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

All Speakers Mark Gannon Director of Client Solutions, Netcall Mark Gannon, Director of Client Solutions, Netcall. Former CIO at Sheffield City Council, Mark now works with over 30 local authorities to support digital transformation. He will set the stage by outlining the macro-level challenges and opportunities of devolution and service transformation through a digital lens. A senior leader from local government who will share insights from their council's digital transformation journey. They will cover the strategy, goals, and challenges faced during the transition, highlighting the importance of having a clear vision for digitisation and a solid delivery foundation. The session will also offer a practical perspective on achieving digital innovation and continuing service improvements amid significant governance changes. 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

Nazeya HussainNon-Executive Director – Lead on Diversity & Inclusion, Solace < Speakers < Previous Next > Nazeya Hussain Non-Executive Director – Lead on Diversity & Inclusion, Solace Executive Director, London Borough of Lewisham Nazeya has worked in local Government for over twenty years and is currently working as an Executive Director of Place in London. She specialises in urban regeneration and wider public sector reform agenda. Her work continues to focus on how we design places to improve life chances for those who are marginalised and often not heard. She has a passion for enhancing community engagement and the needs to shift to more integrated forms of co-design and collaboration within communities. She… Show More

All Speakers Dr Henry Kippin Chief Executive, North East Combined Authority Dr Henry Kippin is the Chief Executive of the North East CA, responsible for its delivery programme spanning inclusive economic growth, transport, skills, housing, culture, public service innovation, net zero and devolution. He previously served as Chief Executive of the North of Tyne Combined Authority, and as an Executive Director at the West Midlands Combined Authority. Prior to this he held a number of roles in UK and international public policy, including as CEO of Collaborate and managing the cross-party RSA Public Services Commission. He is a trustee of the Young Foundation, a visiting professor at Newcastle University and was a visiting fellow of the UNDP Global Centre for Public Service Excellence from 2013 – 2018. In 2024 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law by Northumbria University. 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

All Speakers Jon Gleek Head of Research, LGIU Jon joined LGIU in the summer of 2025 as Head of Research following over a decade of experience in local government in South Yorkshire and London. He has extensive experience of senior management and high-profile roles in councils related to population level research, academic partnerships, insight development for policy making and strategy development, change management and service improvement. Jon is responsible for the organisation’s research and insight function, leading the portfolio of LGIU’s research partnerships and managing the Local Democracy Research Centre. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Shaping Communities – How Leaders Unlock Social and Economic Value Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

< All sponsors Netcall Stand 13 www.netcall.com Netcall's AI-powered platform helps local councils work smarter, faster and improve efficiency across all of their operations. Our comprehensive solution accelerates IT, boosts productivity, enhances customer service and transforms workflows. Trusted by 1 in 3 local authorities including Newcastle and Lancashire County Councils, we build connected communities while reducing costs.

All Speakers Jon Rouse CBE Chief Executive, Stoke on Trent City Council and Solace Policy Lead for Housing, Planning and Infrastructure Jon Rouse is Chief Executive of Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Previously, he was Chief Officer at the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, co-ordinating the delivery of Greater Manchester’s strategy for the transformation of health and care services. Other previous roles include: Director General for Social Care, Local Government and Care Partnerships, Department of Health Chief Executive, London Borough of Croydon Chief Executive, Housing Corporation Chief Executive, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment He has also held a wide range of non-executive positions and is currently a Director of Bradford Children and Families Trust. He currently sits on the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS Board as a partner member. He is the executive champion for children’s health. Jon is also currently the Solace national lead for Housing, Planning and Infrastructure and is a member of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods. Thursday 16 October 2025 14:15–14:55 1.5 Million Homes: Ambition, Action, and Accountability Pearl Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session

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

Darius ToomerHead of Agilisys Transform < Speakers < Previous Next > Darius Toomer Head of Agilisys Transform Agilisys Darius is the Head of Agilisys Transform, responsible for the Agilisys GenAI products business. As part of the Agilisys leadership team for the past 2 years, Darius has been working with public sector clients, building and deploying GenAI tools to support front-line teams. Transform’s core focus is supporting key workers, particularly in SEND & Social Care, with their time-consuming and complex activities - such as drafting of EHCPs & Safeguarding Meetings. Darius is also the Head of Portfolio Transformation at… Show More