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 ACC Liverpool 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. 2025 FEATURED 2 DAYS OF LEARNING, 35+ SPEAKERS AND SO MUCH MORE. Meet The Speakers of 2025 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 Robin Tuddenham President of Solace and Chief Executive, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Liz McQue Facilitator & Solace Associate Ed Whiting OBE Chief Executive, Leeds City Council Chris Naylor Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Nazeya Hussain Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Kirsty Wark Speaker, award-winning journalist and 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.

FAQ page for the Solace Summit conference; an event designed for local government and public sector professionals. Help Centre Whether you're getting ready for the Solace Summit or need support during the event, this is your go-to spot for answers. From travel and timings to session access and venue details, we’ve gathered the most common questions and key resources to help you have a smooth, stress-free experience. Need more help? Call us on 0207 233 0081 or email events@solace.org.uk and we’ll be happy to assist. Frequently asked questions Miscellaneous Venue Information Refunds & Transfers Programme Evening Events Special Assistance Dietary Requirements Travel Partnership Accommodation & Parking Exhibitors Will you be filming or photographing the Summit? Please be advised that filming and/or photography will be taking place for the duration of the Solace Summit. Solace reserves the right to photograph and video any or all aspects of its events for training and/or promotional purposes, including event attendees, without the expressed written permission of persons who may be included in such photograph or video by virtue of their attendance. Solace may use any event photograph or video in full or in edited version in publications or other media materials produced, including but not limited to brochures, magazines, newspapers, websites and social media. If any event attendee does not wish for us to use their image or likeness, they should inform us by emailing, events@solace.org.uk (mailto:events@solace.org.uk)and include the following information: • Email subject: Use of personal image   • Event title • Event date • Event location In signing up for this event I understand that it is my responsibility to email Solace and advise in writing if I do not wish my likeness or image collected at this event to be used as indicated.

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Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Hall B, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Life Safety First: Turning Risk into Assurance Speaker/s Lee Goodenough, Executive Director, Harmony Fire Lord Gary Porter, Political Leader and National Voice on Housing Safety Kevin Bolt MBA, Managing Director, Step-Change Management Eleanor Kelly, Former Chief Executive Session Outline and Objectives How do you save £20 million and shave six years off your building safety programme—without cutting corners? That’s exactly what Edinburgh Council achieved using the Life Safety First Framework : a board-level toolkit that turns unknown risk into full assurance, with resident safety at its core. In a post-Grenfell world, regulators, residents, and boards are demanding answers. Downgrades, budget chaos, and blind compliance are leaving councils exposed. And while AI and smart tech promise breakthroughs, without a solid safety framework they can create more confusion than clarity. This high-energy panel brings together: Lee Goodenough , CRO, who shaped the framework now transforming safety across the UK. Lord Gary Porter , political leader and national voice on housing safety. Takeaways A proven roadmap – how downgraded councils can restore credibility and regulatory confidence. Smarter investment – the £20m/6-year lesson: spending the right money on the right risks. Future-ready safety – why AI and smart tech only work when built on a strong, accurate analytical base. Come curious, leave equipped : this is not another policy talk—it’s a practical, regulator-aligned framework that could transform your council’s safety strategy, balance sheet, and reputation. Delivered by

Session Proposal Solace Summit brings together local government leaders to share ideas, explore policy and showcase practical innovation. We invite members and partners to propose sessions that highlight replicable initiatives that have improved outcomes, increased efficiency or reduced costs. Sessions (30–75 minutes) may be delivered as roundtables, workshops or keynote presentations. Complete the form below to submit your proposal. For queries, contact events@solace.org.uk . Commercial partner involvement may incur a fee.

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08:30–10:15 Summit Delegates: Optional Pre-Conference Walking Study Tours Leeds South Bank Regeneration City Square Regeneration, Culture and Public Art City Square 2025 Programme Day One Day Two 09:15–09:30 Springboard Registration Spring and Summer 25/26 cohorts only Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries 09:30–10:30 Springboard Session Spring and Summer 25/26 cohorts only Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Facilitator: Liz McQue , Solace Associate Guest Speaker: Robin Tuddenham , Solace President and Chief Executive at Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 09:15–09:45 New to Summit? First Time Delegates Welcome and Registration Foyer, New Dock Hall 10:00–11:00 Registration All Delegates Foyer, New Dock Hall 10:00–11:00 Exhibition and Refreshments Exhibition, New Dock Hall 11:00–13:15 Featured Compère and Chair: Kirsty Wark Speaker, award-winning journalist and presenter Kirsty Wark will be leading the following sessions. Exhibition, New Dock Hall 11:05–11:15 Welcome from Leeds City Council Main Stage, New Dock Hall Guest Speaker: Ed Whiting , Chief Executive of Leeds City Council 11:15–11:25 Solace President's Opening Speech Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speaker: Robin Tuddenham , Solace President & Chief Executive at Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 11:25–11:35 Keynote: Finding Home in Halifax: Stela’s Story Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speaker: Stela, service user at St Augustine’s Centre, Halifax 11:35–12:15 Equity and Purpose – Progress, Possibility, and the Path Ahead Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speakers: Chris Naylor, Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Nazeya Hussain , Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 12:15–13:15 International Perspective Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speakers: Mike Land , President Elect, International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Brenda Orchard , President of CAMA and Chief Administrative Officer, Lennox and Addington County Craig Swift-McNair, General Manager, Woollahra Council, Sydney, Australia 13:15–14:15 Exhibition and Lunch Exhibition, New Dock Hall 14:15–14:55 Sub-Plenary A: Local Power, National Plan: Delivering the 10-Year Health Strategy This session will be held under Chatham House Rule. Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Chair: John Clarke , Head of Client Solution – Healthcare, Netcall Speakers: Tom Stannard , Chief Executive, Manchester City Council and Solace Policy Lead for Health and Social Care Dr Owen Williams , Chief Executive, Northern Care Alliance Sub-Plenary B: 1.5 Million Homes: Ambition, Action, and Accountability This session will be held under Chatham House Rule. Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Chair: Jon Rouse CBE , Chief Executive, Stoke on Trent City Council and Solace Policy Lead for Housing, Planning & Infrastructure Speaker: Joanna Key , Director General, Regeneration, Housing and Planning, MHCLG 15:00–15:40 Roundtable 1A: Investing in Place to Build Financial Resilience Aire Suite, Royal Armouries Roundtable 1B: Shaping Communities – How Leaders Unlock Social and Economic Value Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Workshop 1A: Amplify – Future Ready Councils: If We Can Share a Problem, We Can Share a Solution Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Workshop 1B: Navigating Local Government Reform: Lessons from the Digital Frontline of Devolution Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Workshop 1C: Cross-party Working Against a Backdrop of No Overall Control Royal Armouries Hall A, Royal Armouries Workshop 1D: Life Safety First: Turning Risk into Assurance Royal Armouries Hall B, Royal Armouries 15:45–16:25 Workshop 2A: The Leader’s Mirror: Defining the Legacy You Leave Behind Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Workshop 2B: Public Collaborations: What Are They For? Who Does All the Work? How Long Do They Last? And Who Really Benefits? Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Workshop 2C: Leading with Purpose: Exploring the Nexus of Strategy and Leadership in Local Government Royal Armouries Hall A, Royal Armouries Workshop 2D: Delivering Together: How Local Authorities and Strategic Authorities Are Jointly Driving Place-Based Transformational Growth Royal Armouries Hall B, Royal Armouries Roundtable 2A : Local Government Reorganisation: Practical Advice and Support Aire Suite, Royal Armouries Roundtable 2B: The Silent Stakeholder: Why Residents Deserve a Seat at the LGR Table Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Roundtable 2C: Test, Learn and Grow: How Do We Build a Movement? Hotot Suite, Royal Armouries Main Stage, New Dock Hall Speaker: Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL , British Author and Broadcaster 16:30–17:30 Keynote: Empowering the Vulnerable: Lemn Sissay’s Journey of Advocacy and Change 17:30–18:15 Drinks Reception Exhibition, New Dock Hall Kindly sponsored by Transform. 18:15 Day One Close Exhibition, New Dock Hall 19:15–20:00 Presidential Drinks Reception Asia and Africa Gallery, Royal Armouries Kindly sponsored by Zellis. 20:00–00:00 Summit Charity Dinner Royal Armouries Hall, Royal Armouries Proudly supporting YoungMinds and St. Augustine's Centre. Please give generously . Dinner drinks kindly sponsored by Newtrality.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Exhibition, New Dock Hall 17:30–18:15 Drinks Reception Kindly Sponsored by

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 16:30–17:30 Keynote Empowering the Vulnerable: Lemn Sissay's Journey of Advocacy and Change Speaker/s Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL, Playwright, memoirist, performer and broadcaster Join Lemn Sissay, acclaimed poet and tireless advocate, as he delves into his transformative journey from a child in the care system to a powerful voice for change. In this keynote, Lemn will share his personal experiences with local authorities and the profound impact these experiences had on his life. He will discuss his dedicated advocacy work, aimed at empowering vulnerable children and driving systemic reform. Through his compelling narrative, Lemn will inspire attendees to recognise the importance of supporting and uplifting those in care, and to join him in his mission to create a more just and compassionate system.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Barton Suite, Royal Armouries 15:45-16:25 Roundtable The Silent Stakeholder: Why Residents Deserve a Seat at the LGR Table Speaker/s Asim Ali, VP of UK Sales, Granicus Jonathan Bradley, Senior Experience Partner, Granicus As Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) continues to reshape the public sector landscape, many conversations understandably focus on governance, efficiency, and cost-saving. But what about the people these changes are ultimately meant to serve? This roundtable explores LGR through a different lens—that of the resident. While councils are working hard to manage complex transitions, there remains a widespread challenge: many residents are unclear about what LGR means, how it affects them, or even who their new council will be. This isn’t a failure of intent—it’s a call to strengthen communication and engagement strategies. As councils grow in size and scope, the need to segment audiences and deliver timely, relevant, and accessible information becomes more critical than ever. In this session, we’ll explore: Why resident understanding and engagement must be central to any successful LGR strategy. How to ensure residents feel informed, included, and supported throughout the LGR process. The role of digital engagement and human-centred design in building trust and clarity. Practical strategies for delivering the right message to the right people at the right time. How councils can balance internal transformation with external transparency. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on how to make LGR not just a structural success—but a human one. Together, we’ll explore how councils can continue to lead with empathy, clarity, and purpose. Delivered by

Day One Day Two Previous Next Friday 17 October 20225 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 12:50–13:00 President's Closing Speech Speaker/s Robin Tuddenham, President of Solace and Chief Executive, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council