All Speakers Mark Rogers Chief Executive, The Leadership Centre Mark has extensive leadership experience across education, local, regional and national government. He has been a teacher and head teacher in a variety of special schools between 1985 and 2001. Subsequently, in local government, he became a Director of Children’s Services (Solihull 2006-09) and twice a council Chief Executive (Solihull 2007-14 and Birmingham 2014-17). Following 15 months of consultancy work with KPMG and CollaborateCIC, in June 2018 Mark became Director General for Children, Young People, Education and Skills for the Government of Jersey. In January 2022, Mark moved back to the UK to become chief executive of the Leadership Centre and, since August 2023, he complemented this role first with leading the team tasked with establishing the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (2023-25) and presently supporting the establishment of the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (2025 -ongoing). Friday 17 October 20225 10:00–10:50 Storming and Forming: The Creation of Combined and Strategic Authorities Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

All Speakers Tracey Anderson Head of Scrutiny and Ward Forums, London Borough of Hackney Tracey has built a diverse career spanning both the public and private sectors, with experience in financial services, council governance and scrutiny. As Head of Scrutiny and Ward Forums in Hackney, she has dedicated nearly two decades to governance and scrutiny. In her role as the statutory scrutiny officer, Tracey oversees the council’s Overview and Scrutiny function, leading a well-regarded scrutiny team that collaborates with councillors, officers, partners and residents to develop and implement a comprehensive scrutiny work programme. Her leadership has shaped council and partner organisation policies, strategies, and service improvements while navigating complex and contentious issues. Her team has been recognised as a leading example of championing a more inclusive approach to governance and strengthening democratic accountability in local public services. Tracey has also played a key role in developing ward-level community engagement for councillors. Under her strategic leadership, ward forums have strengthened councillors’ community leadership roles, fostered stronger connections between elected representatives and their ward communities, and facilitated community action at a local level. Her work has brought local decision-making to the heart of the community, developing strong networks of local partners, organisations and residents and providing a platform for local engagement and conversation. 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

All Speakers Craig Swift-McNair General Manager, Woollahra Council, Sydney, Australia Craig is the General Manager at Woollahra Council in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, not far from the Sydney CBD – a role he commenced in July 2020. Prior to this, from 2014- to 2020, Craig was the General Manager of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, a large coastal regional Council on the mid north coast of NSW. Craig has spent over 20 years in local government in a range of roles across three Councils. Prior to his time in the public sector, Craig had a twenty-five-year career in the private sector in a range of roles and industries. Craig is dedicated to giving back to the local government sector and as part of that, he has been on the Board of Local Government Professionals Australia, NSW since 2018 and the Vice President since October 2023. Craigs focus at Woollahra is building a strengths-based and values-based organisation that delivers on its purpose; provides its people with opportunities to grow in their roles and as individuals, and that delivers excellence in operational and service delivery for the community. Thursday 16 October 2025 12:15–13:15 International Perspective Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

All Speakers Kathryn Rees Executive Director Corporate and Support Services, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Kathryn has extensive experience of leading transformation and change in Local Government through several roles in Stockport and Wigan Council. She is passionate about improving the lives of people and communities. She joined Stockport Council as the Director of Strategy in June 2019 and is currently the Executive Director for Corporate and Support Services, where she has responsibility for finance, legal and democratic services, workforce, communications, strategy, digital, data, partnerships and community engagement. She also led the development of Stockroom, a project to transform vacant retail units into a new innovative space for creativity, discovery and learning. Kathryn plays a key role in the Health and Care partnership, providing leadership for enabling programmes including workforce, data, digital, estates, communication and engagement. She also chairs the Greater Manchester Smart Cities Board. Kathryn previously worked for 9 years in Wigan Council where, as Assistant Director of Transformation, she played an integral part in the design and delivery of the Wigan Deal which transformed the way the council worked with communities. Kathryn joined Mencap as a trustee in January 2022. In addition to the board, she is a member of the Delivery and Strategic Impact Committee. Since May 2024 Kathryn has also sat on the board of Care City, a community interest company delivering health and social care transformation. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Cross-party Working Against a Backdrop of No Overall Control Hall A, Royal Armouries Go to session

All Speakers Sarah Norman Chief Executive, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Councils’ Chief Executives’ Group Chief Executive of Barnsley Council since 2019 and previously Chief Executive of Dudley Council between 2015 and 2019. I am also the Chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Chief Executive’s Group, who support the Yorkshire Leaders Board to meet their priorities, explore policy issues and work collaboratively to address challenges faced by our councils and share good practice amongst our places. This includes working closely with our key partners and stakeholders, such as Yorkshire Universities. Before that my background was in Adults and Children’s services and I was previously both the DASS and the DCS at the City of Wolverhampton. I have also spent periods of time in central government agencies and the voluntary sector and did two terms as an elected member in Liverpool in the 1990s. Passionate about making a difference in our places I was delighted to see Barnsley receive the “double” win and crowned Council of the Year at both the LGC and MJ Awards in 2023 to reflect in particular our success at transforming our town centre to make Barnsley the Place of Possibilities. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45 Public Collaborations: What are they for? Who does all the work? How long do they last? And who really benefits? Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

All Speakers Joanna Key Director General for Regeneration, Housing and Planning, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Joanna Key is Director General, Regeneration, Housing and Planning at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Joanna was previously Director of Growth and Infrastructure at HM Treasury and Director for Domestic Affairs at the Cabinet Office. Prior to the Cabinet Office, she spent three years working as a director at the Department for Exiting the European Union, leading the work on the legal and constitutional implications of the UK’s departure from the EU. Joanna joined the UK Civil Service in the mid-1990s and, over her career, has worked on a wide range of issues including economic growth, Brexit, planning and housing, climate change and energy policy. Married to a diplomat, she has lived, worked and travelled extensively in the Balkans and China, returning to the UK in 2015 after three years working in Beijing on urban policy and growth. She has a master’s degree in economics. Thursday 16 October 2025 14:15–14:55 1.5 Million Homes: Ambition, Action, and Accountability Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

All Speakers Lee Goodenough Executive Director, Harmony Fire Lee Goodenough, Executive Director at Harmony Fire, has been instrumental in shaping the framework now transforming safety across the UK. With a proven track record of leadership and innovation, Lee drives change that ensures compliance, strengthens resilience, and raises safety standards, influencing the way organisations and communities protect people nationwide. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Life Safety First: Turning Risk into Assurance Hall B, Royal Armouries Go to session

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

All Speakers Averil Price Solace Associate and Director, Avie Consultancy The Legacy Coach for senior public service leaders in transition – promotion, pivot, or retirement. I am a senior leader with 20+ years wide-ranging experience as a Local Authority Director. Following a serious brain haemorrhage, I transitioned from local government to self-employed business owner in 2022. As Director of Avie Consultancy Limited I deliver executive legacy coaching & consultancy to individuals and local authorities in the UK. I help leaders plan and execute a successful transition to whatever their next stage is. And I help them celebrate the impact they have made so far in their lives, their leadership legacy. As a Solace Associate, I provide coaching, action learning set facilitation and leadership development courses at a national level. My book ‘The Legacy Coach’ will be published, hopefully, in October 2025, providing an ideal companion for leaders’ transitional journeys. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:20 – 16:00 The Leader’s Mirror: Defining the Legacy You Want — and Preparing for What Comes Next Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Go to session

All Speakers Lord Gary Porter Political Leader and National Voice on Housing Safety Lord Gary Porter is a political leader and respected national voice on housing safety. With decades of public service, he has championed initiatives that protect residents and strengthen accountability. His influence spans policy, regulation, and advocacy, ensuring safety remains a priority in housing at both local and national levels. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Life Safety First: Turning Risk into Assurance Hall B, Royal Armouries Go to session

All Speakers Dr Henry Kippin Chief Executive, North East Combined Authority Dr Henry Kippin is the Chief Executive of the North East CA, responsible for its delivery programme spanning inclusive economic growth, transport, skills, housing, culture, public service innovation, net zero and devolution. He previously served as Chief Executive of the North of Tyne Combined Authority, and as an Executive Director at the West Midlands Combined Authority. Prior to this he held a number of roles in UK and international public policy, including as CEO of Collaborate and managing the cross-party RSA Public Services Commission. He is a trustee of the Young Foundation, a visiting professor at Newcastle University and was a visiting fellow of the UNDP Global Centre for Public Service Excellence from 2013 – 2018. In 2024 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law by Northumbria University. Friday 17 October 20225 10:00–10:50 Storming and Forming: The Creation of Combined and Strategic Authorities Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

All Speakers Katie Piper OBE Writer, Activist and Broadcaster Katie Piper is a best-selling international author, inspirational speaker, TV presenter and charity campaigner. Katie made the decision to share her story in a remarkable film for the Cutting Edge strand on Channel 4 called 'Katie: My Beautiful Face' which was watched by over 3.5million viewers and nominated for Best Single Documentary at the BAFTA Television Awards. Over ten years ago she set up a charity The Katie Piper Foundation to help people with burns and scars to reconnect with their lives and their communities. Simon Cowell supported Katie by becoming the patron and remains actively involved to date. The charity's vision is a world where scars do not limit a person's function, social inclusion or sense of well-being and they achieved their goal to open a rehabilitation centre in the UK to offer other burns survivors the treatments that Katie received in France. In addition to her charity commitments, Katie hosts her own ITV1 show ‘The Katie Piper Breakfast Show’ which is in its third series, is a regular panellist on ITV1’s ‘Loose Women’, and is one of the key faces of the W Channel with her hit series ‘Katie Piper’s Jailhouse Mums’. She is also an experienced radio presenter having covered the Early Morning Breakfast Show and the Michael Ball Show on BBC Radio 2. Her other TV credits include ‘Never Seen a Doctor’ for C4 where she helped people overcome their fears around medical procedures and guided them on their journey back to good health, ‘The Death of Aimee Spencer’ for the Crime and Punishment strand on ITV1, C4’s ‘Famous and Fighting Crime’ where she trained as a special in the police force and ‘Katie Piper’s Face to Face’ where she invited women with facial conditions to London’s Harvey Nichols for makeovers with makeup artists who shared the same facial condition. She also fronted three series of ‘Body Shockers’ for C4 where she met people planning major body modifications and introduced them to someone who had already had the modification done and regretted it. Katie is regularly engaged as a public speaker and has told her inspiring story to audiences at public shows such as WE Day, Women’s Health Live and the Cosmopolitan Self Made Summit as well as for corporate events at Google, Facebook and The NHS. Katie has also written a number of bestselling adult and children’s books and has now launched her own imprint The UnSeen, a brand new literary imprint that’s putting those who were previously ‘unheard’ at the forefront. Katie’s most recent affirmation book, ‘A Little Bit of Hope’ was published last year and her first children’s book ‘All You Need’ was released in 2023 with the second book launching later this year. She is also currently working on the screen adaption of her first book which is due to start filming in 2025. Friday 17 October 20225 12:00–12:50 Katie Piper Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session