Premium & Prime Sponsors
SPEAKERS
..
Juliette Alban-Metcalfe, MSc, MPOD, CPsychol
Chief Executive Real World Group
.
Fringe Session – Creating a Thriving Culture at Pace
Day 1 – Thursday 23rd April, 12.00 – 13.00
..
Julie Biggs
PPMA Talent Programmes and Awards Manager
Fringe Session – Celebrating Excellence: Meet the PPMA Peer & Rising Star Winners
Day 2 – Friday 24th April, 11.15 – 12.00
..
Luann Donald
Senior Adviser, Workforce, Local Government Association (LGA)
As part of LGA’s Workforce Team, Luann supports local authorities to navigate workforce challenges and build modern, resilient public-sector workplaces.
In her role she provides expert guidance to councils on pay and conditions equality, creating diverse and inclusive workplaces, and designing lawful and effective policies, employment practices and management capabilities. Her work also promotes workforce wellbeing, for example, by co-authoring resources for care staff in collaboration with sector partners.
Current projects include supporting councils to manage staff through transformational change, including local government reorganisation (LGR), and initiatives to protect employees experiencing online bullying and harassment as part of the LGA’s Civility in Modern Public Life campaign.
.
Equal Pay: Advancing Fairness in the Workplace
Day 2 – Friday 24th April, 11.15 – 12.00
..
Dawn Carter-McDonald
Chief Executive, London Borough of Hackney
Dawn Carter-McDonald is the Chief Executive of the London Borough of Hackney. She has over 20 years of experience in local government, particularly in legal, democratic, and electoral services.
Born in Hackney, Dawn has a deep personal connection to the borough and is committed to improving the quality of life for its residents. Dawn began her career at Hackney Council in 2002 and has held various leadership roles with the Council. Dawn was appointed as interim Chief Executive in 2023 and confirmed in the permanent role in 2024.
.
Chief Executives Panel: Navigating Today’s Public Service Challenges
Day 1 – Thursday 23rd April, 15.15 – 16.15
..
Eddie Copeland
Founding Director of the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI)
Eddie Copeland is a specialist in how governments and public sector organisations can use innovation, data and technology to improve their operations, services and decision-making. He is the founding Director of the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI), London local government’s collaborative innovation team. He has been a Board Member of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation (CDEI), a UK government unit dedicated to enabling the trustworthy use of data and AI. Previously he was Director of Government Innovation at Nesta, the innovation foundation. He is the author of seven think tank reports on government use of technology and data.
.
Harnessing AI and Emerging Technologies to Transform the Public Sector Workforce
Day 2 – Friday 24th April, 10.10 – 10.50
..
Kate Enver
Corporate Head of Comms, HR & OD, Runnymede Borough Council
Kate Enver is Corporate Head of HR & Organisational Development at Runnymede Borough Council, where she leads strategic people-management, workforce planning and change programmes for the council.
With a strong track record in HR and OD, Kate is committed to building resilient, engaged teams and shaping organisational culture to meet evolving public-service demands.
Her leadership plays a key role in ensuring that Runnymede’s workforce is supported, effective, and capable of delivering high-quality services for local communities.
.
Fringe Session – Creating a Thriving Culture at Pace
Day 1 – Thursday 23rd April, 12.00 – 13.00
..
Sandra Farquharson
PPMA President Elect & Director of HR & Organisational Development at Hackney
Sandra Farquharson FCIPD is Director of HR & Organisational Development at the London Borough of Hackney and the incoming PPMA President (2026–2028).
With over 35 years of public‑sector experience, including two decades at the Ministry of Defence, Sandra brings deep expertise in workforce transformation, inclusion, and organisational change. She is known for championing inclusive leadership and workforce equality, helping to develop human‑resources frameworks that support diversity, equity, and long‑term staff engagement across local government.
..
Claire Gilbert
Legal Director, Capsticks
Claire Gilbert is a Legal Director within Capsticks’ Employment and Pensions team who has a wide range of expertise with employers across a range of sectors, including working with local authorities and the third sector, as well as with private and public sector clients, including police, fire, and NHS. Claire is involved in supporting clients with high value, sensitive and/or complex litigation. Claire has substantial experience advising clients in relation to various types of investigations and compliance issues, including on professional standards/elected member complaints, data protection and whistleblowing.
.
Employment Law: Key Updates and Implications
Day 2 – Friday 24th April, 11.15 – 12.00
..
Theresa Grant, OBE
Theresa Grant OBE has enjoyed a 47-year career in local government, leading councils through some of the most complex and high-profile reorganisations in recent memory. She shares candid insights on local government reform, leadership, and the 21 new reorganisation areas underway, highlighting the risks of glossy business cases, talent shortages, and political short-termism. Drawing on her experience in Northamptonshire, Liverpool, and Greater Manchester, Theresa emphasizes that true transformation must accompany reorganisation, and that real leadership requires accountability and tough decision-making. She currently serves on the Local Government Reorganisation Advisory Group.
Insights on Local Government Reform and Leadership
Day 1 – Thursday 23rd April, 14.00 – 14.50
..
Mark Hardingham
CBE QFSM
Mark worked for 35 years in the fire and rescue service. In his last role he was the Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council. The Council is the professional voice of the UK fire and rescue service and the membership body for all 50 UK fire and rescue services, Chief Fire Officers and senior leaders. Mark was elected into the role of the NFCC Chair in 2021 and served until the end of his term in 2025.
In the role Mark provided advice to Government, the Home Secretary and the Minister with responsibility for the fire and rescue service. He worked closely with the Government’s inspectorate of the fire and rescue service, national employers and other national and international fire service bodies.
Prior to being the NFCC Chair Mark was also the NFCC lead for Building Safety, a role he took on a few months before the Grenfell Tower fire. He has been extensively involved in advising and supporting Government, fire services and other fire and industry partners on all issues associated with the Grenfell Tower fire and subsequent national Inquiry.
Mark began his fire service career 35 years ago in Essex and served across many fire stations and in many roles. He was appointed as the Deputy Chief Fire Officer in Suffolk in 2010 and then Chief Fire Officer from 2013 to 2020 when he also assumed many additional roles as an Executive Director in Suffolk County Council.
Now in semi-retirement, Mark enjoys sport, fitness, reading, cooking and sitting on park benches watching the world pass by. He is married to Vickie with two grown up boys Jack and Joey…and a dog called Doris (equally a fan of the park bench).
Lessons That Must Be Learned: Reflections from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Day 2 – Friday 24th April, 12.00 – 12.45
..
Sean Hick
Partner, Capsticks
Sean Hick is a Partner in Capsticks’ national employment and pensions team, where he has extensive experience in employment law within the public sector. Sean leads on the firm’s offering for local government clients in the north of the country as well as working with ambulance sector clients. Sean is known for handling complex multi-day Employment Tribunal proceedings involving whistleblowing and/or discrimination. He has a particular expertise in giving advice on problematic employees across the spectrum of levels up to and regularly advises on high profile exits.
.
Employment Law: Key Updates and Implications
Day 2 – Friday 24th April, 11.15 – 12.00
Shokat Lal
Chief Executive, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Shokat joined Sandwell MBC as its Chief Executive in 2023 and will share a Chief Executives perspective on the challenges facing the HR, OD and Transformation community over coming years and how to influence and lead organisational decisions on these, at the top table. Shokat will also share how his personal experiences from his early career in HR have helped shape his approach as a Chief Executive.
Shokat is an experienced Senior Leader having spent much of his career delivering for communities across the Country in a range of top Local Government roles. Prior to joining Sandwell MBC Shokat was Executive Director at Barnsley Council, responsible for all Core Services, IT, Customer Services, HR & Organisational Development, Legal, Elections, Governance Services, Finance, Revenues & Benefits, Audit, Commercial, Communications & Marketing, Performance, Intelligence & Improvement and overseeing the council’s transformation programme. Shokat was previously Assistant Chief Executive at Rotherham Council and has held several Non-Executive Director roles for various NHS boards.
.
Chief Executives Panel: Navigating Today’s Public Service Challenges
Day 1 – Thursday 23rd April, 15.15 – 16.15
..
Graeme McDonald
Managing Director of Solace and Solace in Business
Graeme McDonald is Managing Director of Solace and Solace in Business and is responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of the organisation.
Prior to joining Solace Graeme had spent over fifteen years working in local government. He has worked for London Borough, Metropolitan and District councils; his final role was as the Director of Policy and Performance at the London Borough of Ealing. He also has experience in roles within social care, housing and environmental services, as well as a range of corporate and change management roles.
Graeme focuses on leadership development; influencing policy across central government and ensuring the very best of the sector is shared and built upon. He is particularly keen to develop the sector’s long term leadership capabilities and has developed a number of programmes aimed at firmly embedding high quality professional leadership in local public services.
.
Local Government Today: Challenges, Reforms, and Financial Priorities
Day 1 – Thursday 23rd April, 10.50 – 11.30
..
Stephen Moir
Chief Executive, Cambridgeshire County Council
The Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council, Stephen is involved in leading one of the fastest growing places in the country, working with a range of system partners and elected members to deliver the Council’s vision of creating a greener, fairer, more caring Cambridgeshire. His current focus is working with the Mayoral Strategic Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to maximise the region’s devolution deal and progressing Local Government Reorganisation in response to the Government’s invitation to all two-tier areas.
A proud and committed public servant, Stephen has undertaken a range of leadership roles in Local Government, the NHS, and Policing, at local, regional, and national levels, including as the Chief People Officer (National HR Director) and the Head of the HR profession for the NHS in England, the 5th largest employer in the world. As well as his employed roles Stephen has also held a range of non-executive or professional association roles, including his term as President of the Public Services People Managers Association (PPMA) in 2007-2009. For 6 years, Stephen served as a Non- Executive Director and Trustee of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). He was invited to become a Chartered Companion of the CIPD in 2021, in recognition of his contribution to the HR profession.
More recently, Stephen served as the Deputy National Spokesperson for Leadership and Learning for the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE) between 2022-2024. In April 2024, Stephen was elected as the Vice Chair of the Association of County Chief Executives (ACCE), the professional body which brings together the Chief Executives of 38 large English upper tier and unitary authorities, and in January 2026, he becomes the next Chair of the Association.
.
Chief Executives Panel: Navigating Today’s Public Service Challenges
Day 1 – Thursday 23rd April, 15.15 – 16.15
..
Caroline Nugent
HR Director , NuGenHR
Caroline Nugent FCIPD is an experienced Independent HR Director, currently working across a range of interim and consultancy assignments. With over 40 years’ experience in Human Resources and organisational development, Caroline has supported organisations through complex workforce and OD challenges, particularly during periods of significant change and transformation.
Caroline is widely recognised as an influential HR executive with a strong track record of providing strategic leadership across the public sector. She brings deep expertise in organisational design, leadership development, workforce strategy, employee relations, and cultural change, and is known for her practical, insightful approach to navigating complex people issues.
A former President of the Public Services People Managers Association (PPMA) and a Non-Executive Director of the CIPD, Caroline has played a significant role in shaping national thinking on public sector workforce and people management. Through these roles, she has championed professional standards, collaboration, and innovation across the HR profession.
Caroline is a Fellow of the CIPD and continues to work closely with senior leaders and boards, offering trusted advice, challenge, and support to help organisations build resilient, inclusive, and high-performing workforces.
.
Equal Pay: Advancing Fairness in the Workplace
Day 2 – Friday 24th April, 11.15 – 12.00
..
Pam Parkes
PPMA President
Pam Parkes, FCIPD, is a distinguished leader in public sector human resources and organisational development, currently serving as the President of the Public Services People Managers Association (PPMA) and as Equal Pay and Workforce Lead Commissioner at Birmingham City Council.
With a career spanning over four decades, Pam has held several pivotal roles in local government. Prior to her current position, she was the Executive Director for People and Transformation at Essex County Council, where she led initiatives to enhance workforce capabilities and drive organisational change. In October 2024, she was appointed as a commissioner at Birmingham City Council, focusing on workforce-related issues, leadership, culture, and addressing equal pay challenges.
In April 2024, Pam was elected President of the PPMA, succeeding Gordon McFarlane. Her presidency is marked by a commitment to strengthening the association’s offerings to its members, promoting talent development programs, and fostering collaborations with other public sector bodies. She emphasises the critical role of human resources in addressing significant challenges in public service delivery, advocating for proactive solutions to workforce issues.
Throughout her career, Pam has been recognised for her strategic vision and dedication to public service. Her leadership continues to influence the evolution of human resources practices within the public sector, aiming to build resilient and effective organisations that can adeptly serve their communities.
www.ppma.org.uk
..
Mark Rogers
Chief Executive, Leadership Centre
Mark has extensive leadership experience across education, local, regional and national government. He has been a teacher and head teacher in a variety of special schools between 1985 and 2001. Subsequently, in local government, he became a Director of Children’s Services (Solihull 2006-09) and twice a council Chief Executive (Solihull 2007-14 and Birmingham 2014-17).
Following 15 months of consultancy work with KPMG and Collaborate CIC, in June 2018 Mark became Director General for Children, Young People, Education and Skills for the Government of Jersey where he was responsible for implementing the findings of a child abuse inquiry.
In January 2022, Mark moved back to the UK to become chief executive of the Leadership Centre and, since August 2023, he has complemented this role first with leading the teams tasked with establishing the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (2023-25), the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (2025) and, presently, the Sussex and Brighton Combined County
Authority.
In his spare time Mark wonders where his spare time has gone.
.
Chief Executives Panel: Navigating Today’s Public Service Challenges
Day 1 – Thursday 23rd April, 15.15 – 16.15
..
Joanne Roney
Managing Director of Birmingham City Council
Joanne Roney is the Managing Director of Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in Europe. With extensive experience in senior public sector leadership, Joanne is widely recognised for her work in organisational transformation, financial recovery, governance, and cultural change at scale.
Since joining Birmingham City Council, Joanne has led the organisation through a period of significant challenge and reform, with a strong focus on stabilisation, accountability, and rebuilding trust. Her leadership places people, values, and inclusive practice at the heart of transformation, ensuring that workforce capability, wellbeing, and culture are central to delivering sustainable public services.
Joanne is a passionate advocate for strong public service leadership, equality, diversity and inclusion, and creating environments where people can perform at their best while delivering meaningful outcomes for communities. Her work continues to shape the national conversation around leadership, resilience, and the future of local government.
As a main stage speaker, Joanne brings an honest, authoritative, and practical perspective on leading through complexity and change in the public sector.
Leading for Meaningful Impact
Day 1 – Thursday 23rd April, 10.10 – 10.50
..
Alison Thompson
Head of People and Employer Services, Local Government East
Alison Thompson is Head of People and Employer Services for Local Government East – supporting 50 councils across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk and maintaining the trade union relationship for the region. Alison has worked in local government for many years at a senior level and is experienced in change management, organisational culture, TUPE. She has supported transformational change in many organisations and modernised HR practices.
.
Employment Rights Act: What It Means for Employer–Union Relations
Day 1 – Thursday 23rd April, 12.00 – 13.00
..
Alistair Williams
Speaker, facilitator, and leadership specialist
Alistair Williams is a speaker, facilitator, and leadership specialist who helps people communicate with impact and lead with confidence. With a background in advertising, media, and innovation (The Guardian, Condé Nast), he has guided teams through change for over two decades. Today he designs high-impact leadership and communication programmes for organisations across the UK and Europe, and is part of the PPMA Peer into the Future Programme .
Alistair is known for his ability to make complex ideas feel clear, practical, and human. He brings energy, warmth, and a touch of fun to the world of work.
.
PPMA Excellence in People Management Awards 2026 and Gala Dinner
18.30 – Late
Conference & Award Sponsors
