John O'HalloranDirector Business Advisory and Consultancy < Speakers < Previous Next > John O'Halloran Director Business Advisory and Consultancy CIPFA John is a highly experienced business manager and management consultant with over 30 years’ experience in both the private and public sectors, now leading CIPFA’s consultancy service. Recently John has helped shape and drive a major cost reduction UK wide programme for police sector, Achieving Finance Excellence in Policing. John has also worked for large civil service departments and every type of local authority in the UK.

Adrian CooperCEO < Speakers < Previous Next > Adrian Cooper CEO Oxford Economics Adrian Cooper is responsible for coordinating and managing Oxford Economics' global economic analysis, forecasting and consultancy activities, and overseeing its global team of over 550 professionals including more than 350 economists and analysts. He has led Oxford Economics' work on a wide array of projects, ranging from policy advice to government departments in Europe, the US, Africa, and Asia to detailed analysis of the economic impact of particular industries and investment proposals. Adrian spent the first seven years of his… Show More

Sarah NormanChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Sarah Norman Chief Executive Barnsley Metropolitian Borough Council Chief Executive of Barnsley Council since 2019 and previously Chief Executive of Dudley Council between 2015 and 2019. Before that Sarah's background was in Adults and Children’s services and she was previously both the DASS and the DCS at the City of Wolverhampton. Sarah has also spent periods of time in central government agencies and the voluntary sector and did two terms as an elected member in Liverpool in the 1990s. Passionate about making a difference in our places, she… Show More

Kathryn ReesExecutive Director for Corporate and Support Services < Speakers < Previous Next > Kathryn Rees Executive Director for Corporate and Support Services Stockport 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. Kathryn is currently the Executive Director for Corporate and Support Services in Stockport Council, where she has responsibility for strategy, digital, communications, workforce, finance, legal and community engagement. She is also leading the development of Stockroom, a project to transform vacant retail units into a new innovative space for… Show More

Jo PittLocal Government Policy Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Jo Pitt Local Government Policy Manager CIPFA Joanne Pitt is an experienced local government adviser and has 25 years of public sector experience. She was responsible for the delivery of the CIPFA Financial Management Code and is an advocate of strong financial management and good governance. She is a national speaker and author of numerous publications on topics such as government funding, housing and financial sustainability.  Through her work with CFOs across the country she supports local government improvement and reform using data analysis and strong evidence-based… Show More

Penny CalderProgramme Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Penny Calder Programme Manager The North Essex Economic Board (NEEB) & Braintree District Council Penny Calder is a Programme Manager at Braintree District Council, a certified project manager with over a decade’s worth of experience working in a range of sectors from local government to social housing.  A proud graduate of Anglia Ruskin University, inspired to pursue a career in project managing after leading several successful large organisational change programmes. Prior to working at Braintree District Council, they were in social housing where they were responsible for a social value and homelessness. Penny uses her positive… Show More

Paulette McAllisterProgramme Director Strategic Housing Delivery Programme < Speakers < Previous Next > Paulette McAllister Programme Director Strategic Housing Delivery Programme Brentwood Borough Council Paulette has over 30 years’ experience in the Built Environment. As an accredited advisor to Public and Private Sectors she has a strong track record in place-making and urban design, including regeneration strategies for new settlements and urban extensions across the Southeast. Her longstanding role supporting local government in the UK also involves acting as an external consultee and advisor in the delivery of high-quality homes and Placemaking. She currently also acts as Programme Director for the Strategic Housing Development… Show More

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

Dr William BurnsSocial Care Policy Advisor < Speakers < Previous Next > Dr William Burns Social Care Policy Advisor CIPFA William leads on CIPFA’s work in adult and children’s social care. His work focuses on sustainable social care reform, and he has produced thought leadership in the areas of charging reform, children’s social care reform, Scotland’s National Care Service, social care funding, and demand management.

Monique DavidsonVice President of Taituarā and Chief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Monique Davidson Vice President of Taituarā and Chief Executive Horowhenua District Council Monique Davidson was the youngest local government chief executive in New Zealand, appointed at the age of 29. She is currently the Chief Executive at Horowhenua District Council. Born and bred in Levin, Monique completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University of Wellington. Monique served at Horowhenua District Council for seven years in several Senior Management roles before starting as Chief Executive at Central Hawke’s Bay District Council in June 2016. Monique is a… Show More

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

Brendan ArnoldInterim Finance Director & Section 151 Officer < Speakers < Previous Next > Brendan Arnold Interim Finance Director & Section 151 Officer Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Brendan has worked across Local Government, Police, Transport and the Civil Service for over 35 years including 18 years at Director level. As former Section 151 Officer in the cities of Birmingham, Hull and Plymouth Brendan was invited earlier this year to support Woking Council in its recent difficulties where he issued a Section 114 Notice in June 2023 and working with DLUHC and Commissioners undertook the ground work for the Borough’s next phase of recovery. Presently, Brendan is Interim… Show More