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Previous Next Samantha Allen CBE Chief Executive, NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board Samantha (Sam) was appointed as chief executive of the North East and North Cumbria ICB in January 2022 ahead of the ICB becoming a statutory organisation in July 2022. Sam is an experienced NHS Chief Executive, prior to the ICB she led an NHS Foundation Trust for five years. Sam is a Chartered Manager and Companion of the Chartered Management Institute and holds an MBA from Aston University. In June 2026 Sam was awarded a CBE for services to the NHS. Sam is a member of The Kings Fund General Advisory Council and a former fellow of St. George's House, Windsor Castle. Sam is also interim regional director for NHS England North East and Yorkshire. 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

Amar HassanPrincipal Accountant, Investment (Capital) and Revenue Strategic Finance < Speakers < Previous Next > Amar Hassan Principal Accountant, Investment (Capital) and Revenue Strategic Finance North Tyneside Council Amar is a finance professional with over a decade of experience spanning a variety of finance and banking roles across the Public, Private and higher education sectors. Amar is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and is currently the Principal Accountant for Capital Investment and Treasury Management at North Tyneside Council. Amar has a passion for sustainability, transformational working, and technology and ICT skills. Amar is the Chair of the Ethnic Diversity Staff… Show More

Angela SharmaPrincipal In-House Counsel & Deputy Monitoring Officer Law Society Planning & Environment Committee < Speakers < Previous Next > Angela Sharma Principal In-House Counsel & Deputy Monitoring Officer Law Society Planning & Environment Committee Hounslow Borough Council Angela's professional journey as a planning solicitor has equipped her with the skills to advise senior management and council members effectively. Her astute commercial awareness and dedication to client care uniquely position her to support local authorities in navigating the current economic and social challenges. Creating reliable and collaborative relationships with Members, officers, and stakeholders for our communities, Angela Sharma combines her legal acumen, business experience, and community-focused approach to help local authorities and businesses thrive. Both in and… Show More

Keynote 11:45–12:45 Local Choices, National Consequences: What May’s Elections Tell Us About Britain’s Democratic Future Main Stage Victoria Derbyshire, Journalist and BBC Topical News Presenter Read More Sir John Curtice, British Political Scientist and Professor of Politics, University of Strathclyde Read More Sam Hartley, Director of Policy, Research and Voter Engagement, The Electoral Commission Read More Previous Drawing on decades of rigorous research and real-time data insights, Sir John and Sam will unpack what the outcomes reveal about voter sentiment, political realignment, and the evolving relationship between local communities and national politics. In this keynote, he will explore what the results mean for local authorities, the balance of political control across the country, and the challenges and opportunities emerging for local democratic institutions. He will also examine the broader implications for the future of UK democracy—from trust in governance to public expectations of local leadership. For senior local government leaders navigating shifting political landscapes, this session will provide essential context, clear-eyed interpretation, and authoritative insight into how these elections will shape the priorities, pressures, and possibilities facing local government in the years ahead. Next

All Speakers Asim Ali VP of UK Sales, Granicus For almost 25 years, Asim has worked closely with Public Sector organisations, helping them use digital tools, technology, and consultancy to gain better outcomes for their customers, whilst creating significant internal efficiencies and cost-savings. Over the last decade, UK public sector bodies, have been under tremendous pressure to continue to provide services to their communities whilst having to make huge cuts to their budgets. Over 450 public sector agencies have turned to Granicus to help them to reach and engage with their audiences and provide improved ways of managing customer interactions. From outbound communication tools to public consultations, to online service provision, to CRM, to workflow automation and more, we have a platform that helps public sector organisations to transform how they deliver services and information for their communities. We also have the consultancy knowledge and expertise to help our customers to design and build human-centred services, campaigns and engagement strategies. We are driven by knowing that our solutions make a real difference, not only to our customers, but to the lives of the citizens that they serve. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45-16:25 The Silent Stakeholder: Why Residents Deserve a Seat at the LGR Table Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Previous Next Robin Tuddenham Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Robin has been Chief Executive at Calderdale Council, in West Yorkshire, since June 2017 and Calderdale's Place Lead for West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board  since July 2022. He is responsible for leading both the Council's and ICB's workforce, supporting system leadership across the area in support of Calderdale Vision 2034, and overseeing a major regeneration programme across the borough's market towns. Robin is the current President of Solace (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) after being lead spokesperson for Solace for Economic Prosperity from 2020-24. Robin was previously Director of Communities and Business Change for Calderdale, leading the redevelopment of the multi-award-winning restoration of the Piece Hall and new Central Library in Halifax. Prior to that, he worked in local government, the Probation Service and the voluntary sector in East London. Robin is a Fellow of the Centre of Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge, is a life Member of the Faculty of Public Health, a Non-Executive Director of the Northern Housing Consortium and a Trustee of Belong. 10:40–10:55 Main Stage President's Opening Speech Presidential Address View Session Speakers: Robin Tuddenham , Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 19:15–20:00 Rum Warehouse Presidential Drinks Reception Networking View Session Speakers: Robin Tuddenham , Solace President and Chief Executive of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council 14:30–14:45 Main Stage President's Closing Speech Keynote View Session More information to follow.

Previous Next Madeline Smith Chief Technology Officer, North Yorkshire Council Madeline, CTO at North Yorkshire Council and Local Government Advisor to the Government Digital Service, is a senior local government technology leader with extensive experience leading large scale organisational change and system transformation. She has worked at the centre of local government reorganisation, delivering complex programmes while building high performing, people focused digital and technology services. Her leadership is grounded in real operational experience, navigating sustained pressure, demand growth, and transformation at scale. She is known for her pragmatic, plain spoken approach, and her focus on how leadership behaviours shape organisational culture, particularly in environments where “always on” working has become the norm. 11:30–12:30 North East Breakout: What Should We Stop Doing - Sustainable Leadership in Unrelenting Times Breakout View Session Speaker: Madeline Smith , CTO, North Yorkshire Council and Local Government Advisor to the Government Digital Service

All Speakers Kate Hurr Assistant Director, Digital Innovation and ICT, Cumberland Council Kate is a nationally recognised leader in local government digital transformation. She currently holds the position of Assistant Director for Digital Innovation and ICT at Cumberland Council where she is overseeing a complex technology change programme, navigating the challenges associated with local government reorganisation, ensuring a smooth transition from legacy authorities and the successful implementation of new technology strategies. With more than 20 years of experience in local government, Kate has played a pivotal role in delivering high-profile digital transformation programmes. Innovation is at the core of Kate’s approach. She leads teams that are harnessing emerging technologies, including robotic process automation, low-code platforms, and intelligent automation. Kate’s leadership was instrumental in Cumbria’s successful bid to host the nationally funded LocalGov Drupal website project. A passionate advocate for inclusive service design, cross-sector collaboration, and nurturing future technology leaders, Kate continues to champion transformation efforts that deliver improved outcomes for local communities and staff alike. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Navigating Local Government Reform: Lessons from the Digital Frontline of Devolution Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

Daniela RivasCity Manager of Newton City < Speakers < Previous Next > Daniela Rivas City Manager of Newton City Newton City, Kansas Daniela Lujano Rivas currently serves as the Newton, Kansas City Manager. As City Manager, she leads the city’s administrative operations including the execution of the Mayor and City Commissioners policies and vision. She has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the W. Frank Barton School of Business from Wichita State University and a Master of Public Administration from the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs at Wichita State University where her studies emphasized public finance and city/county management. She earned… Show More

< Back Previous Org Rochford District Council https://www.rochford.gov.uk More information to come. Next

Sarah ForsterCEO & Co- Founder < Speakers < Previous Next > Sarah Forster CEO & Co- Founder The Good Economy Sarah Forster is CEO and Co-Founder of The Good Economy (TGE), a leading impact advisory firm dedicated to enhancing the contribution of business and finance to inclusive and sustainable development. She has been at the forefront of finance for positive impact for more than 25 years, working in the fields of sustainable economic development, development finance, and impact measurement and management both internationally and in the UK. She combines a strong knowledge of public and private sector development policy issues… Show More

Previous Next Chris Wales Director of Digital Innovation, Brighton and Hove City Council Chris Wales is the Director of Digital Innovation at Brighton and Hove City Council. He is responsible for its Turbocharging Innovation programme, an initiative to radically rethink the operating model for local councils which identified almost £20m of savings in its first few months. He has previously worked as the Chief Information Officer at West Northamptonshire Council and at CIPFA, following on from a career spanning public, private and third sector organisations. He is a passionate advocate for using technology and digital transformation to solve public sector challenges and meet the demands of the 21st century. 10:10–10:20 Rewiring the State Brighton and Hove: Transforming Into a Learning Organisation Showcase View Session Speakers: Jess Gibbons , Chief Executive, Brighton and Hove City Council Chris Wales , Director of Digital Innovation, Brighton and Hove City Council