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

< All sponsors ICS.AI Stand 4 www.ics.ai ICS.AI is the UK’s fastest-growing profitable AI business, delivering transformative unified AI platforms for the public sector. The SMART: AI Transformation Programme empowers councils, universities, and public organisations to modernise operations, enhance services, and guarantee savings – without lock-in or fragmentation.

Amy HarhoffSolace Deputy Policy Lead for Economic Prosperity & Corporate Director Regeneration Economy & Growth < Speakers < Previous Next > Amy Harhoff Solace Deputy Policy Lead for Economic Prosperity & Corporate Director Regeneration Economy & Growth Durham County Council Amy is Corporate Director of Regeneration and Growth for Durham County Council, one of the largest local authorities in the UK. Amy has previously held senior roles in local government in two large metropolitan authorities in the West Midlands and Sheffield City Region, passionate about communities and our potential for growth, Amy has also held senior roles for Transport for the North, Sheffield City Region and Transport for Greater Manchester. Amy has a breadth of experience in delivering major investments,… 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.

All Speakers Kirsty Wark Speaker, award-winning journalist and presenter Kirsty Wark is one of the UK’s trailblazing female news journalists. She presented BBC’s Newsnight for 30 years, stepping down after the 2024 General Election. Her long career on Newsnight has seen her holding politicians and public figures to account with her formidable interviewing skills. She made her reputation as a journalist and producer on BBC Scotland, memorably reporting from the scene of the Lockerbie bombing, before joining BBC 2’s arts strand The Late Show as a presenter, moving on to Newsnight in 1993. Kirsty continued to span both arts and news/current affairs, hosting The Review Show for over a decade, as well as a range of BBC Arts series and documentaries. Over the years she has had memorable encounters with everyone from Margaret Thatcher to Madonna, Harold Pinter to Pete Doherty, Damian Hirst to George Clooney and the likes of Toni Morrison, Donna Tartt and Philip Roth. Kirsty hosts Radio 4’s long-running flagship series The Reunion, and regularly presents of Start the Week. She continues to present arts programmes on TV and Radio, cultural history series such as The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland and Panorama specials. Kirsty has won several major awards for her work including BAFTA Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting, Journalist of the Year and Best Television Presenter. In 2024 she was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the RTS Journalism Awards. Thursday 16 October 2025 11:35–12:15 Equity and Purpose – Progress, Possibility and the Path Ahead Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session Thursday 16 October 2025 12:15–13:15 International Perspective Main Stage, New Dock Hall Go to session

Ian Bancroft Chief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Ian Bancroft Chief Executive Wrexham Council Ian took up his post as Chief Executive of Wrexham Council in August 2018. For the previous fourteen years he worked at a senior leadership level within large public service organisations in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and North East Wales. Most recently, since 2014, this has been at Flintshire County Council as a Chief Officer successfully leading the development and implementation of a number of major strategic programmes. Ian is committed to public service delivery and aims to work with partners,… Show More

Angela BarniclePublic Practice Non-Executive Director and Chief Officer Asset Management & Regeneration < Speakers < Previous Next > Angela Barnicle Public Practice Non-Executive Director and Chief Officer Asset Management & Regeneration Leeds City Council Angela has a passion for cities and economic development and with it, delivering transformational change and inclusive growth. Having worked extensively across the UK advising on large-scale city development and transport schemes, organisational design and place positioning, Angela now leads the Asset Management and Regeneration Service for Leeds City Council. There, she focuses on realising the development opportunities and optimum real estate solutions to support the city's growth. The Service is currently engaged in Place Programmes across the city, including… Show More