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All Speakers Kate Joseph CB Chief Executive, Sheffield City Council Kate Josephs CB joined Sheffield City Council as Chief Executive in January 2021, having spent 20 years as a senior leader in national government in the UK and United States. Since arriving in Sheffield Kate has overseen the creation of ambitious, outcome focussed plans to guide the city’s recovery from COVID, respond to the cost-of-living crisis and drive the city’s long-term prosperity, enabling the people of Sheffield to achieve their potential and aiming to be a global leader in the climate transition. Kate has initiated a wide-ranging programme of self-reflection and culture change in the Council; and partnered with leaders across the city to support an innovative project to reimagine Sheffield’s future, engaging a diverse range of citizens. As Chief Executive she leads a diverse organisation of over 8000 staff, delivering critical services for our city and supporting the cross-party political administration to deliver on their priorities. Kate is the Chief Executive Chair of Core Cities UK and co-chair of the advisory board for 3Ci, The UK Cities Commission for Climate Investment. Kate is a trustee of the Resolution Foundation, the independent national think-tank focused on improving living standards for those on low to middle incomes. Kate’s career as a senior leader in the UK civil service included positions in HM Treasury; the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit; and the Department for Education (DfE).  Kate joined Sheffield from the Number 10 / Cabinet Office COVID 19 Taskforce where she was Director General; in June 2021 she was awarded Companion status, The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, in HM the Queen’s birthday honours in recognition of exemplary public service during her civil service career. Kate also spent time living in Washington D.C. working for the US Federal Government during the Obama Administration, including as Executive Director of the White House Performance Improvement Council, working across US Government Agencies – on priorities from veterans’ affairs to STEM education – with a mission to advance and expand the practice of performance analytics and improvement. Kate grew up in and went to comprehensive school in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, was educated at Oxford University and the London School of Economics & Political Science, and lives in Sheffield with her husband and two children.

Dr Fran LongstaffHead of Psychology < Speakers < Previous Next > Dr Fran Longstaff Head of Psychology Fika Dr Fran Longstaff is Head of Psychology at Fika. She is a chartered Psychologist and registered Sport Psychologist. Prior to Fika, Fran worked in academia for 17 years, published in a range of journals and provided psychological support to teams, coaches and athletes in a range of high-performance environments. Fran is passionate about sharing her knowledge of performance psychology with workplace teams and individuals, so that they can be at their best more of the time.

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 Dr Peter O’Brien Executive Director, Yorkshire Universities Peter leads the Yorkshire Universities’ (YU) Executive Team, and he is the Company Secretary for the Limited Company and Charity. With over two decades’ experience, as a practitioner and academic, Peter has driven YU’s increasing and influential policy engagement activity, including YU’s strategic relationships with local government and combined authorities in Yorkshire. He has worked extensively at a senior level across the north of England and published widely on research relating to local and regional development. He represents YU and the higher education sector on many high-level national and regional groups. Peter is a Commissioner on the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, and a member of the Universities UK Civic and Local Growth Network Steering Group. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45–16:25 Public Collaborations: What are they for? Who does all the work? How long do they last? And who really benefits? Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Asim AliVice-President of Sales < Speakers < Previous Next > Asim Ali Vice-President of Sales Granicus For almost 25 years, Asim has worked closely with Public Sector organisations, helping them use digital tools, technology, and consultancy to gain better outcomes for their customers, whilst creating significant internal efficiencies and cost-savings. Over the last decade, UK public sector bodies, have been under tremendous pressure to continue to provide services to their communities whilst having to make huge cuts to their budgets. Over 450 public sector agencies have turned to Granicus to help them to reach and… Show More

Gordon WilmottHead of Market for Public Services < Speakers < Previous Next > Gordon Wilmott Head of Market for Public Services Zurich Municipal Gordon Wilmott is Head of Market for Public Services at Zurich Municipal, where he leads the division in meeting the needs of its customers – local authorities from small parish councils to counties and everything in between. Providing tailored risk management and insurance solutions to support clients in maximising their impact and delivering for their communities. Gordon has also lead the division supporting the Third Sector in his time with Zurich Municipal. Prior to his roles in ZM, Gordons career… Show More

Previous Next Mark Lloyd CBE Executive Director, IMPOWER; Non-Executive Director HMPPS Mark Lloyd spent a decade as the Chief Executive of two councils before representing councils nationally for eight years as the Chief Executive of the Local Government Association. Mark is currently the executive director of IMPOWER. He is also a non-executive director of the HM Prison and Probation Service and a non-executive member of the UK Health Security Agency. He is a patron of the Whitehall & Industry Group and a member of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives. Mark was awarded a CBE for his services to local government and charity. 15:30–16:30 North East Breakout: Transition vs. Transformation: What Successful Organisations do Differently Breakout View Session Speakers: Nick Kennell (Chair), Partner, Gate One Kath O’Dwyer , Solace Group Board Chair, Former Chief Exec of St. Helens Council Mark Lloyd CBE , Executive Director, IMPOWER; Non-Executive Director HMPPS Kathryn Rees , Executive Director, Corporate and Support Services, Stockport Council

All Speakers Tracey Anderson Head of Scrutiny and Ward Forums, London Borough of Hackney Tracey has built a diverse career spanning both the public and private sectors, with experience in financial services, council governance and scrutiny. As Head of Scrutiny and Ward Forums in Hackney, she has dedicated nearly two decades to governance and scrutiny. In her role as the statutory scrutiny officer, Tracey oversees the council’s Overview and Scrutiny function, leading a well-regarded scrutiny team that collaborates with councillors, officers, partners and residents to develop and implement a comprehensive scrutiny work programme. Her leadership has shaped council and partner organisation policies, strategies, and service improvements while navigating complex and contentious issues. Her team has been recognised as a leading example of championing a more inclusive approach to governance and strengthening democratic accountability in local public services. Tracey has also played a key role in developing ward-level community engagement for councillors. Under her strategic leadership, ward forums have strengthened councillors’ community leadership roles, fostered stronger connections between elected representatives and their ward communities, and facilitated community action at a local level. Her work has brought local decision-making to the heart of the community, developing strong networks of local partners, organisations and residents and providing a platform for local engagement and conversation. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Future-Ready Councils: If we can share a problem, we can share a solution Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Go to session

Hal KhanomHead of Strategy and Community Participation < Speakers < Previous Next > Hal Khanom Head of Strategy and Community Participation London Borough of Barnet Hal is a strategist and service designer who works alongside communities to develop new solutions to increasingly complex challenges. She rethinks systems, the ways we work and how we relate to the place around us, to support democratic renewal and greater fairness. Translating ideas into delivery, she has lead work at neighbourhood level that creates the conditions for inclusive economies; leading socioeconomic projects and programmes in inner and outer London in local government, and across the most disadvantaged areas in… Show More

Dwayne JohnsonExternal Advisor < Speakers < Previous Next > Dwayne Johnson External Advisor ICS.AI Dwayne Johnson has a 40-year career in Local Government serving as an Executive Director for 15 years before becoming a Chief Executive for 4 years. Dwayne now leads a Consultancy focused on Local Government and AI. He has significant experience working within Political environments and has given evidence at All-Party Committees at Westminster as well as visiting Downing Street to describe how one Council he worked for managed to transform its services and received plaudits from Regulators. His experience in… Show More

Shokat LalChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Shokat Lal Chief Executive Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Shokat is currently the Chief Executive at Sandwell Council and was appointed at a time when Sandwell had commissioners in and was part of a governance intervention. In early 2024 Sandwell had the statutory directions lifted and the under Secretary for State Simon Hoare MP said there had been ‘a significant step change in the way in which the council has ordered and organised itself and its approach to governance’. Shokat has 35 years experience in local government and in… Show More

Our dedicated site for Solace's flagship event for local government & public sector professionals, the Solace Summit. The Future of Local Government Starts at Solace Summit 21–22 October, 2026 Liverpool Experience Campus The Solace Summit 2026 heads to Liverpool for an unmissable gathering of local government leaders. Join us to explore fresh ideas, ambitious strategies, and the powerful connections shaping the future of public service. Buy Tickets What is the Solace Summit? Better leadership starts here. Hosted by Solace, the Summit brings together people across local government — from emerging talent to experienced executives — to share insight, shape ideas, and drive change. Across two days of thought-provoking sessions, powerful connections, and practical content, the Summit is your space to reflect, recharge, and reimagine the future of public service. 2026 FEATURES 2 DAYS OF LEARNING, 55+ SPEAKERS AND SO MUCH MORE. Meet The Speakers Hear from experienced leaders who bring real insight and fresh thinking from across the sector. Our speakers are respected experts, known for their practical knowledge, honest perspectives, and thoughtful ideas. View All Speakers Georgia Turner Solace Associate Claire Trickett Workforce and Organisational Development Consultant, Blackburn with Darwen Council Sue Featherstone Solace Associate and Director, Developing Success Ian Bancroft Solace Associate Jess Gibbons Chief Executive, Brighton and Hove City Council Chris Wales Director of Digital Innovation, Brighton and Hove City Council Lindsey Pearce Head of Learning, Inclusion and Organisational Development, Brighton and Hove City Council Victoria Derbyshire Journalist and BBC Topical News Presenter 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 9 PEOPLE THEME 1: Local government is, at its heart, a people business. This theme explores how we lead with empathy, empower communities, and invest in the workforce of the future — asking what it means to put people first in a system under strain, and how we build cultures of care, trust, and accountability. PARTNERS We’re grateful to our partners for their continued support. Their contribution plays a key role in making this event a success and strengthening the work we do with communities across the country. View All Partners 1 2 1 ... 1 2 ... 2 LIVERPOOL 2026 Don't miss the future of local government.