Search this site

Previous Next Kathryn Rees Executive Director, Corporate and Support Services, Stockport Council Kathryn has more than 20 years’ experience in local government, leading transformation and change across Stockport and Wigan councils. Passionate about public services, she is committed to improving outcomes for people and communities. As Executive Director for Corporate and Support Services at Stockport Council, Kathryn leads a broad portfolio including strategy, digital, communications, workforce, finance, legal services and community engagement. Previously, at Wigan Council, she played an integral role in developing and delivering the Wigan Deal. Kathryn is also a trustee and board member at Mencap and a Non-Executive Director at Care City. 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

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 Stage Breakout: Local Government Reform Is Paused—So What Do We Do Next? Breakout View Session Speakers: Jonathan Stephenson , Joint Chief Executive, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Greg Campbell , Strategic Director, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council Paul Brace , Director of Communities and Health, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Navigating Local Government Reform: Lessons from the Digital Frontline of Devolution Speaker/s Mark Gannon, Director of Client Solutions, Netcall Craig Barker, Senior Manager – Digital and Customer Experience, Cumberland Council Kate Hurr, Assistant Director – Digital Innovation and ICT, Cumberland Council With local government reform reshaping councils across England, leaders face an urgent challenge: how to deliver seamless, citizen-centric services while navigating the complexity of system consolidation, workforce transitions, and operational realignment. In this session, we bring together those who have been through it to share hard-won insights on what works - and what doesn’t - when transforming service delivery amidst structural change. Join us for a discussion that blends strategic vision with real-world experience. The speakers will explore the ‘why’ of reform - unlocking efficiencies, economies of scale, and aligning services to citizen needs - while tackling the practical hurdles: multiple IT systems, complex migrations and integrations and the impact on people and processes. Expect candid reflections, actionable insights and a roadmap for delivering effective, digital-first services in the face of local government reform. Takeaways Get real-world, practical advice – This session focuses on actionable insights from those who have done it, rather than high-level theory. Avoid common pitfalls – Learn from the challenges and successes of others to make informed decisions in your own digital transformation journey. Stay ahead of change – Gain the knowledge and confidence to proactively shape your council’s approach, rather than reacting under pressure. Delivered by

Martin NealeCEO < Speakers < Previous Next > Martin Neale CEO ICS.AI Martin is an experienced entrepreneur and a visionary in digital AI innovation, with a track record of launching over 20 cutting-edge technologies. Passionate about generative AI, he sees it as the key to the fifth industrial revolution. Martin's expertise propels the company’s innovation, transforming the UK public sector and revolutionising Local Government. Martin is driven by the endless potential of AI, focusing on its transformative capabilities. He strongly believes in the thoughtful and ethical integration of AI, aiming to provide… Show More

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

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Hall B, Royal Armouries 15:45–16:25 Workshop Delivering Together: How Local Authorities and Strategic Authorities Are Jointly Driving Place-Based Transformational Growth Chair Gareth Fairweather, Senior Leader, Urban and Regional, Arup Speaker/s Tom Stannard, Chief Executive, Manchester City Council, and Solace Policy Lead for Health & Social Care Ciara Graven, Consultant – Economics and Casemaking Team, Arup Amy Harhoff, Chief Executive, East Midlands Combined County Authority As the UK Government continues to strengthen devolution, Local Authorities (LAs) and Strategic Authorities (SAs) are being entrusted with greater powers and funding to drive regional growth. This breakout session, hosted by Arup, will convene senior decision-makers from Local and Strategic Authorities to explore how to build collaborative delivery-driven organisations and co-governance arrangements, capable of translating strategic ambitions into tangible outcomes. What we will cover Through a dynamic panel discussion and active audience engagement, participants will examine the practical steps needed to scale up delivery capabilities, foster collaborative partnerships, and align investment strategies with local priorities. Drawing on insights from the recent roundtables with the HM Government Darlington Economic Campus and Arup’s extensive work with local governments, the session will highlight the importance of evidence-led decision-making, strategic clarity, and organisational transformation in achieving successful outcomes from devolution. The conversation will be framed around the challenges and opportunities identified in the English Devolution White Paper, including the need to avoid devolution becoming mere delegation, empowering LAs and SAs to lead with purpose, build robust delivery cultures, and demonstrate real-world impact for communities - especially those that feel left behind. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences, pose questions to the panel, and contribute to shaping a shared vision for successful collaboration pathways for LAs and SAs on their transformation journey to delivery-driven organisations. Takeaways Strategic Alignment for Impact Understand how LAs and SAs can define and communicate strategic priorities that resonate with local needs and national ambitions, ensuring investment decisions are outcome-focused and community-driven. Building Organisational Delivery Capability Explore approaches to scaling up delivery capability, including workforce development, cross-sector collaboration, and intentionally pursuing opportunities to align strategic infrastructure investments with efforts to drive place-based change. Collaborative Governance and Evidence-Led Planning Learn how to foster effective partnerships across government tiers and leverage data and evidence to inform investment planning, galvanise support, and demonstrate the tangible benefits of devolution. Delivered by

Previous Next Matt O'Neill Executive Director, Place, Barnsley Council Matt O’Neill is a highly accomplished public sector leader with over two decades of experience in economic development, regeneration, strategic planning and delivery of front-line services. This experience has been gained working across different parts of Northern England: Cheshire, County Durham, Teesside, North and South Yorkshire. He has worked with all political leaderships and Combined Authorities in rural, coastal and urban environments covering District, Borough, County Council and Metropolitan Unitary Authorities. Currently serving as the Executive Director of Place at Barnsley Council, Matt provides strategic leadership across a wide portfolio including economic regeneration, planning, housing, culture, zero carbon initiatives, waste, neighbourhoods, highways, assets, environment, transport, communities and regulatory services. Since joining Barnsley Council in May 2022, Matt has played a pivotal role in shaping the borough’s ambitious growth agenda. He is a driving force behind transformative projects such as The Seam Digital Campus and the Yorkshire Rose sculptures, which aim to position Barnsley as the UK’s leading digital town. He has also spearheaded two pioneering initiatives: Health on the High Street, which integrates health services into town centre regeneration to improve accessibility and public health outcomes; and Pathways to Work, a nationally significant body of work designed to reduce economic inactivity across South Yorkshire as one of the eight national Government Trailblazers. These initiatives reflect his holistic approach to place-making, one that prioritises residents. Known for his ability to deliver complex programmes in politically sensitive and multi-agency environments, Matt is a strategic thinker and effective problem solver. His expertise includes project planning and delivery, securing external funding, asset management, and real estate consulting as a chartered surveyor. He is also recognised for his collaborative approach, working across public and private sectors to unlock investment and deliver social value. Matt’s influence extends beyond local government. He regularly contributes to national conversations on urban renewal, town centre regeneration, urban planning, surveying and sustainable development, including speaking at national events and conferences. With a passion for place-making and a track record of delivering impactful change, Matt continues to shape the future of Barnsley and beyond through a deep commitment to community and resident-focused service delivery. 13:00–13:10 Rewiring the State Barnsley: Health on the High Street Showcase View Session Speaker: Matt O'Neill , Executive Director – Place, Barnsley Council 11:10–11:20 Rewiring the State Barnsley: Health on the High Street Showcase View Session Speaker: Matt O'Neill , Executive Director – Place, Barnsley Council

Previous Next Cllr Hannah Dalton Leader, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Cllr Hannah Dalton is Leader of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and a respected voice in local government, known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to delivering better outcomes for residents. She has championed innovation, strong partnerships and community-focused services, while leading through significant local and national challenges. Hannah is passionate about strengthening local democracy, supporting councillors and officers to work effectively together, and ensuring councils remain at the heart of their communities. Through her work at both local and national levels, she brings practical insights on leadership, resilience and change, making her a sought-after speaker on the future of local government. 10:55–11:45 Main Stage Stronger Standards, Stronger Leadership, Stronger Places Keynote View Session Speakers: Kath O'Dwyer , Solace Group Board Chair Cllr Hannah Dalton , Leader, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council Rachel McKoy , Executive Director, Association of Monitoring Officers (AMO)

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 11:15–11:25 Presidents Opening Speech Speaker/s Robin Tuddenham, President of Solace and Chief Executive, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Samantha SmithDirector of Institute and past President < Speakers < Previous Next > Samantha Smith Director of Institute and past President Socitm Sam is a former President of Socitm and now the Director of the Socitm Institute. In that role she leads the delivery of services including policy, research, data, learning & development, and benchmarking. Before joining Socitm Sam spent 27 years in local government IT & Digital Services culminating in Service Director for a shared IT service working across two Councils in the East of England. Managing shared services of different types and sizes has been a feature of her… Show More

Keynote 13:30–14:30 The Difference One Person Makes: Lessons in Resilience, Purpose and the Life-Changing Impact of Public Service Main Stage Ashley John-Baptiste, Broadcaster and Journalist Read More Previous Drawing on his lived experience growing up in care, Ashley John-Baptiste shares a powerful and personal perspective on the role public services play in shaping lives. Moving between foster placements, facing educational challenges and navigating uncertainty, Ashley experienced first-hand the impact that social workers, care professionals and other public servants can have on a young person’s future. In conversation with Robin Tuddenham, Ashley will reflect on resilience, purpose and the individuals who helped him believe in possibilities beyond his circumstances. Together, they will explore what it means to create lasting impact, why public service matters, and how today’s leaders can inspire hope for the next generation. This closing plenary will leave delegates challenged, inspired and reminded that often the most important work happens quietly, through everyday actions that change lives. Next

< Back Previous Exhibitor, Sponsor Zellis https://www.zellis.com/zellisone Stand 12 Zellis is the UK and Ireland's leading provider of AI-enabled HR, Pay, and Workforce Management solutions. Uniting Zellis, elementsuite, and Hastee in 2025, we support the full employee lifecycle—helping pay one in six UK workers and empowering businesses to work smarter, faster, and with greater confidence. Next