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Breakout 15:30–16:30 Breakout: Transition vs. Transformation: What Successful Organisations do Differently North East Mark Lloyd CBE, Executive Director, IMPOWER; Non-Executive Director HMPPS Read More Nick Kennell, Partner, Gate One Read More Kathryn Rees, Executive Director, Corporate and Support Services, Stockport Council Read More Kath O'Dwyer, Solace Group Board Chair Read More Previous Drawing on practical experience from large-scale public sector change, this session explores how organisations maintain momentum through prolonged periods of transition, balance transformation with financial and service pressures, and avoid common pitfalls while delivering lasting change. Next

Breakout 15:30–16:30 Breakout: Connected Devolution: Implications for Local Government Leadership North West Jonathan Werran, Chief Executive, Localis Read More Emma Foy, Industry Lead for Local Government, TechnologyOne Read More Previous As councils respond to increasing financial pressures, evolving governance arrangements and growing demand for public services, local leaders are being challenged to deliver transformation at scale while maintaining outcomes for communities. This session explores the findings of the Connected Devolution White Paper, examining how governance, collaboration and service delivery are changing across local government and what this means for council leaders navigating an increasingly complex operating environment. Drawing on the paper's research and recommendations, the discussion will explore opportunities and challenges around organisational readiness, financial sustainability, accountability, digital capability and the role of technology in supporting effective place-based leadership and long-term transformation. The session will also provide an exclusive preview of Connected Prevention, Localis' forthcoming research paper, which examines how integrated local digital systems and data-driven approaches can support preventative, place-based public service reform and improve outcomes for residents. Next

Breakout 15:30–16:30 Breakout: Beyond the Tipping Point: How do we Actually Make Long Term Change Happen South East Dr Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Read More Divisional CEO, Commercial Services Group Read More Previous The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and Commercial Services Group will jointly present an insight led session that deliberately moves beyond diagnosing the challenges facing local government to focus on the more difficult question: how do we actually make change happen? We have been working with chief executives and senior leaders across local government and the wider public sector to explore the major “mega trends” shaping the next 3, 5 and 10 years. These include demographic and fiscal pressure, declining trust in public institutions, rapid technological disruption, workforce strain and changing expectations of place-based leadership. None of these are new. Leaders recognise them instinctively, and many have been managing their effects for years. This session aims to bring together leaders with their diverse experiences and give them space to share and collaborate on what is happening in their areas and communities. Attendees will leave with new insights, examples of successful change and a greater awareness of the impact of these mega trends on the future of leadership in local government. Next

Previous Next Paul Robinson Stategic Director for LGR, Nottinghamshire County Council Paul Robinson is an experienced Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) leader, having played senior roles in both the Cumbria and Nottinghamshire LGR programmes. As Director of Enabler Services at Westmorland and Furness Council, he led over 450 staff and managed a £34m budget across HR, ICT, Digital, Customer Services, Legal Services and Cyber Security. He led some of the most complex elements of the Cumbria reorganisation, including the transition of almost 7,000 employees and the separation and integration of multiple ICT environments. As SIRO, he ensured robust governance, data protection and cyber security throughout, delivering safe, legal and resilient organisational transformation. 11:30–12:30 Main Stage Breakout: Ensuring success whilst Surviving LGR: Lived Experiences of Delivering Major Transformation Breakout View Session Jessica Mullinger, Executive Director of Sector Support, Solace in Business (Chair) Simon Allsop, Managing Director, CIPFA (Chair) Dr David Parr OBE, Former Chief Executive Paul Robinson, Stategic Director for LGR,Nottinghamshire County Council

Previous Next Jessica Mullinger Executive Director of Sector Support, Solace in Business Jessica Mullinger is Executive Director of Sector Support at Solace in Business, leading specialist recruitment, interim management and consultancy services across the public sector. With more than 20 years’ experience in executive resourcing and leadership, she works closely with local government and public service organisations to support transformation, capacity and leadership challenges. 11:30–12:30 Main Stage Breakout: Ensuring success whilst Surviving LGR: Lived Experiences of Delivering Major Transformation Breakout View Session Jessica Mullinger, Executive Director of Sector Support, Solace in Business (Chair) Simon Allsop, Managing Director, CIPFA (Chair) Dr David Parr OBE, Former Chief Executive Paul Robinson, Stategic Director for LGR,Nottinghamshire County Council

Previous Next Dr David Parr OBE Former Chief Executive, Halton Borough Council Dr David Parr OBE is one of local government's most experienced chief executives, with over 30 years of senior leadership experience, including 18 years as Chief Executive of Halton Borough Council. An OBE recipient and Honorary Doctorate holder, David has led major local government transformation, devolution, health and care integration, organisational improvement and regeneration programmes. He played a key role in Cheshire local government reorganisation, helped establish the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority model, and led the £2 billion Mersey Gateway Bridge project from concept to delivery. Since 2022, he has undertaken interim chief executive roles (including CEO at Barrow BC during the Cumbria LGR process), peer reviews, mentoring, strategic advisory commissions and non-executive board positions across local government, housing and regeneration. 11:30–12:30 Main Stage Breakout: Ensuring success whilst Surviving LGR: Lived Experiences of Delivering Major Transformation Breakout View Session Jessica Mullinger, Executive Director of Sector Support, Solace in Business (Chair) Simon Allsop, Managing Director, CIPFA (Chair) Dr David Parr OBE, Former Chief Executive Paul Robinson, Stategic Director for LGR,Nottinghamshire County Council

Breakout 11:30–12:30 Breakout: Ensuring success whilst Surviving LGR: Lived Experiences of Delivering Major Transformation Main Stage Previous LGR offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape local government, transform services, and create new ways of working. It also brings significant challenges for those leading and delivering change. Drawing on the lived experiences of leaders who have been through Local Government Reorganisation, this session provides an honest insight into the realities of a major change programme that leads to transformation. Speakers will share what worked well, what they would do differently, the challenges they expected, and those they did not. Whether creating a new authority or ensuring an existing one ends well, attendees will gain practical lessons, candid reflections, and valuable advice for the journey ahead. This will be an interactive session, with plenty of time for questions and reflections. Next

Showcase 13:15–13:25 Showcasing Amplify Cohort 5: Organisational Change and Equity: Beyond Rhetoric Innovation Zone Kelli Maynard, Customer Service Manager, West Northamptonshire Council Read More Koyejo Olugbile, Acting Sustainable Transport Coordinator, Falkirk Council Read More Previous Topic: Beyond Allyship Allyship is important, but it was never meant to be the finish line. In this session, we’ll explore what happens when inclusion moves beyond good intentions and becomes a leadership responsibility. Because real change isn't measured by the doors we open for others, but by whether we've helped build organisations where everyone has the opportunity to walk through them. Next

Showcase 09:10—09:20 Showcasing Amplify Cohort 5: Organisational Change & Equity: Beyond Rhetoric Innovation Zone André K. Small, Customer Experience and Service Improvement Leader, Epping Forest District Council Read More Nikita Hunt, Policy Officer, Test Valley Borough Council Read More Previous Topic: Intersectionality as a Reality Join André and Nikita for a thought-provoking exploration of intersectionality through storytelling and a short interactive skit. Drawing on personal and professional experiences, they examine how our identities and lived experiences influence the way we navigate organisations, communities, and public services. This session will encourage reflection on inclusion, belonging, and the importance of recognising the complexity of individual experiences. Next

Previous Next Kath O'Dwyer Solace Group Board Chair Kath has 42 years local government service with 8 years’ experience as a Local Authority Chief Executive, in two different local authorities. Kath has been the Solace Board Chair since October 2024, and also chairs the Solace Commission on Professional Standards and Ethics. Since her ‘retirement’ from her Chief Executive role last year, she now has a ‘portfolio career’ and acts as an advisor and consultant to the sector, including roles as Independent Chair for Improvement Boards; Technical Assessments for Chief Executive recruitment; Executive Coaching; work with the LGA in relation to Peer Reviews and development work with elected members. 10:00–11:00 Main Stage Beyond Barriers: Authentic Women’s Leadership in Local Government Panel Session View Session Women across local government are challenging long standing norms, reshaping organisational cultures, and redefining what leadership looks like. This panel brings together three senior female leaders to explore both the systemic barriers that still shape career progression and the powerful role authenticity plays in overcoming them. Through candid reflections on navigating political challenge, leading through complexity, and building confidence in spaces not designed with them in mind, panellists will share practical strategies and personal insights. The session will examine how allyship, inclusive cultures, and values driven leadership can create genuinely equitable pathways - and what it will take to ensure more women can lead boldly and authentically across the sector. 15:30–16:30 North East Transition vs. Transformation: What Successful Organisations do Differently Breakout View Session Nick Kennell (Chair), Public Sector Partner, Gate One Consulting Kath O’Dwyer, SOLACE Group Board Chair, Former Chief Exec of St. Helens Council Mark Lloyd CBE, Executive Director, IMPOWER; Non-Executive Director HMPPS Kathryn Rees, Executive Director, Corporate and Support Services, Stockport Council

Previous Next Kurtis Toy Chief Executive, Cyber Centre of Excellence Kurtis Toy is a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) and CEO of Onca Technologies Ltd who has also been appointed as the CEO of the CCoE. After gaining an MSc in Biology, Kurtis worked for an oil servicing company where he ended up working in IT. He became responsible for the IT and information security in the company, leading to him becoming Global IT Coordinator. He then gained an additional MSc in Information Technology, next becoming Global IT Team Leader, which included responsibility for cyber security, before moving to Onca Technologies full time, which he established in 2016. Further qualifications Kurtis has since gained include becoming a GDPR Foundation and Practitioner (Data Protection Officer), ISO 9001 Internal Auditor training and ISO 27001 Lead Implementor. He is also a CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional). He describes the CCoE as giving local authorities access to an umbrella of protection akin to a “validated Google of cyber security knowledge”. 11:30–12:30 North West Breakout: Cyber Resilience in Transition: Securing Public Services Through Reorganisation and Digital Disruption Breakout View Session Speaker: Kurtis Toy, Chief Executive, Cyber Centre of Execellence

Breakout 11:30–12:30 Breakout: Cyber Resilience in Transition: Securing Public Services Through Reorganisation and Digital Disruption North West Chief Executive, Cyber Centre of Excellence Read More Previous This session lead by Kurtis Toy, Chief Executive of the Cyber Centre of Excellence, will explore two critical dimensions of cyber resilience: maintaining cyber security through periods of local government reorganisation and strengthening preparedness for large-scale digital disruption through the principles of the UK’s Analogue 72 initiative. As councils and public sector organisations undergo structural change, they face increased cyber risk arising from system migrations, organisational integration, changes in governance, third-party dependencies and evolving operating models. The discussion will examine how organisations can maintain strong security, resilience and service continuity during periods of transformation, while ensuring that critical services remain protected and accessible. The session will also consider the Analogue 72 framework, which addresses a fundamental question: how can society continue to function during the first 72 hours of a severe nationwide digital disruption? Participants will explore the concept of minimum viable societal functions, organisational readiness to operate in degraded conditions, and the importance of governance, public communication and cross-sector coordination when digital systems are unavailable or untrustworthy. Bringing these themes together, the roundtable will examine practical approaches to building resilience before, during and after major disruption, drawing on lessons from local government transformation, international resilience models and emerging cyber threats. The discussion will focus on how public sector leaders can strengthen preparedness, protect essential services and support whole-of-society resilience in an increasingly complex digital landscape. Next