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Previous Next Susanne Millar Chief Executive, Glasgow City Council, Scotland Susanne Millar became Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council since May 2024, after more than 30 years working for the city. She was previously Chief Officer of Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership, having spent her earlier career working in social work and social care services in the city – starting in residential care for older people, then working with vulnerable children and families. After holding strategy and planning roles, she became the Head of Children’s Services and Head of Homelessness and Asylum Services. In 2012, Susanne became Assistant Director of Social Work Services in Glasgow, then Chief Officer for Planning, Strategy & Commissioning for the newly-formed Glasgow City HSCP. From 2019, Susanne led a team of more than 12,000 people as Chief Officer. 10:00–11:00 Main Plenary Beyond Barriers: Authentic Women’s Leadership in Local Government Panel Session View Session Women across local government are challenging long standing norms, reshaping organisational cultures, and redefining what leadership looks like. This panel brings together three senior female leaders to explore both the systemic barriers that still shape career progression and the powerful role authenticity plays in overcoming them. Through candid reflections on navigating political challenge, leading through complexity, and building confidence in spaces not designed with them in mind, panellists will share practical strategies and personal insights. The session will examine how allyship, inclusive cultures, and values driven leadership can create genuinely equitable pathways - and what it will take to ensure more women can lead boldly and authentically across the sector.

Previous Next Alison Barker Chief Executive, North Lincolnshire Council & Deputy Policy Lead for Health & Social Care Alison Barker is a seasoned leader in health, social care and local government, recognised for her expertise in safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusive service transformation. She has worked across Health and Local Government since 1990, with a professional background in social work. Alison champions resident-centred approaches, evidence-based decision-making and collaborative partnerships. Her diverse experience spans strategic leadership, multi-agency working and sector-led improvement, including pioneering strengths-based models and delivering major transformation programmes. Alison’s commitment to integrated community support and quality assurance makes her a trusted adviser and peer in driving positive change across the sector. 14:00–15:00 Main Stage The Future of Health and Care: Reform, Partnership and Place Sub Plenary View Session Speakers: Alison Barker, Chief Executive of North Lincolnshire Council and Solace Deputy Policy Lead for Health and Social Care Ben Dyson, Director for Adult Social Care Strategy, Funding & Integrated Care at DHSC Sam Allen CBE, Chief Executive of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board

Previous Next Madaline Hoskin Chief Technology Officer, North Yorkshire Council Madeline, CTO at North Yorkshire Council and Local Government Advisor to the Government Digital Service, is a senior local government technology leader with extensive experience leading large scale organisational change and system transformation. She has worked at the centre of local government reorganisation, delivering complex programmes while building high performing, people focused digital and technology services. Her leadership is grounded in real operational experience, navigating sustained pressure, demand growth, and transformation at scale. She is known for her pragmatic, plain spoken approach, and her focus on how leadership behaviours shape organisational culture, particularly in environments where “always on” working has become the norm. 11:30–12:30 North East Breakout: What Should We Stop Doing - Sustainable Leadership in Unrelenting Times Breakout View Session Speaker: Madeline Hoskins, CTO, North Yorkshire Council and Local Government Advisor to the Government Digital Service

Previous Next Kath O'Dwyer Solace Group Board Chair Kath has 42 years local government service with 8 years’ experience as a Local Authority Chief Executive, in two different local authorities. Kath has been the Solace Board Chair since October 2024, and also chairs the Solace Commission on Professional Standards and Ethics. Since her ‘retirement’ from her Chief Executive role last year, she now has a ‘portfolio career’ and acts as an advisor and consultant to the sector, including roles as Independent Chair for Improvement Boards; Technical Assessments for Chief Executive recruitment; Executive Coaching; work with the LGA in relation to Peer Reviews and development work with elected members. 10:00–11:00 Main Plenary Beyond Barriers: Authentic Women’s Leadership in Local Government Panel Session View Session Women across local government are challenging long standing norms, reshaping organisational cultures, and redefining what leadership looks like. This panel brings together three senior female leaders to explore both the systemic barriers that still shape career progression and the powerful role authenticity plays in overcoming them. Through candid reflections on navigating political challenge, leading through complexity, and building confidence in spaces not designed with them in mind, panellists will share practical strategies and personal insights. The session will examine how allyship, inclusive cultures, and values driven leadership can create genuinely equitable pathways - and what it will take to ensure more women can lead boldly and authentically across the sector.

Previous Next Jonathan Stephenson Joint Chief Executive, Brentwood Borough Council & Rochford District Council Jonathan has over 30 years of experience in local government, predominantly in senior leadership roles across Ipswich Borough Council, the London Borough of Enfield, Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils, and Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council. He is currently Joint Chief Executive of Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council, a unique national local government partnership. Jonathan also holds several national positions. He is a Non-Executive Director on the Solace (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers) Board; Chair of the LCN (Local Council Network, previously the DCN) national Chief Executive Group; a Board Member of Socitm (Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation); an Ambassador for the Tech UK Local Public Services Committee; and Founder and Chair of the Public Sector Challenge, which has raised over £400,000 for charity since 2022 while supporting health and wellbeing across the sector. 15:30–16:30 Main Plenary Breakout: Past Safe & Legal to Real Transitional Benefits Breakout View Session Speakers: Jonathan Stephenson, Chief Executive, Brentwood & Rochford Councils Greg Campbell, Strategic Director, Brentwood & Rochford Councils Paul Brace, Interim Director of Community and Health, Brentwood & Rochford Councils

Previous Next Paul Brace Director of Communities and Health, at Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Paul is a senior local government leader with extensive experience in community services, public health, environmental improvement and partnership working. He currently serves as Director of Communities and Health for Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council, leading services that support safer, healthier and more resilient communities across both authorities. In his role, Paul provides strategic leadership across a broad range of community-focused services and programmes, working closely with elected Members, senior officers, partners and local stakeholders to improve outcomes for residents. His work includes community safety, health and wellbeing, anti-social behaviour initiatives, safeguarding, policy development and public engagement. Paul is committed to delivering practical improvements that make a tangible difference to local communities. He has led initiatives aimed at strengthening community safety, securing investment in local projects and supporting collaborative working with partners across the public, voluntary and health sectors. His leadership focuses on ensuring services remain responsive, effective and centred on the needs of residents. Known for his collaborative and pragmatic approach, Paul works across organisational boundaries to develop solutions to complex challenges and deliver positive change. He is passionate about building strong partnerships, supporting community resilience and ensuring councils continue to provide high-quality services that improve the wellbeing of local people. As a member of the senior leadership team, Paul plays an important role in corporate governance, performance oversight and strategic planning, helping to shape the future direction of services across both councils while maintaining a strong focus on residents and communities. 15:30–16:30 Main Plenary Breakout: Past Safe & Legal to Real Transitional Benefits Breakout View Session Speakers: Jonathan Stephenson, Chief Executive, Brentwood & Rochford Councils Greg Campbell, Strategic Director, Brentwood & Rochford Councils Paul Brace, Interim Director of Community and Health, Brentwood & Rochford Councils

Previous Next Robin Tuddenham Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Robin has been Chief Executive at Calderdale Council, in West Yorkshire, since June 2017 and Calderdale's Place Lead for West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board  since July 2022. He is responsible for leading both the Council's and ICB's workforce, supporting system leadership across the area in support of Calderdale Vision 2034, and overseeing a major regeneration programme across the borough's market towns. Robin is the current President of Solace (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) after being lead spokesperson for Solace for Economic Prosperity from 2020-24. Robin was previously Director of Communities and Business Change for Calderdale, leading the redevelopment of the multi-award-winning restoration of the Piece Hall and new Central Library in Halifax. Prior to that, he worked in local government, the Probation Service and the voluntary sector in East London. Robin is a Fellow of the Centre of Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge, is a life Member of the Faculty of Public Health, a Non-Executive Director of the Northern Housing Consortium and a Trustee of Belong. 10:40–10:55 Main Stage President's Opening Speech Presidential Address View Session Speakers: Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 19:15–20:00 Rum Warehouse Presidential Drinks Reception Networking View Session Speakers: Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 14:30–14:45 Main Plenary President's Closing Speech Keynote View Session More information to follow.

Previous Next Greg Campbell Strategic Director, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Greg is an accomplished leader with more than 15 years’ experience operating at senior and strategic leadership level across a broad range of council services, transformation programmes and corporate functions. He currently serves as Strategic Director for Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council, where he provides corporate leadership across legal services, human resources, democratic services, communications, policy, performance, transformation, engagement, and programmes and projects. Greg is known for his collaborative leadership style, his passion for improvement and his ability to bring people together to achieve ambitious goals. He is committed to developing high-performing organisations, supporting staff development and ensuring councils are well positioned to meet future challenges while continuing to deliver excellent services for residents and communities. 15:30–16:30 Main Plenary Breakout: Past Safe & Legal to Real Transitional Benefits Breakout View Session Speakers: Jonathan Stephenson, Chief Executive, Brentwood & Rochford Councils Greg Campbell, Strategic Director, Brentwood & Rochford Councils Paul Brace, Interim Director of Community and Health, Brentwood & Rochford Councils

Previous Next Alison McCullagh Chief Executive, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Northern Ireland Alison McCullagh took up post as Chief Executive of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on 1 February 2020; from December 2014, she had been the Council’s Director of Regeneration and Planning. Prior to this, Alison had been Omagh District Council’s Head of Development, she has also worked in higher education and in the voluntary and community sector. She is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia, and also studied at Boston College. Alison has led a number of strategic capital and partnership projects within the Council district and on a cross border basis and has a particular interest in community led regeneration and wider place shaping initiatives. She was Vice Chair of Solace NI June 2024-2026 and is currently Solace NI Chair for June 2026-2028. Alison is also the current Co-Chair of the Northern Ireland Emergency Preparedness Group (NIEPG). 10:00–11:00 Main Plenary Beyond Barriers: Authentic Women’s Leadership in Local Government Panel Session View Session Women across local government are challenging long standing norms, reshaping organisational cultures, and redefining what leadership looks like. This panel brings together three senior female leaders to explore both the systemic barriers that still shape career progression and the powerful role authenticity plays in overcoming them. Through candid reflections on navigating political challenge, leading through complexity, and building confidence in spaces not designed with them in mind, panellists will share practical strategies and personal insights. The session will examine how allyship, inclusive cultures, and values driven leadership can create genuinely equitable pathways - and what it will take to ensure more women can lead boldly and authentically across the sector.

Previous Next Emma Palmer Chief Execuive, Powys County Council, Wales Emma Palmer is the Chief Executive of Powys County Council, providing strategic leadership across one of the largest and most complex rural authorities in Wales. Emma joined the council in 1999 and has built her career from the ground up. She spent over 20 years in Social Services, developing a deep understanding of frontline delivery, safeguarding and system leadership, before moving into senior corporate roles across Education, Housing, Transport, Strategy, Performance and Transformation. Her career progression reflects both depth and breadth. Emma has held a range of senior leadership posts including Head of Strategic Policy and Performance, Head of Transformation and Communications, and Head of Strategy, Performance and Transformation Programmes, before progressing to Corporate Director and, ultimately, Chief Executive. Emma is recognised for her focus on outcomes, governance and improvement, particularly in challenging regulatory and financial environments. She has led major transformation programmes, strengthened performance discipline, and worked closely with elected members, regulators and national partners to drive improvement and restore organisational confidence. Alongside her public service career, Emma is a working mum and a business partner in successful rural enterprises, including CCM Agri & Livery and CCM Valais Blacknose. Balancing senior leadership with family life and business responsibilities has shaped her approach to leadership; pragmatic, values‑led and grounded in real‑world decision‑making. Emma is a strong advocate of coaching and mentoring, is particularly interested in helping aspiring leaders navigate the transition from functional expertise to system leadership, manage complexity, and lead with clarity under pressure. Emma brings a practical perspective to mentoring. She believes leadership is learned through experience, reflection and honest conversation, not theory alone. Her focus is on helping future leaders lead well, act with integrity, and deliver tangible improvement for the communities they serve. 10:00–11:00 Main Plenary Beyond Barriers: Authentic Women’s Leadership in Local Government Panel Session View Session Women across local government are challenging long standing norms, reshaping organisational cultures, and redefining what leadership looks like. This panel brings together three senior female leaders to explore both the systemic barriers that still shape career progression and the powerful role authenticity plays in overcoming them. Through candid reflections on navigating political challenge, leading through complexity, and building confidence in spaces not designed with them in mind, panellists will share practical strategies and personal insights. The session will examine how allyship, inclusive cultures, and values driven leadership can create genuinely equitable pathways - and what it will take to ensure more women can lead boldly and authentically across the sector.

Presidential Address 10:40–10:55 President's Opening Speech Main Stage Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Read More Previous More information to follow. Next

Support Session 10:10–10:20 Support Session 2: Coming Soon Solace LGR Support Previous Next