Maria CastellinaDirector of Impact < Speakers < Previous Next > Maria Castellina Director of Impact Frameworks UK Maria is Director of Impact at FrameWorks UK, a not-for-profit organisation which collaborates with charities and other mission-driven organisations to communicate about social issues in ways that will create change. Maria supports partners to utilise FrameWorks innovative framing research to change hearts and minds. Because we know that when we change the story, we can change the world. Maria has spent her career finding the right words to persuade, influence and inspire social and political change. With over fifteen years… Show More

All Speakers Tracey Anderson Head of Scrutiny and Ward Forums, London Borough of Hackney Tracey has built a diverse career spanning both the public and private sectors, with experience in financial services, council governance and scrutiny. As Head of Scrutiny and Ward Forums in Hackney, she has dedicated nearly two decades to governance and scrutiny. In her role as the statutory scrutiny officer, Tracey oversees the council’s Overview and Scrutiny function, leading a well-regarded scrutiny team that collaborates with councillors, officers, partners and residents to develop and implement a comprehensive scrutiny work programme. Her leadership has shaped council and partner organisation policies, strategies, and service improvements while navigating complex and contentious issues. Her team has been recognised as a leading example of championing a more inclusive approach to governance and strengthening democratic accountability in local public services. Tracey has also played a key role in developing ward-level community engagement for councillors. Under her strategic leadership, ward forums have strengthened councillors’ community leadership roles, fostered stronger connections between elected representatives and their ward communities, and facilitated community action at a local level. Her work has brought local decision-making to the heart of the community, developing strong networks of local partners, organisations and residents and providing a platform for local engagement and conversation. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Future-Ready Councils: If we can share a problem, we can share a solution Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Go to session

Day One Day Two Previous Next Friday 17 October 20225 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 10:00–10:50 Panel Storming and Forming: The Creation of Combined and Strategic Authorities Speaker/s Dr Henry Kippin, Chief Executive, North East Combined Authority Amy Harhoff, Chief Executive, East Midlands Combined County Authority Mark Rogers, Chief Executive, The Leadership Centre As devolution continues to reshape the landscape of local government, combined and strategic authorities are taking centre stage in driving growth, inclusion, and reform. But what does it take to build one from the ground up — and how should they look, lead, and operate to truly deliver on their promise? In this session, leaders who have been at the forefront of creating new combined authorities will share the realities behind the headlines — from early “storming” stages of partnership building, governance, and vision-setting, through to the ongoing work of forming strong, purpose-driven organisations. Together, they’ll explore what effective leadership looks like in these complex, multi-tiered systems, the lessons learned along the way, and what this evolving model of place leadership means for the future of local government.

All Speakers Kersten England CBE Chair, The Young Foundation; Director of Engagement, Bradford 2025, Yorkshire Universities An experienced executive and non executive leader, Kersten has been Chair of The Young Foundation since September 2022. Passionate about building community, social justice, equality, diversity and healthy democratic practice, her career over four decades has included work in the voluntary and community sector, higher education, central government and more than 30 years in local government. Between 2009 and 2023 she was a local authority Chief Executive, initially in York for six years and latterly eight years for the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council. Kersten’s current portfolio of work includes: Chair of the Bradford Culture Company, which will deliver the programme for Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture in 2025; Trustee of the National Literacy Trust; a consultant for the Association of Local Authority Chief Executives; Co-Director of the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership; and she is a lay canon of Bradford Cathedral. Previously, Kersten was a Trustee of Nesta, a member of the Archbishop of York’s symposium on social and economic affairs, and the President of the Society of Metropolitan Chief Executives. Kersten was awarded a CBE in the 2019 New Years Honours for her contribution to the communities and economy of the Bradford District. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45–16:25 Public Collaborations: What are they for? Who does all the work? How long do they last? And who really benefits? Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Daniel MouawadChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Daniel Mouawad Chief Executive Spelthorne Borough Council Daniel was appointed Chief Executive of Spelthorne Borough Council in 2017 and has been at the forefront of pioneering initiatives that the authority has delivered for its communities. In 2021, Spelthorne became the first local authority in the country to convert part of its active civic building into affordable housing for residents. Annually, the council's commercial property investment work has invested over £10 million pounds into key community support services. This autumn, the authority will be opening the world's largest… Show More

All Speakers Kamal Patel Partner in EY-Parthenon’s Infrastructure Advisory Pactice, EY Kamal is a Partner in EY’s Infrastructure Advisory practice, having joined from the Department for Transport, where he was the head of Corporate Finance, Real Estate and shareholding.  At EY, Kamal’s primary focus is on working with regional and national public sector clients to unlock economic growth by leveraging private finance to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure.  Kamal has over 25 years’ experience bringing together his unique background of being an advisor, lender and Government transactions principal for infrastructure projects. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Investing in Place to Build Financial Resilience Aire Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Tom StannardChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Tom Stannard Chief Executive Salford City Council Tom’s professional background is in regeneration, economic development and skills.  From 2018-21 he was Wakefield Council’s Corporate Director of Regeneration and Economic Growth, a key member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in one of the fastest growing economies within the Leeds City Region, the UK’s biggest economic area outside London.  His previous career roles include Director of Economy and Skills at Oldham Council in Greater Manchester, Deputy Chief Executive of the UK Learning and Work Institute, and senior leadership… Show More

Alison Mckenzie-Folan Solace Policy Lead and Chief Executive, Wigan Metropolitain Borough Council < Speakers < Previous Next > Alison Mckenzie-Folan Solace Policy Lead and Chief Executive, Wigan Metropolitain Borough Council Wigan Metropolitain Borough Council & Solace Alison is Chief Executive at Wigan Council having worked in Local Government for the last twelve years and previously in the Civil Service for twenty years. Alison is also the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) lead Chief Executive for Culture. Alison is passionate about public services and determined to make a difference for residents and communities. She is dedicated to inspiring the next female generation and committed to collaboration, innovation and technology. She is a Board Member of Solace (Society… Show More

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

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 16:30–17:30 Keynote Empowering the Vulnerable: Lemn Sissay's Journey of Advocacy and Change Speaker/s Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL, Playwright, memoirist, performer and broadcaster Join Lemn Sissay, acclaimed poet and tireless advocate, as he delves into his transformative journey from a child in the care system to a powerful voice for change. In this keynote, Lemn will share his personal experiences with local authorities and the profound impact these experiences had on his life. He will discuss his dedicated advocacy work, aimed at empowering vulnerable children and driving systemic reform. Through his compelling narrative, Lemn will inspire attendees to recognise the importance of supporting and uplifting those in care, and to join him in his mission to create a more just and compassionate system.

All Speakers Lisa Smith Director of Strategy, Performance and Partnerships, Liverpool City Council 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

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries 15:00–15:40 Workshop Navigating Local Government Reform: Lessons from the Digital Frontline of Devolution Speaker/s Mark Gannon, Director of Client Solutions, Netcall Craig Barker, Senior Manager – Digital and Customer Experience, Cumberland Council Kate Hurr, Assistant Director – Digital Innovation and ICT, Cumberland Council With local government reform reshaping councils across England, leaders face an urgent challenge: how to deliver seamless, citizen-centric services while navigating the complexity of system consolidation, workforce transitions, and operational realignment. In this session, we bring together those who have been through it to share hard-won insights on what works - and what doesn’t - when transforming service delivery amidst structural change. Join us for a discussion that blends strategic vision with real-world experience. The speakers will explore the ‘why’ of reform - unlocking efficiencies, economies of scale, and aligning services to citizen needs - while tackling the practical hurdles: multiple IT systems, complex migrations and integrations and the impact on people and processes. Expect candid reflections, actionable insights and a roadmap for delivering effective, digital-first services in the face of local government reform. Takeaways Get real-world, practical advice – This session focuses on actionable insights from those who have done it, rather than high-level theory. Avoid common pitfalls – Learn from the challenges and successes of others to make informed decisions in your own digital transformation journey. Stay ahead of change – Gain the knowledge and confidence to proactively shape your council’s approach, rather than reacting under pressure. Delivered by