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Showcase Zone 12:45–12:55 Stockport: From Consultation to Co-Creation: Equality and Community Networks Rewiring the State Clare Redfern, Service Manager, Neighbourhood Coordination and Support Service, Stockport Council Read More Victoria Shaw,Chief Operating Officer, Sector 3 Read More Previous Five years ago, Stockport Council and its voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise partners set up Equality and Community Networks to reach the communities traditional consultation was missing. Hear how they now give communities a direct route into policy, commissioning and service design. Next

All Speakers Jonathan Clifton Director of Strategy and Communications, Sheffield City Council Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45-16:25 Test, Learn and Grow: How Do We Build a Movement? Hotot Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

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

Compere 10:30 Conference Commences Main Stage Victoria Derbyshire, Journalist and BBC Topical News Presenter Read More Previous Next

Showcase Zone 13:30–13:40 Blackburn with Darwen: The Trojan Horse of Leadership Development Rewiring the State Claire Trickett, Workforce and Organisational Development Consultant, Blackburn with Darwen Council Read More Sue Featherstone, Solace Associate and Director, Developing Success Read More Previous The Trojan Horse of Leadership Development: How building internal coaching capability unlocked vertical development across the organisation Developing coaching capability strengthens both individual leaders and the wider system. Leaders become more self-aware, purposeful, and inclusive - while also developing others through everyday interactions. This creates a ripple effect across the organisation, supporting culture change, improving wellbeing, and enabling more adaptive, equitable leadership. Next

Amanda CoulthardHead of Strategy and Performance < Speakers < Previous Next > Amanda Coulthard Head of Strategy and Performance Scottish Police Authority Amanda leads the Strategy and Performance function and reports into the Deputy Chief Executive (Strategy & Performance). Amanda joined the Authority in February 2021 from a role in West Dunbartonshire Council as the performance advisor to the Chief Executive and Elected Members, leading a team responsible for: Strategic Planning & Performance; Data Analysis; Policy; Consultation & Engagement; Equalities; Community Planning; Partnerships and Local Scrutiny. As the Head of Strategy & Performance for the SPA Amanda leads the Authority’s approach to… Show More

Previous Next Samantha Allen CBE Chief Executive, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board Samantha (Sam) was appointed as chief executive of the North East and North Cumbria ICB in January 2022 ahead of the ICB becoming a statutory organisation in July 2022. Sam is an experienced NHS Chief Executive, prior to the ICB she led an NHS Foundation Trust for five years. Sam is a Chartered Manager and Companion of the Chartered Management Institute and holds an MBA from Aston University. In June 2026 Sam was awarded a CBE for services to the NHS. Sam is a member of The Kings Fund General Advisory Council and a former fellow of St. George's House, Windsor Castle. Sam is also interim regional director for NHS England North East and Yorkshire. 14:00–15:00 Main Stage The Future of Health and Care: Reform, Partnership and Place Sub Plenary View Session Speakers: Alison Barker , Chief Executive, North Lincolnshire Council and Solace Deputy Policy Lead for Health and Social Care (Chair) Ben Dyson , Director, Integrated Care and Care Partnerships, Adult Social Care Group, Department of Health and Social Care Samantha Allen CBE , Chief Executive, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board

Amar HassanPrincipal Accountant, Investment (Capital) and Revenue Strategic Finance < Speakers < Previous Next > Amar Hassan Principal Accountant, Investment (Capital) and Revenue Strategic Finance North Tyneside Council Amar is a finance professional with over a decade of experience spanning a variety of finance and banking roles across the Public, Private and higher education sectors. Amar is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and is currently the Principal Accountant for Capital Investment and Treasury Management at North Tyneside Council. Amar has a passion for sustainability, transformational working, and technology and ICT skills. Amar is the Chair of the Ethnic Diversity Staff… Show More

Angela SharmaPrincipal In-House Counsel & Deputy Monitoring Officer Law Society Planning & Environment Committee < Speakers < Previous Next > Angela Sharma Principal In-House Counsel & Deputy Monitoring Officer Law Society Planning & Environment Committee Hounslow Borough Council Angela's professional journey as a planning solicitor has equipped her with the skills to advise senior management and council members effectively. Her astute commercial awareness and dedication to client care uniquely position her to support local authorities in navigating the current economic and social challenges. Creating reliable and collaborative relationships with Members, officers, and stakeholders for our communities, Angela Sharma combines her legal acumen, business experience, and community-focused approach to help local authorities and businesses thrive. Both in and… Show More

Keynote 11:45–12:45 Local Choices, National Consequences: What May’s Elections Tell Us About Britain’s Democratic Future Main Stage Victoria Derbyshire, Journalist and BBC Topical News Presenter Read More Sir John Curtice, British Political Scientist and Professor of Politics, University of Strathclyde Read More Sam Hartley, Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, The Electoral Commission Read More Previous Drawing on decades of rigorous research and real-time data insights, Sir John and Sam will unpack what the outcomes reveal about voter sentiment, political realignment, and the evolving relationship between local communities and national politics. In this keynote, he will explore what the results mean for local authorities, the balance of political control across the country, and the challenges and opportunities emerging for local democratic institutions. He will also examine the broader implications for the future of UK democracy—from trust in governance to public expectations of local leadership. For senior local government leaders navigating shifting political landscapes, this session will provide essential context, clear-eyed interpretation, and authoritative insight into how these elections will shape the priorities, pressures, and possibilities facing local government in the years ahead. Next

All Speakers Asim Ali VP of UK Sales, Granicus For almost 25 years, Asim has worked closely with Public Sector organisations, helping them use digital tools, technology, and consultancy to gain better outcomes for their customers, whilst creating significant internal efficiencies and cost-savings. Over the last decade, UK public sector bodies, have been under tremendous pressure to continue to provide services to their communities whilst having to make huge cuts to their budgets. Over 450 public sector agencies have turned to Granicus to help them to reach and engage with their audiences and provide improved ways of managing customer interactions. From outbound communication tools to public consultations, to online service provision, to CRM, to workflow automation and more, we have a platform that helps public sector organisations to transform how they deliver services and information for their communities. We also have the consultancy knowledge and expertise to help our customers to design and build human-centred services, campaigns and engagement strategies. We are driven by knowing that our solutions make a real difference, not only to our customers, but to the lives of the citizens that they serve. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45-16:25 The Silent Stakeholder: Why Residents Deserve a Seat at the LGR Table Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Previous Next Robin Tuddenham Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Robin has been Chief Executive at Calderdale Council, in West Yorkshire, since June 2017 and Calderdale's Place Lead for West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board  since July 2022. He is responsible for leading both the Council's and ICB's workforce, supporting system leadership across the area in support of Calderdale Vision 2034, and overseeing a major regeneration programme across the borough's market towns. Robin is the current President of Solace (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) after being lead spokesperson for Solace for Economic Prosperity from 2020-24. Robin was previously Director of Communities and Business Change for Calderdale, leading the redevelopment of the multi-award-winning restoration of the Piece Hall and new Central Library in Halifax. Prior to that, he worked in local government, the Probation Service and the voluntary sector in East London. Robin is a Fellow of the Centre of Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge, is a life Member of the Faculty of Public Health, a Non-Executive Director of the Northern Housing Consortium and a Trustee of Belong. 10:40–10:55 Main Stage President's Opening Speech Presidential Address View Session Speakers: Robin Tuddenham , Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 19:15–20:00 Rum Warehouse Presidential Drinks Reception Networking View Session Speakers: Robin Tuddenham , Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 14:30–14:45 Main Stage President's Closing Speech Keynote View Session More information to follow.