< All sponsors The MJ www.themj.co.uk The MJ is the UK’s leading weekly magazine for council chief executives and their teams of decision-makers in local authorities and allied sectors. It offers an insiders’ view of what’s going on and what people are thinking in today’s ever changing and challenging world of local politics – the latest news, incisive comment in-depth features and interviews, business analysis and the top recruitment vacancies.

Jonathan DiggesChief Investment Officer < Speakers < Previous Next > Jonathan Digges Chief Investment Officer Octopus Energy Jonathan oversees fund management investment strategy. Since joining Octopus in 2015, he has been Product Head for Octopus Inheritance Tax Service, led the Specialist Finance Investment Team and chaired the Octopus Investment Committee.

Saba HussainPrincipal Partnerships Policy & Commissioning Lead < Speakers < Previous Next > Saba Hussain Principal Partnerships Policy & Commissioning Lead Surrey County Council Saba is a dedicated and passionate local government Officer with over 20 years of experience working with partners to ensure residents live their best lives and striving to create access to opportunities for all. As well as being the front door for charities in Surrey, leading key commissions and improvements, Saba has delivered some major, sustainable, innovative, high-impact change programmes and projects including making Surrey the first county to eradicate period poverty by providing free period products to anyone who… Show More

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

Stand TBC < Back Civica www.civica.com As a trusted leader in GovTech, Civica works in partnership with public service organisations to deliver the essential services that keep communities running. For more than 30 years, we’ve supported the UK public sector with innovative technology that saves money, boosts efficiency, and improves outcomes for citizens. Our software powers the work of over 5,000 organisations and 2.5 million professionals worldwide – spanning government, healthcare, education, housing, and more. From managing revenues and benefits to enabling better patient care, supporting schools, and delivering vital community services, Civica helps public service teams operate effectively and adapt to changing needs. We understand the pressures on local authorities: the need to innovate, manage resources effectively, and respond rapidly to shifting demands. That’s why our solutions are designed to be future-ready – giving your teams the tools they need to deliver high-quality, citizen-focused services now and into the future. Civica is proud to stand alongside public service leaders, driving innovation, efficiency, and meaningful change for communities everywhere.

< All sponsors Arup www.arup.com Arup is an independent global firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants, and technical specialists offering a broad range of professional services by adding value to our clients through technical excellence, efficient organisation and personal service. Arup is committed to sustainable design in our projects and industry-wide sustainability initiatives.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 16:30–17:30 Keynote Empowering the Vulnerable: Lemn Sissay's Journey of Advocacy and Change Speaker/s Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL, Playwright, memoirist, performer and broadcaster Join Lemn Sissay, acclaimed poet and tireless advocate, as he delves into his transformative journey from a child in the care system to a powerful voice for change. In this keynote, Lemn will share his personal experiences with local authorities and the profound impact these experiences had on his life. He will discuss his dedicated advocacy work, aimed at empowering vulnerable children and driving systemic reform. Through his compelling narrative, Lemn will inspire attendees to recognise the importance of supporting and uplifting those in care, and to join him in his mission to create a more just and compassionate system.

Gavin JonesChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Gavin Jones Chief Executive Essex County Council & Solace Chair Gavin has been a local authority CEO for over 12 years, initially at Swindon and latterly at Essex County Council. The first half of Gavin’s career was in a variety of private organisations and market sectors. In 2004 he left SITA International (Airline telecommunications company) serving as Vice President Marketing and Customer Services, to join Swindon Borough Council, his home town. Gavin was listed as one of the top 50 New Radicals in the Sunday Observer’s national campaign for Britain’s… Show More

Louise MarshallSenior Fellow in Public Health < Speakers < Previous Next > Louise Marshall Senior Fellow in Public Health The Health Foundation Louise Marshall is Senior Fellow in Public Health at the Health Foundation, where her work focuses on the wider determinants of health, and complex systems approaches to health and health inequalities. Louise is a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health and is registered as a Public Health Specialist with the UK Public Health Register. Alongside her role at the Health Foundation, Louise worked as Consultant in Public Health at Oxfordshire County Council during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021,… Show More

Susan ParsonageDeputy Spokesperson for Children and Families < Speakers < Previous Next > Susan Parsonage Deputy Spokesperson for Children and Families Chief Executive, Wokingham Borough Council Susan Parsonage has been Chief Executive for Wokingham Borough Council since April 2019 and has been driving the vision, ambition and strategic direction – also putting residents at the heart of the organisation. In the past years as well as leading and enabling a fantastic and innovative response by staff to COVID and there’s been significant improvements in social care for adults and children, and a positive step change in our relationship with the voluntary and community sectors. Also a… Show More

Simon Lewis MBEHead of Resilience < Speakers < Previous Next > Simon Lewis MBE Head of Resilience National Emergencies Trust With a background in Crisis Management, Emergency Planning, and Security Coordination, Simon has held key roles at the British Red Cross and the Metropolitan Police Service, and now as Head of Resilience at the National Emergencies Trust. His expertise includes emergency panning for the London 2012 Olympic Games, leading responses to major incidents such as the London terrorist attacks, and various crises including the Grenfell Tower Fire and the COVID-19 pandemic. Simon's dedication and leadership have been recognised through awards like the MBE and… Show More

< All sponsors SpaceHive Stand 24 www.spacehive.com Spacehive is the fundraising platform for locally-led projects. We help to crowdfund local ideas and have raised over £35 million across the UK and Ireland. We partner with local authorities to amplify funding, community engagement and social impact by integrating grantmaking with crowdfunding.