the UK and a highly performing organisation of almost 7,000 staff. Manchester is a fast growing and diverse city of over 600,000 people, with a proud history of successfully competing on the global stage to attract investment, jobs and visitors. Tom works closely with Cllr Bev Craig as Leader of the Council, focussed on maximising these strengths and ensuring that growth generates benefits for the whole city, providing excellent day-to-day services and improving the lives of Manchester’s residents. Manchester is the major driver of regional growth across the 3M population, £87bn GDP Greater Manchester city region. The City Council is a key member of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and partner in the £8BN+ GMCA devolution programme, and Tom is currently the GMCA Chief Executive lead for the economy, business and international portfolio. He also leads Manchester’s integrated health and social care system as the designated Place-Based Lead for Manchester in the Greater Manchester Integrated Care System (ICS), with NHS Greater Manchester. Tom joined Manchester City Council following more than 27 years of experience in local government across the UK, including in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and London. Most recently he spent four years as the Chief Executive of Salford City Council, leading the Council to some of the highest levels of performance in the North West, and recognition in 2024 as City of the Year and the LGC’s Best Place to Work. He is nationally recognised as a leading voice in local government, and has a track record of delivery in regeneration, inclusive growth, public service reform and improving council services. Tom is a Chartered Surveyor, a Member and Chair of the UK Institute of Economic Development, and a Commissioner on the Living Wage Foundation for the UK. For a number of years, he has been a member, policy lead and spokesperson for Solace, currently on Health and Social Care Thursday 16 October 2025 14:15–14:55 Local Power, National Plan: Delivering the 10-Year Health Strategy Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Go to session 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 11:10–12:00 Leading Through A Crisis Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

Henry StratfordAssistant Director < Speakers < Previous Next > Henry Stratford Assistant Director Outcomes Matter Consulting Henry is Assistant Director for Outcomes Matter Consulting – who lead people and change management projects focused on emerging technologies. Henry has extensive experience leading change projects with local authorities, particularly in children's services. He understands how to get things done as well as bring people along that journey. He believes that collaboration and partnerships are the best way to have the biggest social impact – and is excited about the partnership between Agilisys Transform, Outcomes Matter, Datnexa, and local… Show More

All Speakers Katie Piper OBE Writer, Activist and Broadcaster Katie Piper is a best-selling international author, inspirational speaker, TV presenter and charity campaigner. Katie made the decision to share her story in a remarkable film for the Cutting Edge strand on Channel 4 called 'Katie: My Beautiful Face' which was watched by over 3.5million viewers and nominated for Best Single Documentary at the BAFTA Television Awards. Over ten years ago she set up a charity The Katie Piper Foundation to help people with burns and scars to reconnect with their lives and their communities. Simon Cowell supported Katie by becoming the patron and remains actively involved to date. The charity's vision is a world where scars do not limit a person's function, social inclusion or sense of well-being and they achieved their goal to open a rehabilitation centre in the UK to offer other burns survivors the treatments that Katie received in France. In addition to her charity commitments, Katie hosts her own ITV1 show ‘The Katie Piper Breakfast Show’ which is in its third series, is a regular panellist on ITV1’s ‘Loose Women’, and is one of the key faces of the W Channel with her hit series ‘Katie Piper’s Jailhouse Mums’. She is also an experienced radio presenter having covered the Early Morning Breakfast Show and the Michael Ball Show on BBC Radio 2. Her other TV credits include ‘Never Seen a Doctor’ for C4 where she helped people overcome their fears around medical procedures and guided them on their journey back to good health, ‘The Death of Aimee Spencer’ for the Crime and Punishment strand on ITV1, C4’s ‘Famous and Fighting Crime’ where she trained as a special in the police force and ‘Katie Piper’s Face to Face’ where she invited women with facial conditions to London’s Harvey Nichols for makeovers with makeup artists who shared the same facial condition. She also fronted three series of ‘Body Shockers’ for C4 where she met people planning major body modifications and introduced them to someone who had already had the modification done and regretted it. Katie is regularly engaged as a public speaker and has told her inspiring story to audiences at public shows such as WE Day, Women’s Health Live and the Cosmopolitan Self Made Summit as well as for corporate events at Google, Facebook and The NHS. Katie has also written a number of bestselling adult and children’s books and has now launched her own imprint The UnSeen, a brand new literary imprint that’s putting those who were previously ‘unheard’ at the forefront. Katie’s most recent affirmation book, ‘A Little Bit of Hope’ was published last year and her first children’s book ‘All You Need’ was released in 2023 with the second book launching later this year. She is also currently working on the screen adaption of her first book which is due to start filming in 2025. Friday 17 October 20225 12:00–12:50 Katie Piper Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

David BurnsDavid Burns < Speakers < Previous Next > David Burns David Burns Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council & Solace Northern Ireland Chair David Burns has been the Chief Executive of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council since November 2018, making the move across from Scotland with his wife and 2 children. David worked for Councils and Housing Associations in the West of Scotland for close on 25 years, with a particular focus on Council housing, housing management, community planning & engagement, capital projects and regeneration initiatives. In his spare time, David is an assistant referee with the Irish Football Association, operating at Championship… Show More

Sarah ForsterCEO & Co- Founder < Speakers < Previous Next > Sarah Forster CEO & Co- Founder The Good Economy Sarah Forster is CEO and Co-Founder of The Good Economy (TGE), a leading impact advisory firm dedicated to enhancing the contribution of business and finance to inclusive and sustainable development. She has been at the forefront of finance for positive impact for more than 25 years, working in the fields of sustainable economic development, development finance, and impact measurement and management both internationally and in the UK. She combines a strong knowledge of public and private sector development policy issues… Show More

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.

Stand TBC < Back Salesforce salesforce.com Salesforce is the world’s #1 CRM, helping councils connect with citizens in the digital age. With Customer 360 for Public Sector, local authorities can manage relationships, cases, collaboration, analytics, engagement, and application development—all in one secure, flexible platform. Councils gain a 360° view of citizens, services, employees, and businesses, while citizens benefit from a single place to manage all interactions with the council. The result: better services, improved customer care, reduced call volumes and complaints, and lower costs. Salesforce is low-code, scalable, and easy to deploy—enabling councils to modernise quickly, operate efficiently, and deliver real transformation for their communities.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Barton Suite, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Roundtable Shaping Communities – How Leaders Unlock Social and Economic Value Speaker/s Nicola Monk, Divisional CEO, Energy & Environment, Procurement & Partnerships, Commercial Services Group Rosa Foster, Director, Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission Jon Gleek, Head of Research LGIU, Senior Leader from Local Government Hayley Hamlett, Director of HR & Corporate Affairs, Halton Borough Council Session Outline and Objectives Local government leaders are facing one of the toughest financial periods in recent memory. With growing demand for services and shrinking budgets, chief executives are being asked to make deeper cuts while still protecting communities. In this environment, conversations about social impact can feel like a luxury. Yet, for many leaders, it remains at the heart of what they do: shaping stronger, fairer, and more resilient places. This panel discussion recognises the fiscal reality but also highlights that driving social and economic value does not always mean spending more. Instead, it’s about seizing opportunities that already exist, adopting proven models, and looking ahead to future innovations that can reduce costs while improving lives. Delivered by

Business Partners Alliance Leisure CityFibre Civica Commonplace Fujitsu GCA Hill Norse Group Oracle PSTAX Robertson Group Salesforce Workday Zurich Municipal

Sarah NormanChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Sarah Norman Chief Executive Barnsley Metropolitian Borough Council Chief Executive of Barnsley Council since 2019 and previously Chief Executive of Dudley Council between 2015 and 2019. Before that Sarah's background was in Adults and Children’s services and she was previously both the DASS and the DCS at the City of Wolverhampton. Sarah has 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, she… Show More