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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

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Aire Suite, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Investing in Place to Build Financial Resilience Speaker/s Kamal Patel, Partner in EY-Parthenon’s Infrastructure Advisory Practice, EY Marcus Richards, Partner in EY-Parthenon’s Infrastructure Advisory Practice, EY How can councils build long-term financial resilience through investment and regeneration? This roundtable will explore how public and private capital can be aligned to deliver growth, affordability, and inclusivity, whilst also strengthening financial resilience. It will draw from examples across the UK and globally, including housing, transport and other forms of social infrastructure. Discussion will cover the tools available to unlock regeneration, the attributes investors look for, and how funding reform and fiscal devolution could further strengthen local government financial sustainability. Delivered by

Tom StannardChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Tom Stannard Chief Executive Salford City Council Tom’s professional background is in regeneration, economic development and skills.  From 2018-21 he was Wakefield Council’s Corporate Director of Regeneration and Economic Growth, a key member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in one of the fastest growing economies within the Leeds City Region, the UK’s biggest economic area outside London.  His previous career roles include Director of Economy and Skills at Oldham Council in Greater Manchester, Deputy Chief Executive of the UK Learning and Work Institute, and senior leadership… Show More

Previous Next Rachel McKoy Executive Director, Association of Monitoring Officers (AMO) Rachel McKoy is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and currently the Executive Director of the Association of Monitoring Officers. She qualified as a solicitor in 2005 and has worked in local and central government for over 20 years in various roles including Monitoring Officer, Director of Law & Governance, Assistant Director of Law & Governance, and Head of Legal Services. During the course of her career, she has held, and currently holds, several representative roles on behalf of the local government sector including: the Past President of Lawyers in Local Government (LLG); Law Society Council Member (Local Government Seat); Local Government Association (LGA) Governance Peer; and Non-Executive Director (Group Solicitor) to the Board of the Society of Chief Executives and Senior Leaders (Solace). 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)

All Speakers John O'Halloran Director of 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. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45–16:25 Local Government Reorganisation: Practical Advice and Support Aire Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Salena MulhereDeputy Chief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Salena Mulhere Deputy Chief Executive Test Valley Council Salena has worked in local government for over 20 years, starting her career as a temporary admin assistant before moving quickly into front line customer services where she developed a real passion for the difference local government could make to individuals and communities if it listened to, and worked in partnership with, local residents and local organisations across a range of sectors. In 2020 she was appointed Assistant Chief Executive of the London Borough of Lewisham with a wide strategic… Show More