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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.

Dominic CollinsCorporate Director Growth & NEEB Lead < Speakers < Previous Next > Dominic Collins Corporate Director Growth & NEEB Lead Braintree District Council Dominic has spent over 20 years working in the public sector in roles across national and local government. Having begun his career in Whitehall, Dominic spent 15 years at Essex County Council working in various roles, including in the authority’s cabinet office, communications team and supporting the bid and delivery of the London 2012 Games. Dominic’s main focus at the council was supporting economic growth, skills development and housing delivery across the county, with his last role as Director responsible… Show More

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Hall A, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Cross-party Working Against a Backdrop of No Overall Control Speaker/s Kathryn Rees, Executive Director Corporate and Support Services, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Vicki Bates, Assistant Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Session Outline and Objectives Running a council with no overall control isn’t just a challenge – it’s a daily balancing act. But in Stockport, it’s become a powerful catalyst for bold decisions, strong partnerships, and real transformation. In this session, Kathryn Rees lifts the lid on what it really takes to lead in such an environment. She’ll take you through the council’s pragmatic, mature approach to cross-party working – from the gritty governance and robust scrutiny, to the softer stuff like induction, communication and trust-building. You’ll learn how Stockport’s councillors and officers work together – across party lines – to make decisions that stick and get things done. The results speak for themselves: £1bn invested in the town centre, a thriving integrated Stockport Family model, and consistently resilient budgets. All achieved without a single party holding the reins. We’ll cover: What effective cross-party working looks like in real life How pre-decision scrutiny can improve outcomes, not delay them The structures and relationships that help area governance flourish Why the Leader–Chief Executive relationship is just one part of the story How consistent member engagement builds resilience and trust. This session isn’t theory. It’s practical, proven, and built from the ground up. Takeaways Learn how to lead effectively in a politically diverse council Understand the structures and behaviours that make cross-party working thrive See how a collaborative culture enables long-term transformation Take away ideas you can apply – whether you’re in overall control or not Delivered by

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Marc StearsDirector < Speakers < Previous Next > Marc Stears Director UCL Policy Lab Marc Stears is an internationally regarded academic, political strategist, speechwriter and executive educator, who specialises in creating dynamic collaborations between academic researchers and broader society. Currently the inaugural Director of the UCL Policy Lab, Marc has previously been Director of the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney, CEO of the New Economics Foundation, Professor of political theory at the University of Oxford and chief speechwriter to the UK Labour Party. He enjoys a worldwide reputation as a leadership coach… Show More

Jonathan StephensonJoint Chief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Jonathan Stephenson Joint Chief Executive Brentwood Borough Council & Rochford District Council Jonathan has worked within local government for over 25 years, predominantly undertaking senior leadership roles, across a range of different organisations, Ipswich Borough Council, The London Borough of Enfield, Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council. Jonathan is currently Joint Chief Executive at Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council. Working more widely in Essex he is also the lead CEO for Housing and Infrastructure for the Association of South East Essex Local Authorities… Show More

Jon PriceExecutive Director - People, Adults, Health & Housing < Speakers < Previous Next > Jon Price Executive Director - People, Adults, Health & Housing Dorset Council Jon is an experienced Director of Adult Social Services who has worked across local government, health and the private sector. He has over 25 years’ experience working across the public sector and has delivered programmes of transformation and improvement across a range of Councils from London Boroughs to large rural unitary authorities and through integrated services with the NHS. Jon has extensive experience in building partnerships across the public, private and voluntary sectors at a systems level. In recent years he has… Show More

Mark LawrenceICT Service and Operations Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Mark Lawrence ICT Service and Operations Manager Stroud District Council Mark Lawrence's career has been based around Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Mark started as an apprentice and then became a Service Desk Support Technician after a year. He then delved into the Infrastructure and Security side of the industry for the next 12 years before reaching management level. Mark's current role is ICT Security and Operations Manager. When he applied for Amplify, he was the Service Delivery Manager. The change to my job role means I am now responsible… Show More

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries 14:15–14:55 Sub Plenary Local Power, National Plan: Delivering the 10-Year Health Strategy Chair John Clarke, Head of Client Solution – Healthcare, Netcall Speaker/s Tom Stannard, Chief Executive, Manchester City Council, and Solace Policy Lead for Health & Social Care Dr Owen Williams OBE, Chief Executive, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust This session will examine the strategic and policy dimensions of the 10-Year Health Plan, focusing on its implications for local government leadership, planning, and delivery. As national health priorities shift toward prevention, integration, and place-based approaches, local authorities are being called upon to play a more central role in shaping population health outcomes. Expect candid discussion on leadership, collaboration, and the role of local authorities in driving health equity and innovation.

< Back Previous Exhibitor, Sponsor ICS.AI https://www.ics.ai Stand 7 ICS.AI is the UK's fastest-growing profitable AI business, transforming public sector services through our unified AI platforms, and helping LGR councils deliver safe, legal and financially viable new unitaries by vesting day. Our AI solutions are trusted nationwide, with customers including Cheshire East, Renfrewshire, and Derby City Councils. Next

Nadira HussainChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Nadira Hussain Chief Executive Socitm An established ICT and change management leader, NED and coach with 30 years’ experience, Nadira has worked primarily in local government; leading the ICT and digital service, managing wider teams including business improvement, transformation and customer services. Nadira has implemented numerous complex change programmes across shared services to deliver new operating models, efficiencies and service improvement. At Socitm, Nadira is keen to support members shape and deliver effective public services through improved use and adoption of technologies, data and digital… Show More