Stand TBC < Back Zest www.zest.uk.com Zest is one of the UK’s fastest-growing investor-operators of public access EV charging infrastructure. Based in Leeds, the company partners with local authorities and the real estate sector across the UK. Major public sector projects include work with Transport for London, Hackney Council, the North East Combined Authority, and Portsmouth City Council. Zest is on a mission to make the switch to electric vehicles a practical choice for everyone by accelerating access to abundant, convenient, and reliable charging. Backed by the Government-sponsored Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund (CIIF), Zest is able to invest in larger-scale projects that anticipate future demand, act quickly to deliver essential EV infrastructure, and make a real contribution to the UK’s net zero goals. As a certified B Corporation, Zest meets rigorous social and environmental standards, underscoring its commitment to a triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. In March, the company was recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ 2025 by Great Place to Work®, the global authority on workplace culture.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries 14:15–14:55 Sub Plenary 1.5 Million Homes: Ambition, Action, and Accountability Chair Jon Rouse CBE, Chief Executive, Stoke on Trent City Council and Solace Policy Lead for Housing, Planning and Infrastructure Speaker/s Joanna Key, Director General for Regeneration, Housing and Planning, MHCLG Local authorities are central to delivering the Government’s 1.5 million homes target, one of the most ambitious housing targets in a generation. This session explores how planning reform, local leadership, and community-focused development can turn national ambition into local impact.

Gordon WilmottHead of Market for Public Services < Speakers < Previous Next > Gordon Wilmott Head of Market for Public Services Zurich Municipal Gordon Wilmott is Head of Market for Public Services at Zurich Municipal, where he leads the division in meeting the needs of its customers – local authorities from small parish councils to counties and everything in between. Providing tailored risk management and insurance solutions to support clients in maximising their impact and delivering for their communities. Gordon has also lead the division supporting the Third Sector in his time with Zurich Municipal. Prior to his roles in ZM, Gordons career… Show More

John Amaechi OBEOrganisational Psychologist < Speakers < Previous Next > John Amaechi OBE Organisational Psychologist Founder of APS Intelligence There are many things to tell you about John. There’s all the usual bio stuff: Professor John Amaechi OBE is a respected organisational psychologist, and the Leadership Transformation Expert at APS Intelligence LTD, the consultancy he founded in 2006. At APS Intelligence, John and his team of specialists' partner with businesses to build bespoke programmes focused on executive coaching and behavioural change that help create effective leaders and authentic and ethical cultures. This is what John believes leads to sustainable… Show More

All Speakers Brenda Orchard President of CAMA and Chief Administrative Officer, Lennox and Addington County Brenda Orchard is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Lennox and Addington County, Ontario, and currently serves as the President of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA). She has 25 years of experience in senior municipal administration and 16 years as a CAO. She has worked with Municipal Councils in three different provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario) and in both urban and rural settings. She has served as a CAO in Nova Scotia (Annapolis County) as well as Southwestern and Eastern Ontario (Huron County and currently Lennox and Addington County), and in both single-tier and upper-tier structures. She has a municipal background in Economic Development, having been a member of the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) for the past 25 years. Her passion now lies in employee engagement and staff development. She is dedicated to the growth and development of staff; believing that the success of our communities is predicated on high functioning staff teams that can work with Councils to realize a community's full potential. Brenda has served on many CAMA Committees in her seven years on the Board, but the Toolkit Committee has been her particular passion. She has worked on a number of resource documents to assist CAOs in navigating professional relationships with Councils and staff. She has been a member of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators for 16 years. She is also a past member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Thursday 16 October 2025 12:15–13:15 International Perspective Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

Angela Carr Maintenance & Voids Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Angela Carr Maintenance & Voids Manager Stroud District Council Angela is currently Maintenance & Voids Manager for Stroud District Council’s in house response repairs team, Property Care. This role is varied and fast paced as it involves managing two of the most important issues affecting social housing tenants – delivering response repairs and returning safe and compliant properties to house future tenants. Angela has worked in local government for five years and in social housing for over 25 years, covering development of new homes, planned investment programmes and mechanical… Show More

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Future-Ready Councils: If we can share a problem, we can share a solution Speaker/s Diksha Vyas, Head of Digital Change and Service Improvement, Bracknell Forest Council Tracey Anderson, Head of Scrutiny and Ward Forums, London Borough of Hackney This session sets out a bold new approach: a federated, public sector-led consultancy model that brings councils together to co-design scalable solutions to shared challenges. Grounded in shared expertise, co-creation, and equity, this model aims to eliminate duplication, level the playing field, and accelerate progress for all—empowering a more collaborative, future-ready public sector. We believe the future of local government delivery lies in enabling people across our councils to lead change with shared purpose, and to collaborate across organisational and geographic boundaries. Big Idea: A Sector-Led Consultancy Model for Shared Challenges Let’s ask some difficult questions: How much is each council spending on software, consultants, and bespoke solutions to tackle the same problems? How many of us depend on “luck”—a good account manager, a standout hire, or a place in a central government pilot—to make progress? What happens to councils that miss out, but still face the same pressures? And what about the systems and services we tolerate—not because they work, but because the cost or risk of change feels too high? Now imagine a future where: Councils pool their talent, experience, and creativity to design common solutions. A national challenge, such as improving EHCP outcomes or reducing housing pressures, is tackled by a multi-disciplinary team drawn from across authorities. These solutions—whether new processes, policy frameworks, or digital prototypes—are freely shared, adapted locally, and scaled. No council is left behind, because innovation is a shared sector asset, not a privilege. This model functions as a public sector “think-and-do tank,” built from within by the people who understand the challenges best. It’s practical. It’s equitable. And it’s entirely achievable. Takeaways A compelling new vision for collaborative delivery across local government Inspiration from leaders who have embraced courage, purpose, and systems thinking Practical pathways to get involved—from digital participation to secondments Energy, ambition, and momentum to help shape a shared delivery future Delivered by

< All sponsors Zellis www.zellis.com Zellis is the UK and Ireland’s leading provider of AI-powered HR, Workforce Management, and Pay solutions. In 2025, we unified Zellis, elementsuite, and Hastee into one platform, now supporting one in six UK workers. We help businesses work smarter and faster—earning top industry awards for innovation and impact.

All Speakers Jon Gleek Head of Research, LGIU Jon joined LGIU in the summer of 2025 as Head of Research following over a decade of experience in local government in South Yorkshire and London. He has extensive experience of senior management and high-profile roles in councils related to population level research, academic partnerships, insight development for policy making and strategy development, change management and service improvement. Jon is responsible for the organisation’s research and insight function, leading the portfolio of LGIU’s research partnerships and managing the Local Democracy Research Centre. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Shaping Communities – How Leaders Unlock Social and Economic Value Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Matt ProsserChief Executive, Dorset Council & Solace President < Speakers < Previous Next > Matt Prosser Chief Executive, Dorset Council & Solace President Dorset Council Matt Prosser has worked in local government for over twenty eight years, and was Chief Executive of the ground breaking Dorset Councils Partnership serving; North Dorset District Council, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council before taking up his current post of Chief Executive Dorset Council – one of two new unitary councils in Dorset. Matt has a wide experience within local government, having worked as a management consultant and regional programme manager for the then Improvement… Show More

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 Jonathan Bradley Senior Experience Partner, Granicus Jonathan Bradley leads the UK arm of Granicus’ Experience Services, where he partners exclusively with public sector organisations to design modern, meaningful customer experiences. As a Senior Experience Partner, he’s passionate about making public services more accessible, intuitive, and impactful—helping people get what they need, when they need it, with ease. With over 25 years of experience across the public sector, Jonathan brings deep insight and a human-centred mindset to digital transformation. His mission? To help organisations shift from process-driven systems to people-first solutions that genuinely improve lives and strengthen communities. Outside of work, Jonathan finds harmony in music—he’s a proud member of the Mousehole Male Voice Choir, where he lends his voice to a tradition that celebrates community, culture, and connection. 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