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

Henry StratfordAssistant Director < Speakers < Previous Next > Henry Stratford Assistant Director Outcomes Matter Consulting Henry is Assistant Director for Outcomes Matter Consulting – who lead people and change management projects focused on emerging technologies. Henry has extensive experience leading change projects with local authorities, particularly in children's services. He understands how to get things done as well as bring people along that journey. He believes that collaboration and partnerships are the best way to have the biggest social impact – and is excited about the partnership between Agilisys Transform, Outcomes Matter, Datnexa, and local… Show More

All Speakers Vicki Bates Assistant Director, Governance and Monitoring Officer, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Vicki Bates joined Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council as its Monitoring Officer in October 2019, having spent 17 years as a solicitor and senior leader in private practice law firms in Manchester.   Vicki joined Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council after advising the council during 2018 and 2019 on the collapse of Carillion.  Vicki’s remit now covers Legal Services, Democratic and Electoral Services and Information Governance.   Since arriving in Stockport Vicki has overseen the strategic upskilling and investment to save into the legal team, growing it to 50 plus colleagues, leading to a reduction in spend on external legal advisors and a better retention and recruitment rate and reduction of locum spend.  Vicki has also led on the implementation of a trainee and paralegal programme in the legal team, the introduction of a work experience programme (now consistently oversubscribed) and were the first legal team in Greater Manchester to offer T Level placements to two under 18 year olds.  The legal team were highly commended in the Legal Team of the Year, Lawyers in Local Government Awards (LLG) 2024 and won the LLG Award for Excellence in Training Award in 2025.   In 2021 Vicki led the successful integration of the Democratic and Electoral Services teams into one shared service team increasing resilience and efficiency.  In 2023 Vicki took over the lead of the Information Governance team and also became the council’s Deputy SIRO.   Vicki won the LGC Workforce Head of Service Award in 2024 for her approach to culture change and workplace wellbeing.  Vicki is a non-executive Director for the council’s public realm company, the council’s strategic lead on Wellbeing, Prevent and our Armed Forces Covenant and a Board Member on the North West Legal Consortium.     Vicki’s most important role is being a mum and biggest cheerleader for her 16 year old daughter. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Cross-party Working Against a Backdrop of No Overall Control Hall A, Royal Armouries Go to session

All Speakers Ciara Graven Consultant – Economics and Casemaking Team, Arup Ciara is a Consultant in the Economics and Casemaking team at Arup providing strategy, planning and economic services to private and public sector clients. She specialises in developing the vision, strategy and economic narrative for regeneration, development and infrastructure proposals in cities, towns and their regions. She is a certified practitioner in authoring HMT Green Book compliant business cases for investment and undertake socio-economic needs analysis and impact assessments for planning and policy and provide strategic advice on inclusive growth and project appraisal, delivery and management. She is currently working on several projects that include providing strategic advice to the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority on their Local Growth Plan and Investment Pipeline and supporting the development of an Economic Strategy for the Humber region. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45–16:25 Delivering Together: How Local Authorities and Strategic Authorities Are Jointly Driving Place-Based Transformational Growth Hall B, Royal Armouries Go to session

Stand TBC < Back Norse Group norsegroup.co.uk About Norse Group At Norse Group, we deliver the spaces and services that help communities thrive. As the UK’s largest Local Authority Trading Company, wholly owned by Norfolk County Council, we are rooted in public values and driven by the belief that there’s always a better way to deliver. We are trusted by councils and partners nationwide to provide integrated services across strategic asset and estates management, multidisciplinary design, facilities management, building maintenance, waste and environmental services, and care. These span key public sectors including property and housing, education, and healthcare, creating the foundations that enable communities to function and grow. We operate at the intersection of national policy and local delivery, bridging ambition with action, and making long-term impact real, scalable, and rooted in place. Built around people We work in close partnership with local authorities, public sector bodies, emergency services, and education providers to deliver tailored solutions. These relationships are built on trust, transparency, and shared objectives, enabling us to support both operational delivery and long-term strategy. By combining expertise with flexibility, we help clients sustain vital services, adapt to evolving demands, and achieve better outcomes for the communities they serve. From everyday essentials to life’s most critical moments, we are proud to be part of the public service journey – powering local potential and supporting those who need us most.

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries 15:45–16:25 Workshop The Leader’s Mirror: Defining the Legacy You Leave Behind Speaker/s Averil Price, Solace Associate and Director, Avie Consultancy As a senior leader in local government, your impact extends far beyond day-to-day decision-making. The legacy you leave, whether through policies, leadership culture, or the development of future leaders, shapes communities for years to come. This interactive session on Legacy Coaching will help you define, articulate, and strengthen your professional and personal legacy while preparing for the next chapter of your career. A timely session with further local government reorganisation and devolution in England and a working group of elected leaders and chief executives looking to develop a clear vision and a set of proposals that can support a sustainable future for local government in Wales. This workshop will provide a structured and reflective space to consider: The achievements and influence you want to be remembered for. What steps you are considering next in your career and how to transition purposefully. How you can help your team prepare for their future too. Delivered by

Simon FairbrotherLocal Governance Excellence Director < Speakers < Previous Next > Simon Fairbrother Local Governance Excellence Director ALULa, Saudia Arabia Simon Farbrother has over 25 years of senior leadership experience in municipal Government. He has led the Cities of Edmonton, Waterloo and Spruce Grove through major transformations within the community and organization. He also has private sector experience in the UK. He is currently the Director of City Management for the Royal Commission of Alula, Saudi Arabia helping to transform a UNESCO world heritage site into and International tourist destination. As a City Manager Simon has led significant organizational and… Show More

Shokat LalChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Shokat Lal Chief Executive Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Shokat is currently the Chief Executive at Sandwell Council and was appointed at a time when Sandwell had commissioners in and was part of a governance intervention. In early 2024 Sandwell had the statutory directions lifted and the under Secretary for State Simon Hoare MP said there had been ‘a significant step change in the way in which the council has ordered and organised itself and its approach to governance’. Shokat has 35 years experience in local government and in… Show More

Rouma HyeMarketing Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Rouma Hye Marketing Manager CIPFA

All Speakers Gareth Fairweather Senior Leader, Urban and Regional, Arup Gareth is a senior leader in urban and regional development, transport strategy, infrastructure investment, and governance. His background in town planning, transport-led regeneration and placemaking sees him take an outcomes and systems-led approach his work, supporting clients position infrastructure and investments as enablers of wider change. He has a sharp focus on good governance, collaboration and structured partnership working, bringing a strong understanding of the opportunities presented through devolution. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:45–16:25 Delivering Together: How Local Authorities and Strategic Authorities Are Jointly Driving Place-Based Transformational Growth Hall B, Royal Armouries Go to session

Day One Day Two Previous Next Friday 17 October 20225 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 11:10–12:00 Keynote Leading Through A Crisis Chair Helen Bailey, Chief Executive, London Borough of Sutton Speaker/s Tom Stannard, Chief Executive, Manchester City Council, and Solace Policy Lead for Health & Social Care In this deeply moving keynote, Tom Stannard reflects on the recent tragic events surrounding the Manchester synagogue attack and the profound impact felt across the city. Speaking from the heart of Manchester’s local response, Tom will explore what it means to lead with compassion and steadiness in the most difficult of moments — when communities are hurting, emotions are raw, and leadership is tested in the truest sense. This session will consider how councils can support recovery, foster unity, and help communities heal in the aftermath of crisis — and how leaders can carry hope, empathy, and resilience forward in their work every day.

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