David BurnsDavid Burns < Speakers < Previous Next > David Burns David Burns Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council & Solace Northern Ireland Chair David Burns has been the Chief Executive of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council since November 2018, making the move across from Scotland with his wife and 2 children. David worked for Councils and Housing Associations in the West of Scotland for close on 25 years, with a particular focus on Council housing, housing management, community planning & engagement, capital projects and regeneration initiatives. In his spare time, David is an assistant referee with the Irish Football Association, operating at Championship… Show More

Leigh Bowman-PerksCEO < Speakers < Previous Next > Leigh Bowman-Perks CEO Inspiring Leadership Foundation Leigh is a researcher and author of ‘Inspiring Women Leaders’ and forthcoming book ‘Inspiring Leadership & Toxic Turnarounds’, an international speaker, executive coach and facilitator. As a businesswoman and CEO of a charity that aims to improve the economic empowerment and safety of vulnerable women and children, she understands the challenges of leading teams and running a complex international organisation. She has made it her mission in life to develop more inspiring leaders globally, helping to change the landscape so… Show More

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 13:15–14:15 International Meeting and Lunch

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Main Stage, New Dock Hall 12:15–13:15 Panel International Perspective Chair Kirsty Wark, Speaker, Award-Winning Journalist and Presenter Speaker/s Michael Land, City Manager of Coppell, Texas, and President-Elect of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Brenda Orchard, President of CAMA and Chief Administrative Officer, Lennox and Addington County, Ontario, Canada Craig Swift-McNair, General Manager, Woollahra Council, Sydney, Australia Following on from the morning’s discussion on Equity and Purpose, this session widens the frame to explore how local government leaders across the world are navigating similar challenges and opportunities. Our international guests will share insights from North America and Australia — from embedding equity and inclusion in local systems, to building organisational cultures that foster trust, purpose, and innovation. Together, we’ll look at how different governance models, community expectations, and leadership approaches are shaping more resilient, responsive, and equitable public services. This is a chance to reflect on what connects us globally as leaders, learn from alternative perspectives, and consider how international practice can inspire meaningful change at home.

All Speakers Amy Harhoff Chief Executive, East Midlands Combined County Authority Amy Harhoff is the first permanent Chief Executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority. Amy joined EMCCA from her role as Corporate Director for Regeneration, Economy, and Growth at Durham County Council. Her extensive leadership experience also includes senior leadership roles for West Mids, South Yorkshire Combined Authority, and Transport for Greater Manchester.   Working alongside Mayor Claire Ward, Amy is driving forward EMCCA’s ambitious agenda, focused on improving transport, housing, skills, employment, and climate resilience. Her leadership is rooted in inclusivity, collaboration and delivery, bringing together local authorities, businesses, and communities to unlock the region’s full potential.    With a clear vision for inclusive growth, Amy is harnessing the East Midlands’ strengths, from world-class universities and global industries to a thriving visitor economy and rich cultural heritage. Under her leadership, EMCCA is building a more connected, skilled, and sustainable region - one with a strong identity and shared purpose.  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 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

Jo PittLocal Government Policy Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Jo Pitt Local Government Policy Manager CIPFA Joanne Pitt is an experienced local government adviser and has 25 years of public sector experience. She was responsible for the delivery of the CIPFA Financial Management Code and is an advocate of strong financial management and good governance. She is a national speaker and author of numerous publications on topics such as government funding, housing and financial sustainability.  Through her work with CFOs across the country she supports local government improvement and reform using data analysis and strong evidence-based… Show More

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

Alex GovierPartnerships Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Alex Govier Partnerships Manager Public Practice Alex is the Partnerships Manager at Public Practice. He works closely with Local Authorities and the wider Public Sector to understand their challenges regarding resourcing, capacity building, funding, and delivery. Alex started his career at the House of Commons, working in an MP’s office to support the community they represented. In Parliament, he developed a passion for the inclusive design of places and an understanding of how Local Government can address inequalities and social mobility through placemaking. Since then, Alex… Show More

Sophie HoskingStrategic Director - Neighbourhoods < Speakers < Previous Next > Sophie Hosking Strategic Director - Neighbourhoods Cornwall Council Sophie is the Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, with oversight of the Council’s community and regulatory services and the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service. The directorate covers a diverse range of services from leisure, culture, libraries, community safety, devolution and localism, registration, bereavement, housing options and emergency management. The business regulatory services include enforcement, development management and waste collection. Sophie was formerly Chief Executive of South Hams District Council & West Devon Borough Council. She has also been… Show More

Martin SmithStrategy and Research Lead < Speakers < Previous Next > Martin Smith Strategy and Research Lead Scottish Police Authority Martin is the Strategy and Research Lead at the Scottish Police Authority, responsible for supporting the Authority’s strategic development and overall approach to commissioning research and evidence gathering, and using insights to shape strategic planning. He joined the Authority in 2015, having worked previously in a number of UK police forces as an analyst. Martin currently leads the Community Confidence Action Research Project on behalf of the Authority.

Tim KleinschmidtHead of Service Design < Speakers < Previous Next > Tim Kleinschmidt Head of Service Design Cadence Innova Tim Kleinschmidt leads the service design practices for Cadence Innova with over fifteen years of experience designing and improving online and offline services within the public sector, with a focus on creating a better end-to-end experience. He is an intuitive customer-centric leader who combines systems thinking, design methodologies, best practices, process improvement techniques, and effective communication to bring people together to create better digital services and throughout his career focused on improving online and offline services in Defence, Energy, Health,… Show More

All Speakers Nicola Monk Divisional CEO, Energy & Environment, Procurement & Partnerships, Commercial Services Group Nicola joined Commercial Services Group in 2023 as Divisional CEO following a successful career in local government. A highly regarded executive leader with exceptional skills in public sector strategy and management, Nicola’s role is to deliver outstanding commercial growth across our Energy & Environment and Procurement & Partnerships divisions, ensuring the Group’s customer, people and social value ambitions are achieved along the way. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Shaping Communities – How Leaders Unlock Social and Economic Value Barton Suite, Royal Armouries Go to session