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All Speakers Evelyn John Inner Circle Consulting 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

Presidential Address 10:40–10:55 President's Opening Speech Main Stage Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Read More Previous More information to follow. Next

Devolution and LGR Zone 09:10–09:20 Devolution and LGR Drop-in with Solace Associates, Georgia Turner and Ian Bancroft Rewiring the State Georgia Turner, Solace Associate Read More Ian Bancroft, Solace Associate Read More Previous Drop in for an informal conversation about devolution and local government reorganisation with the Solace team and associates. Next

Previous Next Paul Robinson Strategic Director for LGR, Nottinghamshire County Council Paul Robinson is an experienced Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) leader, having played senior roles in both the Cumbria and Nottinghamshire LGR programmes. As Director of Enabler Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, he led over 450 staff and managed a £34m budget across HR, ICT, Digital, Customer Services, Legal Services and Cyber Security. He led some of the most complex elements of the Cumbria reorganisation, including the transition of almost 7,000 employees and the separation and integration of multiple ICT environments. As SIRO, he ensured robust governance, data protection and cyber security throughout, delivering safe, legal and resilient organisational transformation. 11:30–12:30 Main Stage Breakout: Ensuring success whilst Surviving LGR: Lived Experiences of Delivering Major Transformation Breakout View Session Speakers: Jessica Mullinger , Executive Director of Sector Support, Solace in Business (Co-chair) Simon Allsop , Delivery Director, CIPFA (Co-chair) Dr David Parr OBE , Former Chief Executive, Halton Borough Council Paul Robinson , Strategic Director for LGR, Nottinghamshire County Council

Networking 19:15–20:00 Presidential Drinks Reception Rum Warehouse Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Read More Previous More information to follow. Next

Rachel MckoyDirector of Law & Governance (Monitoring Officer) < Speakers < Previous Next > Rachel Mckoy Director of Law & Governance (Monitoring Officer) London Borough of Hounslow Rachel is an experienced senior leader who is passionate about good governance, democracy, fairness, and delivering for local communities. Rachel has acquired substantial experience within the legal, governance, and commercial space. Her specialism of planning and regeneration has also provided her with exposure to a myriad of high-profile strategic schemes and national infrastructure projects, within local and central government. Her experience as President of Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) and as a NED on the Solace Board has further provided… Show More

Showcase Zone 08:55–09:05 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

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Hotot Suite, Royal Armouries 15:45-16:25 Roundtable Test, Learn and Grow: How Do We Build a Movement? Chair Evelyn John, Managing Director, Inner Circle Consulting Speaker/s Lisa Smith, Director of Strategy, Performance and Partnerships, Liverpool City Council Andrew Ferrier, Chief Executive, Test Valley Borough Council Jonathan Clifton, Director of Strategy and Communications, Sheffield City Council The sessions offers an opportunity to hear about the flagship Test, Learn and Grow programme. You’ll hear practical insights directly from participants in this pioneering approach to public service reform alongside leads from Cabinet Office, explore how a ‘test and learn’ mindset can support system-wide improvement, and how we can build a wider ‘movement’ the bridges between places and central government and closes the gap between policy intent and delivery.

Previous Next Nicola Monk Divisional CEO, Commercial Services Group Nicola Monk is Divisional CEO at Commercial Services Group, one of the UK’s most successful Local Authority Trading Companies. She brings a strong track record in public service leadership (including 29 years in local government) and is passionate about the role of collaboration in driving better outcomes for communities. At Commercial Services Group, Nicola leads a wide-ranging portfolio – from energy and environmental services to procurement and recruitment – with a focus on making life easier for partners and helping organisations deliver lasting impact. Known for her open, people-centred approach, Nicola is committed to creating meaningful partnerships, supporting innovation, and ensuring public services have the tools they need to thrive in challenging times. 15:30–16:30 South East Breakout: Beyond the Tipping Point: How do we Actually Make Long Term Change Happen Breakout View Session Speakers: Nicola Monk , Divisional CEO, Commercial Services Group Dr Jonathan Carr-West , Chief Executive, LGIU

Previous Next Kurtis Toy Chief Executive, Cyber Centre of Excellence (iESE) Kurtis Toy is a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) and CEO of Onca Technologies Ltd who has also been appointed as the CEO of the CCoE. After gaining an MSc in Biology, Kurtis worked for an oil servicing company where he ended up working in IT. He became responsible for the IT and information security in the company, leading to him becoming Global IT Coordinator. He then gained an additional MSc in Information Technology, next becoming Global IT Team Leader, which included responsibility for cyber security, before moving to Onca Technologies full time, which he established in 2016. Further qualifications Kurtis has since gained include becoming a GDPR Foundation and Practitioner (Data Protection Officer), ISO 9001 Internal Auditor training and ISO 27001 Lead Implementor. He is also a CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional). He describes the CCoE as giving local authorities access to an umbrella of protection akin to a “validated Google of cyber security knowledge”. 11:30–12:30 North West Breakout: Cyber Resilience in Transition: Securing Public Services Through Reorganisation and Digital Disruption Breakout View Session Speaker: Kurtis Toy , Chief Executive, Cyber Centre of Excellence

Jamie OunanCo-Founder and Executive Chairman < Speakers < Previous Next > Jamie Ounan Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Inner Circle Consulting Jamie Ounan is the Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Inner Circle Consulting, where he has played a pivotal role in delivering transformative regeneration projects across East London. From the 2012 Olympics and Crossrail to local estate renewal and community-led cultural initiatives, Jamie has spent over a decade driving change in some of the UK’s most complex urban environments. With a background spanning city planning, economic growth, and infrastructure, Jamie transitioned to service design and system transformation, helping local leaders achieve… Show More

Simon AllsopManaging Consultant < Speakers < Previous Next > Simon Allsop Managing Consultant CIPFA Simon Allsop is a CIPFA qualified accountant and a Managing Consultant with CIPFA. He was previously the joint Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) for both Derbyshire Police and Fire. He has 30 years of experience working with and in a range of public-sector bodies mainly local government, fire and police. He has extensive experience of audit and advisory work as a former senior manager in KPMG’s public sector audit and advisory team working with the NAO and Audit Commission,… Show More