Hal KhanomHead of Strategy and Community Participation < Speakers < Previous Next > Hal Khanom Head of Strategy and Community Participation London Borough of Barnet Hal is a strategist and service designer who works alongside communities to develop new solutions to increasingly complex challenges. She rethinks systems, the ways we work and how we relate to the place around us, to support democratic renewal and greater fairness. Translating ideas into delivery, she has lead work at neighbourhood level that creates the conditions for inclusive economies; leading socioeconomic projects and programmes in inner and outer London in local government, and across the most disadvantaged areas in… Show More

Alex GovierPartnerships Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Alex Govier Partnerships Manager Public Practice Alex is the Partnerships Manager at Public Practice. He works closely with Local Authorities and the wider Public Sector to understand their challenges regarding resourcing, capacity building, funding, and delivery. Alex started his career at the House of Commons, working in an MP’s office to support the community they represented. In Parliament, he developed a passion for the inclusive design of places and an understanding of how Local Government can address inequalities and social mobility through placemaking. Since then, Alex… Show More

Day One Day Two Previous Next Friday 17 October 20225 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 12:50–13:00 President's Closing Speech Speaker/s Robin Tuddenham, President of Solace and Chief Executive, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Ruth du PlessisDirector of Public Health < Speakers < Previous Next > Ruth du Plessis Director of Public Health St Helens Borough Council Ruth has worked at St Helens Borough Council since 2019 and became Director of Public Health in April 2021. Her background is nursing and health visiting. She also spent a few years in South Africa where she provided palliative care to HIV and AIDs patients in a poor, rural community. After returning to the UK, Ruth studied for a Masters in Applied Public Health and worked in several roles across the north of England before joining St Helens Borough Council… Show More

Denise McGuckinManaging Director at Hartlepool Borough Council and Civil & Community Resilience Policy Lead at Solace < Speakers < Previous Next > Denise McGuckin Managing Director at Hartlepool Borough Council and Civil & Community Resilience Policy Lead at Solace Denise has over 27 years’ experience in Local Government, all with Hartlepool Borough Council. She has had various roles include Environmental Services Manager, Neighbourhood Manager, Community Safety Partnership lead, Assistant Director for Environment and Neighbourhoods, Director for Regeneration and Neighbourhoods. Prior to this she worked in the private sector in hospitality.

Florence ObinnaHead of Insight & Engagement < Speakers < Previous Next > Florence Obinna Head of Insight & Engagement London Borough of Hackney Florence brings more than 17 years in local government roles and leads a multi-disciplinary team responsible for delivering high-quality opinion research, public consultation and stakeholder engagement at Hackney Council. Florence was LGComms Future Leaders Graduate in the class of 2019-2020 and has co-authored the Keep London Safe Campaign COVID-19 Insight Toolkit. Florence is passionate about increasing the participation of diverse communities in democracy ensuring that they are able to influence what happens in their local areas.

Richard GawthorpeGroup Business Development Director < Speakers < Previous Next > Richard Gawthorpe Group Business Development Director Norse Group As Norse Group Business Development Director, Richard is at the forefront of driving strategic client retention, acquiring new clients, and fostering revenue growth, all with a strong focus on sustainability and environmental consciousness. With over 30 years of experience in the built environment for private and public sectors, he understands that achieving a net-zero carbon future requires collaborative efforts and innovative solutions. Richard is known for his ability to cultivate long-term relationships and joint venture partnerships, which are crucial to… Show More

Stand TBC < Back Hill www.hill.co.uk Our vision is to be the UK’s leading and most trusted housebuilder, creating exceptional homes and sustainable communities. Since we were founded in 1999, we have established ourselves as the country’s second largest family-owned house builder with a reputation as the partner of choice for local authorities and housing associations. We deliver around 3,000 new homes per annum as well as mixed-use development which helps to regenerate town centres providing a catalyst for further investment. Being financially robust gives our partners further confidence we will deliver on any promises made. Investment Partnerships Hill has adopted an innovative Investment Partnership approach to jointly develop land with local authorities and is delivering at scale. Why: It was established to provide solutions for local authorities to optimise opportunities from their property assets as well as from land jointly acquired What: It generates long-term council revenue, affordable housing and regeneration at pace Where: It is a tried and tested model that is delivering across the south-east Solohaus Our fully modular Solohaus, Duohaus and Familyhaus homes are a low-carbon, quick-install solution for tackling the issue of homelessness. Through the Foundation 200 project we are also donating homes to local authorities. Sustainability We collaboratively deliver environmental and socio-economic actions to improve the health, well-being and lifestyle of residents and communities to support a Just Transition. Social Value Hill places people at the heart of everything it does, working with local authorities to create tangible social value that positively impacts communities. Our strategy targets education to employment, local business support, and community health and belonging.

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

All Speakers Chris Naylor Solace Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Chris Naylor is a respected public service leader and reformer with over 25 years’ experience transforming local government. Formerly Chief Executive of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, he led nationally recognised work on inclusive growth, civic engagement, and prevention. In 2020, he was seconded to Birmingham City Council to help steer the organisation through the pandemic and preparations for the Commonwealth Games, earning recognition as Municipal Journal’s Chief Executive of the Year . Now Managing Director at Inner Circle Consulting, Chris supports public institutions to design and deliver lasting social impact and financial sustainability. He also serves as a Trustee of the Design Council and childhood trauma charity Body & Soul. A Chartered Accountant and Cambridge graduate in Social and Political Sciences, Chris combines financial acumen with a passion for people, place and public purpose, advocating for bold, values-driven reform to create thriving, equitable communities. Thursday 16 October 2025 11:35–12:15 Equity and Purpose – Progress, Possibility and the Path Ahead Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session