Ruth du PlessisDirector of Public Health < Speakers < Previous Next > Ruth du Plessis Director of Public Health St Helens Borough Council Ruth has worked at St Helens Borough Council since 2019 and became Director of Public Health in April 2021. Her background is nursing and health visiting. She also spent a few years in South Africa where she provided palliative care to HIV and AIDs patients in a poor, rural community. After returning to the UK, Ruth studied for a Masters in Applied Public Health and worked in several roles across the north of England before joining St Helens Borough Council… Show More

Ian Bancroft Chief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Ian Bancroft Chief Executive Wrexham Council Ian took up his post as Chief Executive of Wrexham Council in August 2018. For the previous fourteen years he worked at a senior leadership level within large public service organisations in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and North East Wales. Most recently, since 2014, this has been at Flintshire County Council as a Chief Officer successfully leading the development and implementation of a number of major strategic programmes. Ian is committed to public service delivery and aims to work with partners,… Show More

< All sponsors Newtrality www.newtrality.co.uk Newtrality is a consultancy firm that focuses on complex programme and transformation delivery. We work with councils to provide practical support and challenge to some of the sector’s biggest challenges. Whether it is LGR, Devolution, complex systems change, improving service delivery or driving savings and transformation, we can be trusted to deliver.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 11:35–12:15 Equity and Purpose – Progress, Possibility and the Path Ahead Chair Kirsty Wark, Speaker, Award-Winning Journalist and Presenter Speaker/s Chris Naylor, Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Nazeya Hussain, Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion In a world where the political, social and cultural ground is shifting faster than many of us can keep pace with, this session invites senior leaders to pause and reflect on what it means to lead with equity and purpose. As global narratives become more divisive and local realities more complex, the role of local government must evolve - not just as a service provider, but as a builder of trust, connection, and democratic resilience. This conversation will not dwell on past commitments, but rather challenge us to reimagine how we show up as leaders now. How do we foster belonging when communities are increasingly polarised? How do we ensure representation isn’t just a number, but a felt experience within our organisations and the communities we serve? Join us for an unflinching, honest and necessary discussion about the responsibilities we carry, and the possibilities we must unlock, as we lead effectively through the volatility of today and into the uncertainty of tomorrow.

All Speakers Dr Owen Williams OBE Chief Executive,Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust Owen started in post as Chief Executive of the NCA FT in November 2021. Prior to this appointment, he was Chief Executive of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT), a position which he has held since 2012. In 2020 he was granted the degree of Doctor of Business Administration by the University of Huddersfield following the successful completion of his thesis which commenced 6 years previously in 2014. In the 2019 New Year’s Honours list he was awarded an OBE for service to health care across West Yorkshire and was asked to lead a National piece of work across the NHS in England with regards to reducing Health Inequalities. He was previously Vice Chair of the NHS Confederation and prior to joining the NHS he has worked across Local Government including two roles as Chief Executive at Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council and Rossendale District Borough Council. Before working in the Public Sector, he worked in commercial business including his first employment at the Yorkshire Building Society. He is passionate about reducing health inequality and ensuring that no communities - regardless of race, colour or creed - get left behind. 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

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

Jane BarrettFounding Partner < Speakers < Previous Next > Jane Barrett Founding Partner Cadence Innova Jane is the Founding Partner at Cadence Innova, and a highly accomplished and dynamic change leader and innovator, who led a multi award winning management consultancy from Inspiring Leadership, to most empowering female management consultancy, to service delivery excellence for Gender Pay Gap. With a wealth of experience in delivering rapid turn-around, clear thinking, advice and leadership, Jane engages with senior stakeholders in complex governance environments to prevent problems escalating. Jane’s experience ranges from central and local government to security… Show More

John O'HalloranDirector Business Advisory and Consultancy < Speakers < Previous Next > John O'Halloran Director Business Advisory and Consultancy CIPFA John is a highly experienced business manager and management consultant with over 30 years’ experience in both the private and public sectors, now leading CIPFA’s consultancy service. Recently John has helped shape and drive a major cost reduction UK wide programme for police sector, Achieving Finance Excellence in Policing. John has also worked for large civil service departments and every type of local authority in the UK.

Jonathan DiggesChief Investment Officer < Speakers < Previous Next > Jonathan Digges Chief Investment Officer Octopus Energy Jonathan oversees fund management investment strategy. Since joining Octopus in 2015, he has been Product Head for Octopus Inheritance Tax Service, led the Specialist Finance Investment Team and chaired the Octopus Investment Committee.

Saba HussainPrincipal Partnerships Policy & Commissioning Lead < Speakers < Previous Next > Saba Hussain Principal Partnerships Policy & Commissioning Lead Surrey County Council Saba is a dedicated and passionate local government Officer with over 20 years of experience working with partners to ensure residents live their best lives and striving to create access to opportunities for all. As well as being the front door for charities in Surrey, leading key commissions and improvements, Saba has delivered some major, sustainable, innovative, high-impact change programmes and projects including making Surrey the first county to eradicate period poverty by providing free period products to anyone who… Show More

All Speakers Diksha Vyas Head of Digital Change and Service Improvement, Bracknell Forest Council Diksha is a digital and transformation leader with over 30 years’ experience across the public and private sectors. She currently leads digital change and service improvement at Bracknell Forest Council, where she has spent over a decade delivering strategic transformation across the organisation. Diksha heads a multidisciplinary team that operates through a user-centred, agile model, embedding continuous improvement and aligning digital delivery to corporate goals. She is known for building strong, high performing teams and creating a culture that empowers people to innovate, adapt, and deliver meaningful impact. She is deeply passionate about fostering greater collaboration across the local government sector, sharing insight, solving problems collectively, and strengthening sector wide capacity. A current participant in the Solace AMPlify programme, Diksha champions inclusive, values led leadership and looks forward to exploring the power of cross council collaboration during her session at the Solace Summit. 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

Stand TBC < Back Civica www.civica.com As a trusted leader in GovTech, Civica works in partnership with public service organisations to deliver the essential services that keep communities running. For more than 30 years, we’ve supported the UK public sector with innovative technology that saves money, boosts efficiency, and improves outcomes for citizens. Our software powers the work of over 5,000 organisations and 2.5 million professionals worldwide – spanning government, healthcare, education, housing, and more. From managing revenues and benefits to enabling better patient care, supporting schools, and delivering vital community services, Civica helps public service teams operate effectively and adapt to changing needs. We understand the pressures on local authorities: the need to innovate, manage resources effectively, and respond rapidly to shifting demands. That’s why our solutions are designed to be future-ready – giving your teams the tools they need to deliver high-quality, citizen-focused services now and into the future. Civica is proud to stand alongside public service leaders, driving innovation, efficiency, and meaningful change for communities everywhere.