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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 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 11:25–11:35 Finding Home in Halifax: Stella's Story Delivered by

Previous Next Sam Hartley Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, The Electoral Commission Sam is the Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement. He leads the Commission’s work to understand and analyse the challenges to well-run elections and referendums in the UK, and the Commission's extensive programme of voter education and engagement. This includes: our comprehensive reports on elections and referendums our wide-ranging research programme on electoral registration and participation our detailed analysis of policy and legislation proposed by the UK’s governments leading the programme of work with schools, and other civic bodies and partners, to deliver education and resources about engaging in the democratic process Sam joined the Commission in 2025, having previously established and led the statutory public inquiry into the Omagh bombing. He had previously also been Director of Policy, Research and Analysis and Deputy Secretary at the UK Covid-19 public inquiry. Sam has a background in senior leadership in the public sector, having led arm's length bodies in the constitutional and transport fields. He has held other senior roles in healthcare and constitutional regulators, as well as in the Cabinet Office. Sam is a board member of both the Boundary Commission for Wales and the Association of Chief Executives. 11:45–12:45 Main Stage Local Choices, National Consequences: What May’s Elections Tell Us About Britain’s Democratic Future Keynote View Session Speakers: Sir John Curtice , British political scientist and professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde Sam Hartley , Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, The Electoral Commission

All Speakers Evelyn John Inner Circle Consulting Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45-16:25 Test, Learn and Grow: How Do We Build a Movement? Hotot Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Presidential Address 10:40–10:55 President's Opening Speech Main Stage Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Read More Previous More information to follow. Next

All Speakers Mark Rogers Chief Executive, The Leadership Centre Mark has extensive leadership experience across education, local, regional and national government. He has been a teacher and head teacher in a variety of special schools between 1985 and 2001. Subsequently, in local government, he became a Director of Children’s Services (Solihull 2006-09) and twice a council Chief Executive (Solihull 2007-14 and Birmingham 2014-17). Following 15 months of consultancy work with KPMG and CollaborateCIC, in June 2018 Mark became Director General for Children, Young People, Education and Skills for the Government of Jersey. In January 2022, Mark moved back to the UK to become chief executive of the Leadership Centre and, since August 2023, he complemented this role first with leading the team tasked with establishing the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (2023-25) and presently supporting the establishment of the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (2025 -ongoing). Friday 17 October 20225 10:00–10:50 Storming and Forming: The Creation of Combined and Strategic Authorities Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

Kath O'DwyerChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Kath O'Dwyer Chief Executive St Helen’s Borough Council Kath joined St Helens Borough Council in March 2020 as Chief Executive. Prior to this she held the Chief Executive role in Cheshire East Council for 3½ years. Kath has worked in local government for most of her career (38+years), working in several North West local authorities including Lancashire, Rochdale, Knowsley, Halton, and Warrington councils. During this time Kath also worked as National Director in Ofsted and for 3 years was part of a government commissioned intervention team in Stoke-on… Show More

Sarah WarrenSEND/EHCP Advisor < Speakers < Previous Next > Sarah Warren SEND/EHCP Advisor Agilisys Sarah is the SEND/EHCP Advisor at Agilisys Transform, on the EHCP Plus solution. Before joining Agilisys, Sarah spent over 14 years working in local authority SEND teams as a Caseworker and EHC Plan Writer, as well as previously as a teacher in a SEND school. Work has been for over 15 different local authorities, giving insight into different ways of working and EHC Plan styles and formats. Sarah has been working closely with the team at Agilisys to help develop and optimise… Show More

Devolution and LGR Zone 09:10–09:20 Devolution and LGR Drop-in with Solace Associates, Georgia Turner and Ian Bancroft Rewiring the State Georgia Turner, Solace Associate Read More Ian Bancroft, Solace Associate Read More Previous Drop in for an informal conversation about devolution and local government reorganisation with the Solace team and associates. Next

Previous Next Paul Robinson Strategic Director for LGR, Nottinghamshire County Council Paul Robinson is an experienced Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) leader, having played senior roles in both the Cumbria and Nottinghamshire LGR programmes. As Director of Enabler Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, he led over 450 staff and managed a £34m budget across HR, ICT, Digital, Customer Services, Legal Services and Cyber Security. He led some of the most complex elements of the Cumbria reorganisation, including the transition of almost 7,000 employees and the separation and integration of multiple ICT environments. As SIRO, he ensured robust governance, data protection and cyber security throughout, delivering safe, legal and resilient organisational transformation. 11:30–12:30 Main Stage Breakout: Ensuring success whilst Surviving LGR: Lived Experiences of Delivering Major Transformation Breakout View Session Speakers: Jessica Mullinger , Executive Director of Sector Support, Solace in Business (Co-chair) Simon Allsop , Delivery Director, CIPFA (Co-chair) Dr David Parr OBE , Former Chief Executive, Halton Borough Council Paul Robinson , Strategic Director for LGR, Nottinghamshire County Council

Networking 19:15–20:00 Presidential Drinks Reception Rum Warehouse Robin Tuddenham, Solace President and Chief Executive, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Read More Previous More information to follow. Next

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