Tom StannardChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Tom Stannard Chief Executive Salford City Council Tom’s professional background is in regeneration, economic development and skills.  From 2018-21 he was Wakefield Council’s Corporate Director of Regeneration and Economic Growth, a key member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in one of the fastest growing economies within the Leeds City Region, the UK’s biggest economic area outside London.  His previous career roles include Director of Economy and Skills at Oldham Council in Greater Manchester, Deputy Chief Executive of the UK Learning and Work Institute, and senior leadership… Show More

< All sponsors Jadu Stand 10 www.jadu.net Jadu has over 20 years of experience digitally transforming hundreds of government, education and private sector organisations worldwide. With offices in the UK, North America and Australia, Jadu is a leading global provider of accessible web experiences, specialising in low code, CRM, accessible websites (CMS) and online forms, customer case management for the enterprise and expert digital design services. Millions of users use Jadu to access critical digital services every day. Jadu focuses on using technology to connect communities and empower effective self-service. They are on a mission to become the world’s most accessible digital platform.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Friday 17 October 20225 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 10:00–10:50 Panel Storming and Forming: The Creation of Combined and Strategic Authorities Speaker/s Dr Henry Kippin, Chief Executive, North East Combined Authority Amy Harhoff, Chief Executive, East Midlands Combined County Authority Mark Rogers, Chief Executive, The Leadership Centre As devolution continues to reshape the landscape of local government, combined and strategic authorities are taking centre stage in driving growth, inclusion, and reform. But what does it take to build one from the ground up — and how should they look, lead, and operate to truly deliver on their promise? In this session, leaders who have been at the forefront of creating new combined authorities will share the realities behind the headlines — from early “storming” stages of partnership building, governance, and vision-setting, through to the ongoing work of forming strong, purpose-driven organisations. Together, they’ll explore what effective leadership looks like in these complex, multi-tiered systems, the lessons learned along the way, and what this evolving model of place leadership means for the future of local government.

All Speakers Rosa Foster Director, Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission Rosa is a climate and environment specialist with over 20 years’ experience in leading operational programmes, including partnership-led major infrastructure schemes. As Director of the Leeds and Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commissions, she works at the nexus of stakeholders — government, academia, industry and communities — to translate evidence into practical climate policy and action. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Shaping Communities – How Leaders Unlock Social and Economic Value Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Navigating Local Government Reform: Lessons from the Digital Frontline of Devolution Speaker/s Mark Gannon, Director of Client Solutions, Netcall Craig Barker, Senior Manager – Digital and Customer Experience, Cumberland Council Kate Hurr, Assistant Director – Digital Innovation and ICT, Cumberland Council With local government reform reshaping councils across England, leaders face an urgent challenge: how to deliver seamless, citizen-centric services while navigating the complexity of system consolidation, workforce transitions, and operational realignment. In this session, we bring together those who have been through it to share hard-won insights on what works - and what doesn’t - when transforming service delivery amidst structural change. Join us for a discussion that blends strategic vision with real-world experience. The speakers will explore the ‘why’ of reform - unlocking efficiencies, economies of scale, and aligning services to citizen needs - while tackling the practical hurdles: multiple IT systems, complex migrations and integrations and the impact on people and processes. Expect candid reflections, actionable insights and a roadmap for delivering effective, digital-first services in the face of local government reform. Takeaways Get real-world, practical advice – This session focuses on actionable insights from those who have done it, rather than high-level theory. Avoid common pitfalls – Learn from the challenges and successes of others to make informed decisions in your own digital transformation journey. Stay ahead of change – Gain the knowledge and confidence to proactively shape your council’s approach, rather than reacting under pressure. Delivered by

All Speakers Robin Tuddenham President of Solace and Chief Executive, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Robin has been Chief Executive at Calderdale Council, in West Yorkshire, since June 2017, previously the Accountable Officer for NHS Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) since October 2020 and is Calderdale's Place Lead for West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board . He is responsible for leading both the Council's and Calderdale place's workforce, supporting system leadership across the area with public, private and voluntary sector leaders in support of Calderdale Vision 2024 and overseeing a £600m capital programme across the borough's market towns. Robin is Place Lead for Calderdale for West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and is joint SRO of the Improving Population Health Programme. He was elected lead spokesperson for Solace for Economic Prosperity in October 2020; having been deputy lead for Health and Social Care for the previous two years. 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 and prior to that worked in local government and the Probation Service in East London. Robin is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an honorary life member of the Faculty of Public Health and a Trustee of the Lankelly Chase Foundation . Thursday 16 October 2025 11:15–11:25 Presidents Opening Speech Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session Friday 17 October 20225 12:50–13:00 President's Closing Speech Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

All Speakers Hayley Hamlett Director of HR & Corporate Affairs Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Shaping Communities – How Leaders Unlock Social and Economic Value Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Ita O'DonovanAssociate < Speakers < Previous Next > Ita O'Donovan Associate Solace Ita O’Donovan worked with a City Council 2023-2021 in the interim roles of Strategic Director and Corporate Director and was a core member of the Corporate Management Team. She has had a career as a Local Authority Chief Executive in unitary authorities in London and the Midlands (2010-2002). She worked for the University of Birmingham within the School of Public Policy from 1985 to 1996 in the academic field of public management. During that period she worked extensively with national,… Show More

Mark HepworthCo-Founder & PBII Lead < Speakers < Previous Next > Mark Hepworth Co-Founder & PBII Lead The Good Economy Mark Hepworth is the co-Founder of The Good Economy and leads the firm’s place-based impact investing work. He is a multidisciplinary economist and entrepreneur whose international career spans academia, public policy and business consulting. Mark’s work over 40 years has focused on innovation and new paradigms for economic development. He also directs The Good Economy's research and policy work on inclusive and sustainable development. Radical innovation as a driver of economic and social change across cities, regions and countries has… Show More

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Hall A, Royal Armouries 15:45–16:25 Workshop Leading with Purpose: Exploring the Nexus of Strategy and Leadership in Local Government Speaker/s Dr Mariana Pexton, Deputy Chief Executive, Leeds City Council Given the complex challenges facing local government, this case study research examines the features of senior officer leadership in relation to strategy development and delivery. Hear about the findings and what that might mean for leadership practice. The study investigated existing leadership and strategy literature, including that specifically about the public sector, and explored the use and potential value of adaptive leadership and strategic intent as subsets of the broader subjects. This research investigated the relevance of these concepts in local government, as well as the relationship between them in theory and practice. This study was qualitative, undertaking semi-structured interviews with the top team, and using reflexive thematic analysis to generate findings. Participants in this research have distinct roles with different statutory responsibilities, as well as generic strategic leadership functions, with the data showing a strong degree of consistency as well as diverse perspectives. Findings included leadership and strategy being purpose driven, adaptable and delivery focused, also noting the importance of organisational culture, combined system and organisational leadership, and equality, diversity and inclusion. The findings also highlighted the significant role of the Chief Executive on the nexus of strategy and leadership, including setting a constructive organisational culture and convening key partner relationships, and the data demonstrated that strategic intent and adaptive leadership are used and useful in a local government context. The research concluded strong alignment between the data and literature, making a unique contribution to the literature gap about the leadership and strategy in local government, about the interrelationship between adaptive leadership and strategic intent, and their application in local government given the contemporary challenges faced. Given this was a professional doctorate, the conclusions provide recommendations for leadership and strategy, as well as further research opportunities in the public sector given the literature gap. The thesis is not publishable in order to protect the anonymity and confidentiality of participants; however the general findings and conclusions can be shared as a way of stimulating further debate and providing constructive insight about approaches to leadership and strategy given the challenging context the sector faces. Takeaways Gain insight from recent academic research (through a professional doctorate) about strategy and leadership in the sector given the challenges facing the sector. Hear the findings from the research to stimulate reflection about organisational and system leadership practice and development. Be part of a conversation that informs wider leadership thinking in the sector. Delivered by

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Asia and Africa Gallery, Royal Armouries 19:15–20:00 Summit Presidential Drinks Reception

Angela BarniclePublic Practice Non-Executive Director and Chief Officer Asset Management & Regeneration < Speakers < Previous Next > Angela Barnicle Public Practice Non-Executive Director and Chief Officer Asset Management & Regeneration Leeds City Council Angela has a passion for cities and economic development and with it, delivering transformational change and inclusive growth. Having worked extensively across the UK advising on large-scale city development and transport schemes, organisational design and place positioning, Angela now leads the Asset Management and Regeneration Service for Leeds City Council. There, she focuses on realising the development opportunities and optimum real estate solutions to support the city's growth. The Service is currently engaged in Place Programmes across the city, including… Show More