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Angela Carr Maintenance & Voids Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Angela Carr Maintenance & Voids Manager Stroud District Council Angela is currently Maintenance & Voids Manager for Stroud District Council’s in house response repairs team, Property Care. This role is varied and fast paced as it involves managing two of the most important issues affecting social housing tenants – delivering response repairs and returning safe and compliant properties to house future tenants. Angela has worked in local government for five years and in social housing for over 25 years, covering development of new homes, planned investment programmes and mechanical… Show More

Peter AghManaging Director < Speakers < Previous Next > Peter Agh Managing Director ICMA Europe Peter Agh is the Managing Director of ICMA Europe, former Vice-President of ICMA and former President of the Slovak City Managers Association. Peter has 15+ years of experience as City Manager of the Municipalities of Nove Zamky, Dvory, Kamenin, Bratislava (all in Slovakia). In addition to his professional experience, Peter is a graduate of Harvard University (Kennedy School of Government - Senior Executive Program) and the University of Virginia (Weldon Cooper Center - Senior Executive Institute). He completed his PhD… Show More

Jo PittLocal Government Policy Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Jo Pitt Local Government Policy Manager CIPFA Joanne Pitt is an experienced local government adviser and has 25 years of public sector experience. She was responsible for the delivery of the CIPFA Financial Management Code and is an advocate of strong financial management and good governance. She is a national speaker and author of numerous publications on topics such as government funding, housing and financial sustainability.  Through her work with CFOs across the country she supports local government improvement and reform using data analysis and strong evidence-based… Show More

All Speakers Kirsty Wark Speaker, award-winning journalist and presenter Kirsty Wark is one of the UK’s trailblazing female news journalists. She presented BBC’s Newsnight for 30 years, stepping down after the 2024 General Election. Her long career on Newsnight has seen her holding politicians and public figures to account with her formidable interviewing skills. She made her reputation as a journalist and producer on BBC Scotland, memorably reporting from the scene of the Lockerbie bombing, before joining BBC 2’s arts strand The Late Show as a presenter, moving on to Newsnight in 1993. Kirsty continued to span both arts and news/current affairs, hosting The Review Show for over a decade, as well as a range of BBC Arts series and documentaries. Over the years she has had memorable encounters with everyone from Margaret Thatcher to Madonna, Harold Pinter to Pete Doherty, Damian Hirst to George Clooney and the likes of Toni Morrison, Donna Tartt and Philip Roth. Kirsty hosts Radio 4’s long-running flagship series The Reunion, and regularly presents of Start the Week. She continues to present arts programmes on TV and Radio, cultural history series such as The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland and Panorama specials. Kirsty has won several major awards for her work including BAFTA Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting, Journalist of the Year and Best Television Presenter. In 2024 she was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the RTS Journalism Awards. Thursday 16 October 2025 11:35–12:15 Equity and Purpose – Progress, Possibility and the Path Ahead Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session Thursday 16 October 2025 12:15–13:15 International Perspective Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

John Amaechi OBEOrganisational Psychologist < Speakers < Previous Next > John Amaechi OBE Organisational Psychologist Founder of APS Intelligence There are many things to tell you about John. There’s all the usual bio stuff: Professor John Amaechi OBE is a respected organisational psychologist, and the Leadership Transformation Expert at APS Intelligence LTD, the consultancy he founded in 2006. At APS Intelligence, John and his team of specialists' partner with businesses to build bespoke programmes focused on executive coaching and behavioural change that help create effective leaders and authentic and ethical cultures. This is what John believes leads to sustainable… Show More

Showcase Zone 13:15–13:25 Brighton and Hove: Transforming into a Learning Organisation Rewiring the State Jess Gibbons, Chief Executive, Brighton and Hove City Council Read More Lindsey Pearce, Head of Learning, Inclusion and Organisational Development, Brighton and Hove City Council Read More Previous This session will provide a clear overview of how our Learning Organisation pillars are being embedded into the way we work, shaping leadership behaviours, decision‑making and organisational culture across the council. Our five pillars act as practical design principles rather than abstract values. From this foundation, the session will then dive in depth into two priority areas where this approach has delivered the strongest and most tangible impact: Turbocharging digital delivery, by creating a test‑and‑learn culture that builds confidence, pace and smarter risk‑taking. Embedding equality, inclusion and cohesion as everyday leadership and organisational behaviours, rather than standalone initiatives or policies. The session is intentionally bold and mixed‑format, combining senior‑led vision, lived organisational experience and rapid practical application. It prioritises honest learning, including what has worked, what hasn’t, and what we would do differently, and shows how learning has been applied selectively to where it matters most, rather than trying to change everything at once. Next

Susan ParsonageDeputy Spokesperson for Children and Families < Speakers < Previous Next > Susan Parsonage Deputy Spokesperson for Children and Families Chief Executive, Wokingham Borough Council Susan Parsonage has been Chief Executive for Wokingham Borough Council since April 2019 and has been driving the vision, ambition and strategic direction – also putting residents at the heart of the organisation. In the past years as well as leading and enabling a fantastic and innovative response by staff to COVID and there’s been significant improvements in social care for adults and children, and a positive step change in our relationship with the voluntary and community sectors. Also a… Show More

Simon Lewis MBEHead of Resilience < Speakers < Previous Next > Simon Lewis MBE Head of Resilience National Emergencies Trust With a background in Crisis Management, Emergency Planning, and Security Coordination, Simon has held key roles at the British Red Cross and the Metropolitan Police Service, and now as Head of Resilience at the National Emergencies Trust. His expertise includes emergency panning for the London 2012 Olympic Games, leading responses to major incidents such as the London terrorist attacks, and various crises including the Grenfell Tower Fire and the COVID-19 pandemic. Simon's dedication and leadership have been recognised through awards like the MBE and… Show More

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

Kevin Sinfield CBEFormer Leeds Rhinos and England Rugby League Captain < Speakers < Previous Next > Kevin Sinfield CBE Former Leeds Rhinos and England Rugby League Captain Former captain of the Rhinos, Kevin Sinfield became the leading points scorer in the club’s history in 2012, leading the team to seven Championships. In 2004 he led the side to their first Grand Final victory and the first league title in 32 years. In 2005, he then lifted the World title. He was also recognised for his achievements by becoming the fourth Englishman ever to win the prestigious Rugby League Golden Boot. Fittingly in his 521st and final game for… Show More

Jon McGintyDeputy at Solace, Managing Director, Gloucester City Council & Digital Leadership < Speakers < Previous Next > Jon McGinty Deputy at Solace, Managing Director, Gloucester City Council & Digital Leadership Gloucester City Council I am currently Managing Director at Gloucester City Council and have been in this role since 2015. Before this year, I was jointly employed in this role and as an Executive Director at Gloucestershire County Council, an interesting role designed to improve collaborative working between two tiers of local government. I am also a trustee of Active Gloucestershire (the County Sports and Active Partnership). Prior to this, I was deputy chief executive at Aylesbury Vale District Council, responsible for all… Show More

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