Search this site

< Back Previous Org, Exhibitor, Breakout, Sponsor Commercial Services Group https://commercialservicesgroup.com/ Stand 18 Commercial Services Group is owned by the public sector, for the public sector. We collaborate with local authorities nationwide to help people live, learn and thrive. From energy and environment to procurement, talent, and education, we deliver sustainable solutions that strengthen communities and maximise social impact in challenging times. Next

Devolution and LGR Zone 11:10–11:20 The Human Impact of LGR Rewiring the State Previous The Human Impact of LGR with Paul Robinson, Strategic Director for LGR, Nottinghamshire County Council. Next

Welcome 10:30–10:40 Liverpool Welcome Main Stage Andrew Lewis, Chief Executive, Liverpool City Council Read More Previous More information to follow. Next

Showcase Zone 13:00–13:10 Amplify Cohort 5: Organisational Change and Equity: Beyond Rhetoric Rewiring the State Paul Amann, Principal Officer for Employment and Skills, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Read More Bev Thomas, Adviser, Procurement and Commissioning, Local Government Association Read More Previous Topic: Lost Voices Join Bev and Paul for an interactive conversation exploring whose voices are heard during times of organisational change and whose perspectives may be unintentionally missed. Drawing on personal leadership experiences and audience reflection, they will examine how decision-making, transformation and competing organisational pressures can leave some voices unheard. Because meaningful change is not just about making decisions; it is about creating the conditions for people to be heard, valued and involved in shaping the changes that affect them most. Next

Breakout 15:30–16:30 Breakout: Future Places: Turning Devolution Ambition Into Delivery South West Marcus Richards, Partner, Strategy and Transactions, EY Read More Philip Dobson, Partner, Strategy and Transactions, EY Read More Previous Devolution is entering a new phase. Combined and local authorities have greater responsibility for shaping growth, attracting investment and reforming public services, but against a backdrop of constrained resources, rising demand, economic and geopolitical volatility and increasing expectations of what places must deliver. So what will distinguish the places that succeed? This interactive session will explore the characteristics of the Future Place and the choices leaders need to make now to turn ambition into tangible outcomes. Drawing on EY’s work with places across the UK and globally, we will explore four interconnected questions: How places become genuinely investable, translating ambition into propositions capable of attracting capital; How they identify and accelerate their distinctive sources of growth; How public services can become more integrated and productive; and, How data, technology and AI can create more intelligent places. This will be a collaborative session where together, we’ll test what these ideas mean in practice, explore the barriers currently preventing places from moving at pace, and identify the interventions, partnerships and capabilities that could make the greatest difference. Join us to help shape the conversation about what the next generation of place leadership looks like, and how we move from ambition to delivery. Next

Previous Next Andrew Lewis Chief Executive, Liverpool City Council Andrew joined Liverpool City Council as Chief Executive in May 2023. Andrew’s focus is on delivering further fundamental change at the Council; strengthening partnerships within and beyond Liverpool; improving the quality of local services; and delivering on the city’s potential for regeneration, economic and housing growth. He chairs Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, the city’s innovation district, and is a board member of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside. For the previous five years Andrew was Chief Executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council. This followed fourteen years in the North East of England in local government and regional economic roles, and fourteen years as a Senior Economic Adviser in HM Treasury. He is proud to now serve the people of Liverpool. 10:30–10:40 Main Stage Liverpool Welcome Welcome View Session Speakers: Andrew Lewis , Chief Executive, Liverpool City Council

Previous Next Ben Dyson Director, Integrated Care & Care Pathways Ben is the DHSC Director for Integrated Care and Care Partnerships in the Adult Social Care (ASC) Group. His current portfolio includes coordinating the government’s medium-term ASC reforms, sponsoring the independent commission on adult social care, and supporting closer integration of health and social care services. Ben has worked in a wide range of policy and strategy roles in DHSC, NHS England and NHS Improvement. His previous roles have included being programme director for the NHS People Plan, director of strategy for NHS Improvement (where he was closely involved in the early development of integrated care systems), and DHSC director of primary care in the early 2010s. 14:00–15:00 Main Stage The Future of Health and Care: Reform, Partnership and Place Sub Plenary View Session Speakers: Alison Barker , Chief Executive, North Lincolnshire Council and Solace Deputy Policy Lead for Health and Social Care (Chair) Ben Dyson , Director, Integrated Care and Care Partnerships, Adult Social Care Group, Department of Health and Social Care Samantha Allen CBE , Chief Executive, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board

Previous Next Lindsey Pearce Head of Learning, Inclusion and Organisational Development, Brighton and Hove City Council Following a career change from TV production, Lindsey Pearce joined Brighton and Hove City Council as Training Administrator in 2005 and progressed through officer and manager posts to become Head of Learning, Inclusion and Organisational Development in 2023. A committed ally, natural innovator, and open and inclusive communicator, Lindsey heads up equality, diversity and inclusion and the council’s Learning Organisation culture shift programme. Lindsey believes passionately in individual capacity for growth and the need for courage in driving change for staff and residents. As a neurodivergent co-parent with a long-term mental health condition, Lindsey is a powerful advocate for the compassionate and inclusive approach to leadership and management that has been instrumental in her own career development at the Council. 13:15–13:25 Rewiring the State Brighton and Hove: Transforming into a Learning Organisation Showcase View Session Speakers: Jess Gibbons , Chief Executive, Brighton and Hove City Council Lindsey Pearce , Head of Learning, Inclusion and Organisational Development, Brighton and Hove City Council

Previous Next Emma Palmer Chief Executive, Powys County Council, and Solace Wales Branch Vice Chair Emma Palmer is the Chief Executive of Powys County Council, providing strategic leadership across one of the largest and most complex rural authorities in Wales. Emma joined the council in 1999 and has built her career from the ground up. She spent over 20 years in Social Services, developing a deep understanding of frontline delivery, safeguarding and system leadership, before moving into senior corporate roles across Education, Housing, Transport, Strategy, Performance and Transformation. Her career progression reflects both depth and breadth. Emma has held a range of senior leadership posts including Head of Strategic Policy and Performance, Head of Transformation and Communications, and Head of Strategy, Performance and Transformation Programmes, before progressing to Corporate Director and, ultimately, Chief Executive. Emma is recognised for her focus on outcomes, governance and improvement, particularly in challenging regulatory and financial environments. She has led major transformation programmes, strengthened performance discipline, and worked closely with elected members, regulators and national partners to drive improvement and restore organisational confidence. Alongside her public service career, Emma is a working mum and a business partner in successful rural enterprises, including CCM Agri & Livery and CCM Valais Blacknose. Balancing senior leadership with family life and business responsibilities has shaped her approach to leadership; pragmatic, values‑led and grounded in real‑world decision‑making. Emma is a strong advocate of coaching and mentoring, is particularly interested in helping aspiring leaders navigate the transition from functional expertise to system leadership, manage complexity, and lead with clarity under pressure. Emma brings a practical perspective to mentoring. She believes leadership is learned through experience, reflection and honest conversation, not theory alone. Her focus is on helping future leaders lead well, act with integrity, and deliver tangible improvement for the communities they serve. 10:00–11:00 Main Stage Beyond Barriers: Authentic Women’s Leadership in Local Government Panel Session View Session What does it take to lead when barriers to leadership are not experienced equally? Beyond Barriers explores the challenges women and people from other minoritised communities face in senior local government leadership, including discrimination, exclusion and workplace cultures. Building on previous research, this engaging, honest conversation will examine why inequalities persist, while celebrating leaders and organisations driving positive change. Speakers will share experiences, challenge assumptions and explore practical ways to create more inclusive leadership cultures.

Showcase Zone 09:10–09:20 Amplify Cohort 5: Organisational Change and Equity: Beyond Rhetoric Rewiring the State André K. Small, Customer Service (CSAT and Complaints), Epping Forest District Council Read More Nikita Hunt, Policy Officer, Test Valley Borough Council Read More Previous Topic: Intersectionality as a Reality Join André and Nikita for a thought-provoking exploration of intersectionality through storytelling and a short interactive skit. Drawing on personal and professional experiences, they examine how our identities and lived experiences influence the way we navigate organisations, communities, and public services. This session will encourage reflection on inclusion, belonging, and the importance of recognising the complexity of individual experiences. Next

< Back Previous Org Solace https://solace.org.uk More information to come. Next

Previous Next Simon Allsop Delivery Director, CIPFA Simon Allsop is a CIPFA Delivery Director with over 30 years of experience across local and central government, having held senior roles at KPMG and as Director of Resources for Derbyshire Police and Fire. He has also led major programmes for the NAO, Audit Commission and Police and Fire integration. He leads on the delivery of the MHCLG financial resilience and governance reviews and is a key member of the MHCLG Sector Support Steering Group for LGR, has developed turnaround and recovery plans, and supported councils on S114 issues, savings plans and improvement board assurance. He has strong expertise in financial management, capability assessments, workforce planning and governance. 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