All Speakers Lord Gary Porter Political Leader and National Voice on Housing Safety Lord Gary Porter is a political leader and respected national voice on housing safety. With decades of public service, he has championed initiatives that protect residents and strengthen accountability. His influence spans policy, regulation, and advocacy, ensuring safety remains a priority in housing at both local and national levels. Thursday 16 October 2025 15:00–15:40 Life Safety First: Turning Risk into Assurance Hall B, Royal Armouries Go to session

< All sponsors Locality Stand 2 locality.org.uk Locality is the national membership network of 2,000 community organisations. We believe in the power of community to transform lives. As well as supporting local charities and social enterprises with paid specialist advice and resources, we’ve helped over 80 local authorities build stronger communities by investing in and working with local people. We’re experts in VCSE funding and governance, community engagement, service transformation, climate projects and community ownership of assets. Find out more at www.locality.org.uk/consultancy-services .

Trudy BirtwellDirector of Learning < Speakers < Previous Next > Trudy Birtwell Director of Learning Solace Trudy has been Director of Learning at Solace since 2011, leading their partnership work with MHCLG, LGA, INLOGOV, Collaborate and PPMA. Key areas of responsibility include: Solace Ignite programme, Total Leadership, Springboard and National Graduate and Apprenticeship programmes . A professional HR/OD practitioner with over 20 years' experience of working at board and executive level, she is a strong leader, able to inspire and motivate individuals and multidisciplinary teams. Trudy has a passion for getting the best out of… Show More

All Speakers Hayley Hamlett Director of HR & Corporate Affairs 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 LGC Stand 17 www.lgcplus.com Local Government Chronicle (LGC) is the leading publication for senior officers like you, working in local government. Through our daily news bulletins, the LGC Briefing , podcast and monthly print magazine provides you with the insight and intelligence councils need to improve services and navigate turbulent political times. A subscription offers you the following and more: Insight into the latest policy and financial developments at a time when uncertainty and budget pressures mean councils need every assistance they can get Cutting-edge analysis and thought leadership, built on unrivalled contacts within councils, government, and business, allowing us to pass on vital intelligence helping you plan ahead Learning from best practice by visiting the LGC Idea Exchange where local authorities share information about successful initiatives Visit the LGC stand and pick up a copy of the 2024 Council Control Map.

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.

All Speakers Dr Owen Williams OBE Chief Executive,Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust Owen started in post as Chief Executive of the NCA FT in November 2021. Prior to this appointment, he was Chief Executive of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT), a position which he has held since 2012. In 2020 he was granted the degree of Doctor of Business Administration by the University of Huddersfield following the successful completion of his thesis which commenced 6 years previously in 2014. In the 2019 New Year’s Honours list he was awarded an OBE for service to health care across West Yorkshire and was asked to lead a National piece of work across the NHS in England with regards to reducing Health Inequalities. He was previously Vice Chair of the NHS Confederation and prior to joining the NHS he has worked across Local Government including two roles as Chief Executive at Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council and Rossendale District Borough Council. Before working in the Public Sector, he worked in commercial business including his first employment at the Yorkshire Building Society. He is passionate about reducing health inequality and ensuring that no communities - regardless of race, colour or creed - get left behind. Thursday 16 October 2025 14:15–14:55 Local Power, National Plan: Delivering the 10-Year Health Strategy Bury Theatre, Royal Armouries Go to session

David SharmanCountywide Climate Change Coordinator, Climate Leadership < Speakers < Previous Next > David Sharman Countywide Climate Change Coordinator, Climate Leadership Gloucester City Council David is Countywide Climate Change Coordinator for Gloucestershire, helping to develop and progress a unique public sector climate partnership between the County Council, six Districts, the NHS ICB, the Constabulary, and the Local Nature Partnership. Recent shared action that David’s coordinated includes a countywide retrofit support service, collaborative coordination of in-county green skills, and the development of local area energy planning. Prior to working in local government David spent his career working in sustainability and climate change; with over a… Show More

Day One Day Two Previous Next Thursday 16 October 2025 Hall A, Royal Armouries 15:45–16:25 Workshop Leading with Purpose: Exploring the Nexus of Strategy and Leadership in Local Government Speaker/s Dr Mariana Pexton, Deputy Chief Executive, Leeds City Council Given the complex challenges facing local government, this case study research examines the features of senior officer leadership in relation to strategy development and delivery. Hear about the findings and what that might mean for leadership practice. The study investigated existing leadership and strategy literature, including that specifically about the public sector, and explored the use and potential value of adaptive leadership and strategic intent as subsets of the broader subjects. This research investigated the relevance of these concepts in local government, as well as the relationship between them in theory and practice. This study was qualitative, undertaking semi-structured interviews with the top team, and using reflexive thematic analysis to generate findings. Participants in this research have distinct roles with different statutory responsibilities, as well as generic strategic leadership functions, with the data showing a strong degree of consistency as well as diverse perspectives. Findings included leadership and strategy being purpose driven, adaptable and delivery focused, also noting the importance of organisational culture, combined system and organisational leadership, and equality, diversity and inclusion. The findings also highlighted the significant role of the Chief Executive on the nexus of strategy and leadership, including setting a constructive organisational culture and convening key partner relationships, and the data demonstrated that strategic intent and adaptive leadership are used and useful in a local government context. The research concluded strong alignment between the data and literature, making a unique contribution to the literature gap about the leadership and strategy in local government, about the interrelationship between adaptive leadership and strategic intent, and their application in local government given the contemporary challenges faced. Given this was a professional doctorate, the conclusions provide recommendations for leadership and strategy, as well as further research opportunities in the public sector given the literature gap. The thesis is not publishable in order to protect the anonymity and confidentiality of participants; however the general findings and conclusions can be shared as a way of stimulating further debate and providing constructive insight about approaches to leadership and strategy given the challenging context the sector faces. Takeaways Gain insight from recent academic research (through a professional doctorate) about strategy and leadership in the sector given the challenges facing the sector. Hear the findings from the research to stimulate reflection about organisational and system leadership practice and development. Be part of a conversation that informs wider leadership thinking in the sector. Delivered by

Lucy EasthopeProfessor in Practice of Risk and Hazard, Co-Founder < Speakers < Previous Next > Lucy Easthope Professor in Practice of Risk and Hazard, Co-Founder University of Durham, After Disaster Network Lucy Easthope is the UK’s leading authority on recovering from disaster. She has been an advisor on nearly every major disaster of the past two decades, including the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, 9/11, the 7/7 bombings, the Salisbury Poisonings, Grenfell, and the war in Ukraine. She also advised the Prime Minister’s Office on the Covid-19 pandemic. She challenges others to think differently about what comes next after tragic events, and how to plan for future ones. Lucy grew up in… Show More

Shaza Brannon Planning Policy Manager < Speakers < Previous Next > Shaza Brannon Planning Policy Manager South Kesteven District Council Shaza is a chartered town planner with over 15 years’ of experience working within local authorities across the East Midlands, specialising in planning policy. Shaza currently manages the Planning Policy Team at South Kesteven District Council in Lincolnshire. Working with councillors, senior leadership and stakeholders, Shaza is committed to delivering excellence in the public sector to serve the local community. Following the successful Examination in Public and adoption of the South Kesteven Local Plan in 2020, Shaza is now… Show More

Dr Catherine HoweChief Executive < Speakers < Previous Next > Dr Catherine Howe Chief Executive Adur and Worthing Councils Dr Catherine Howe is Chief Executive of Adur and Worthing Councils. She is an expert in digital innovation, focusing on the area of digital democracy and systems practice and has a background which connects together technology, community and social change. Catherine has worked across a number of different sectors including education, not for profit and the technology industry. Catherine was CEO of a successful SME, Public-i Group Ltd, before moving to Capita to redevelop Capita’s digital transformation approach and then… Show More