Premium & Prime Sponsors
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Mo Baines
Chief Executive at Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE)
Mo has decades of experience in public policy work and in local government; with a specific interest in service delivery models in local government Mo is passionate about delivering excellence in public services. Mo contributes to research, press articles and creates local government policy events on a wide range of topics including climate change, commercialisation, housing and local government finance. Mo also works closely with trade unions on workforce matters, including carrying out numerous research projects, training workshops and as a guest speaker for events.
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APSE overview on workforce matters in local government frontline services
Day 2 – Thursday 25th April, 11.15 – 12.00
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Shonette Bason Wood
Founder Spreading the Happiness
Shonette Bason-Wood is Guinness World Record Holder, mother of four, International Speaker and award-winning author. Shonette is different in style and content, from her look to her ability to lift an audience to a whole new level of thinking. She has created a positive global community within education in which educators put their own happiness first to impact on the children they work with. Famous for her fine muscle exercise Dough Disco,
Shonette works Internationally with over 26 countries with Spread the Happiness Educators.
Shonette’s passion for the welfare of children both academically and physically led her to start her own charity Spreading the Happiness, which provides hampers through schools to address the issue of Holiday Hunger.
Shonette has now taken her Inspirational work into the Corporate Sector and delivers keynotes and training on professionalism and honesty in the workforce and for each person to take responsibility for their own behaviours.
Her message, performance, political satire and precision timed delivery, smattered with eye watering humour and unrivalled passion truly empower the audience to take hold of their life now and live it. Her work spans all ages encouraging people to take control of current trends and agendas by focussing on happiness, humour, reality, risk taking, and positivity.
Voted one of the happiest people in the UK 2019. She has now had her happiness, tested, challenged and even destroyed! Listen to her brand new Covid secure happiness with a warning that it may make you laugh out loud again.
Shonette is not a motivational speaker but an experience. The audience will leave the session, but she will leave a Permission To legacy that every person will benefit from, and the ripple effect that has, has the potential to impact on 1000’s of people.
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PPMA Awards Evening host
Day 2 – Thursday 25th April, 19.30 – till late
Fringe session
Day 3 – Friday 26th April, 11.00 – 11.45
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Dr. Max Blumberg
Expert in AI-Driven Analytics and Organisational Strategy
Dr. Max Blumberg is distinguished for his nuanced understanding of AI and analytics, focusing on their transformative impact on human resources and organisational structures. As the founder of the Blumberg Partnership, he has consulted for various sectors, including targeted projects for public institutions such as the Ministry of Defence and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the UK. Holding a PhD in Psychology from the University of London, Max combines academic rigour with multi-disciplinary strategy, finance, and HR expertise. His consultative approach is geared towards delivering practical, data-driven solutions that optimise workforce operations and inform policy decisions. As a visiting academic and Chartered Psychologist, Max’s work synthesises scholarly depth and pragmatic innovation.
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Unlocking the Future: How Local Councils Can Harness AI for Community-Centric Solutions
Day 3 – Friday 26th April, 11.45 – 12.30
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Stella Chandler
Director, Focal Point
Stella has worked as a trainer, facilitator and coach at every level in a wide range of organisations, including government departments, private sector and not-for-profit organisations. She draws from a wealth of experience including 15 years in the Metropolitan Police Service, where she was the first civilian HR and Training Manager, and 3 years in the Internal Conduct and Efficiency Branch investigating the full range of misconduct and
performance issues.
She has run Focal Point since 2001, specialising in helping organisations tackle inappropriate behaviour at work. www.focalpointtraining.com
She is a fellow of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personal and Development)
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HR; are we handling the “bad banter”?”
Day 3 – Friday 26th April, 11.00 – 11.45
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Rebecca Davis
Chief Executive, West Midland Employers
With over 20 years experience working in the Public Sector and a Fellow of the CIPD, Rebecca has lived and breathed the challenges relating to HR, OD and Transformation. She has a drive and passion to lead innovation in the sector and is proud to have led the transformation of West Midlands Employers as Chief Executive, for the past 5 ½ years.
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Adapting to the Future: Navigating Flexible and Hybrid Working
Day 2 – Thursday 25th April, 12.00 – 13.00
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Dr. Dorian Dugmore
Director, Corporate Wellness
Dr Dorian Dugmore (PhD Cardiovascular Medicine) is internationally recognised as an expert in cardiovascular health, preventative medicine and wellness. His programmes have won World and European Best Practice awards for corporate wellness.
Dorian has been working in Cardiovascular Medicine and Wellness for 30 years and has written extensively on health, exercise and heart disease. His doctoral research conducted within the U.K. specialised in cardiovascular medicine and focused on the rehabilitation of post heart attack patients and was published in the prestigious journal “Heart”.
Dorian is one of the most sought after speakers on his subject of Wellness and speaks all over the World for businesses and organisations that are keen to understand the impact of Corporate Wellness on their performance.
He has spoken at numerous events around the globe and provides his audiences with thought provoking tools and techniques which they can apply to both their work and home lives to enhance wellness.
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Peak performance & resilience
Day 3 – Friday 26th April, 09.30 – 10.20
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Alison Griffin
Chief Executive, London Councils
Ali Griffin is Chief Executive of London Councils – the collective of London local government – the 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation. Ali took up her role at London Councils in 2021 working on a cross party basis with Leaders and directly-elected Mayors across London to deliver their agreed Shared Ambitions; promoting borough and partner collaboration for the benefit of London and Londoners.
Before joining London Councils, Ali was Chief Executive at Southend-on-Sea Council from July 2017- July 2021. She was instrumental in developing Southend 2050, the resident and stakeholder led ambition for the borough and establishing the partnership association for the South Essex Local Authorities (South Essex Councils).
Prior to that Ali was director of finance and corporate services at the London Borough of Bexley and has also worked at the London Borough of Camden where amongst other roles she was Assistant Director Communities and Deputy Director of Finance. She trained as an accountant with PWC government practice specialising in local government finance. She is a Fellow of the Charted Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
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Systems Leadership in Practice
Day 1 – Wednesday 24th April, 16.30 – 17.15
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Nadira Hussain
Chief Executive, Socitm
An established ICT and change management leader, NED and coach with 25+ years’ experience, Nadira has worked primarily in local government; leading the ICT and digital service, managing wider teams including business improvement, transformation and customer services. Nadira has implemented numerous complex change programmes across shared services to deliver new operating models, efficiencies and service improvement.
At Socitm, Nadira is keen to support members shape and deliver effective public services through improved use and adoption of technologies, data and digital solutions & practices. She continues to focus on the work she initiated as president of the society (15/16), building the leadership, skills and diversity of the sector’s workforce. Her passion is to tackle inequality, promote professionalism, improve personal development opportunities and champion women role models.
Her wider responsibilities include director for Federation for Informatics Professionals (FEDIP) advisory board, board member for the Institute of Government and Public Policy (IGPP), board member for the Solace in Business (SiB) Board. Her voluntary and charitable work include; steering group member for the Shuri Network, the Solace EDI forum and Diversity in Local Government Leadership (DLGL) forum, co-founder and co-chair of the Socitm/UKAuthority Women in Local Government ICT network and non-executive director for the #techmums board. Awaiting confirmation of appointment to the Executive Committee of the Major Cities of Europe (MCE) forum.
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Adapting to the Future: Navigating Flexible and Hybrid Working
Day 2 – Thursday 25th April, 12.00 – 13.00
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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.
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Keynote speaker
Day 1 – Wednesday 24th April, 15.00 – 15.45
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Prof Anthony Montgomery
Professor of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, Northumbria University Newcastle
Anthony Montgomery is the Professor of Occupational and Organisational Psychology at Northumbria University Newcastle (UK). His research focuses on job burnout, organisational culture and healthy workplaces. Prior to this, he held academic positions in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, University College Cork (Ireland), and the University of Macedonia (Greece). Since 1999, he has successfully combined the roles of organisational consultant and academic. He has published material in both the scientific and popular press. He is actively involved in disseminating his research findings with the public in terms of blogs, podcasts and magazines. His education includes a BA in Psychology from University College Dublin (Ireland), a MLitt from Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), and a PhD from Utrecht University (The Netherlands).
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Creating Healthy Workplaces: Sorting the Wheat from the Chaff
Day 2 – Thursday 25th April, 12.00 – 13.00
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David Purdue
Deputy Chief Exec, Chief Nurse, AHP and People Officer for the North East and North
Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS)
With a wealth of experience in healthcare leadership, David plays a pivotal role in driving the strategic direction of the ICS, overseeing nursing, allied health professional (AHP) services, and workforce development initiatives. Known for his passion for improving patient care and enhancing workforce capabilities, David is dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation across the healthcare landscape. His commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centered care makes him an invaluable asset to the North East and North Cumbria region.
www.northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk
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Chief Executives panel discussion
Day 1 – Wednesday 24th April, 15.00 – 15.45
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Jon Richards
Assistant General Secretary, UNISON
Jon is Assistant General Secretary (Bargaining, Negotiating and Equalities) for UNISON – the UK’s largest union, with over 1 and a quarter million members. UNISON represents workers in the public services, for private contractors providing public services and in the essential utilities.
Jon has responsibility for overseeing UNISON’s industrial relations functions such as national negotiations with employers and government, industrial action and equalities.
He is Vice Chair of the Local Government Pension Scheme Advisory Board and has management oversight for UNISON’s own pension scheme.
He represents UNISON at the European Public Services Union (EPSU) and the global federation Public Service International (PSI). Jon recently represented EPSU/PSI at the United Nation’s International Labour Organisation Meeting of Experts on Wages and Living Wages. He has also represented PSI at meetings with the international employers organisation United Cities and Local Government.
He was previously Head of Local Government and Education for UNISON. Former employers include the British Association of Occupational Therapists, the London Borough of Camden’s HIV Unit and SCPR (now the National Centre for Social Research).
He was born in Lichfield Staffordshire, attended King Edward VI Comprehensive School and studied geology at King’s College, London.
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Adapting to the Future: Navigating Flexible and Hybrid Working
Day 2 – Thursday 25th April, 12.00 – 13.00
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Joe Ryle
Director, 4 day week
Joe Ryle is Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, Media and Comms Lead for the think tank Autonomy and a former Labour Party press officer and adviser to former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell MP.
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Adapting to the Future: Navigating Flexible and Hybrid Working
Day 2 – Thursday 25th April, 12.00 – 13.00
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Jonathan Stephenson
Chief Executive Brentwood and Rochford Councils
Jonathan has worked within local government for over 20 years, predominately undertaking senior leadership roles, across a range of different organisations, Ipswich Borough Council, The London Borough of Enfield, Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils and Brentwood Borough Council.
Jonathan is currently Joint Chief Executive at Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District Council. Working more widely in Essex he is also the lead CEO for Housing and Infrastructure for the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA) and a Commissioner for the Essex Climate Action Committee.
Jonathan also holds an external board level role as a Non-Executive Director for Solace in Business and is a board member of Suffolk New College (Further education college).
Outside of work Jonathan is kept very busy as he has 4 children that provides him with a variety of positive distractions from the workplace. When not on family duty his main social interests are travelling, cycling, golf, watching and sometimes playing football.
www.rochfordandbrentwood.co.uk
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Chief Executives panel discussion
Day 1 – Wednesday 24th April, 15.00 – 15.45
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Bernadette Thompson, OBE
Director of EDI at Kings College Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust and as an Associate Facilitator for the CQ Centre.
Bernadette Thompson OBE is a trailblazing leader in the field of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), currently serving as the Director of EDI at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and as an Associate Facilitator for the CQ Centre. With an impressive career spanning 23 years in the Civil Service, Bernadette has left an indelible mark on the inclusion landscape of various UK Government Departments and Agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, Home Office, HM Treasury, Legal Aid Agency, Cabinet Office, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.
Known for her strategic acumen, Bernadette has played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing inclusion strategies within multiple departments, fostering diversity, and driving cultural transformation. Her expertise as a progressive HR professional extends to areas such as Diversity, Inclusion, Culture, and Inclusive practice. Bernadette is recognised for leveraging her leadership capabilities to innovate strategies that promote accountability and engagement, diversify talent pipelines, and create thriving work cultures.
For five years, Bernadette co-chaired a cross-Government race network, earning multiple awards for its impact. She is a trusted influencer among senior leaders across sectors, demonstrating a remarkable ability to engage with employees at all levels, inspiring them to reach their full potential.
As a sought-after speaker and facilitator, Bernadette delivers keynotes and facilitates discussions on various topics, including Diversity, Inclusion, organisational culture change, leadership, employee engagement, and wellbeing. Her contributions were acknowledged in 2020 when she won the Workplace Hero category in the national Investing in Ethnicity Awards and, in 2021, secured the prestigious “We are the City” Rising Star Champion award. Her commitment to Diversity and Inclusion was further recognised in 2021 when she was awarded an OBE.
In 2023, Bernadette was named one of the top 100 D&I inspirational leaders in the UK and on the Top 50 Diversity Powerlist, a testament to her ongoing impact in the field. She has also contributed to publications like ‘Still Breathing’ and was featured in SHE2’s first Wonder Women publication, redefining leadership in the world of work.
Beyond her professional achievements, Bernadette has served as a Community Governor at a local infant school for over 18 years.
Her volunteer work includes contributing to athletics/sports events such as the 2012 Olympics, 2017 World Athletics, and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. As a Trustee for Kings College charity and Black Inclusion Week, and a member of the advisory committee for Black Women in HR and Career Nuggets, Bernadette continues to make a meaningful impact on the communities she serves.
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Becoming an Inclusive Leader
Day 1 – Wednesday 24th April, 15.45 – 16.30
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Chris Twigg
Co-Founder & Director of Inner Circle
Chris is a founding director of Inner Circle Consulting, an expert in programme and project management, property, change management and strategy, with 20 years’ experience of leading teams and organisations to deliver property transformation projects that make a difference. Inner Circle is a 21st century consultancy for 21st century challenges, aiming to deliver strong public services and thriving places so everyone can live a good life. The big missions of local government and its partners are our purpose. Working alongside the public sector for more than a decade, we know the impact of austerity, Covid and the cost-of-living crisis and we know that radical transformation and rebuilding civic trust in institutions are the only way to foresee and prevent future crisis. Our success lies in the success of future leaders to maintain their organisations’ relevance and viability in a world marked by inequalities, and inadequacies in the public response.
www.innercircleconsulting.co.uk
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What makes a great and successful recruitment campaign
Day 3 – Friday 26th April, 11.00 – 11.45
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Kirk Vallis
Creative leader, coach and innovation skills trainer
Kirk helps leaders, teams and organisations use creativity to solve problems.
At Google, he does this in two ways – by partnering on projects where the team recognises they need to disrupt their thinking to develop new options, and also by training Googlers on the techniques and approaches that help us be even more creative on demand, when it’s needed most. Kirk Built Google’s Magic Academy, a revered program to help make creativity as valued a part of Googlers’ toolkit as knowledge and technical based skills. Where time permits, Kirk acts as an advisor, mentor and public speaker. He partners with organisations non-conflicting to Google, to help them develop creative capability at all levels in their organisations. This currently includes global organisations such as Adidas, Mastercard and ING. He also leads a module on creative problem solving for both the English Football Association UEFA Pro coaching licence and their Technical Director program. He recently supported England Rugby’s senior men’s team in preparation for the successful Summer 2022 tour of Australia. He is also an ambassador for Moving Ahead, a social enterprise focussed on helping drive greater inclusion and belonging to businesses all over the world.
Kirk has been a mentor to The Hope Fund for Cancer Research, helping some of the world’s most respected biologists, geneticists and Nobel prize winners, to disrupt traditional thinking. He has also led workshops at Wharton business school and Stanford, to help senior executives unlock even more creativity in themselves and their teams.
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Disrupt or be Disrupted!
Day 2 – Thursday 25th April, 10.00 – 10.45
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Helio Vogas
Leadership & Motivational speaker
You can see videos of him in action at www.heliovogas.com and raving reviews from people like the CIO at Unicef UK, an IBM Champion for Analytics, the president of the Polish Data Community, and more.
Hélio has spoken from local business breakfast groups to TEDx and the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Austria. From student assemblies to audiences of C-level executives of Fortune 500 companies. From data professionals to agile and scrum leaders.
He uses eye-catching demonstrations, humorous interactions with the audience and high-energy moments to drive the message home and make it memorable and inspire action.
With science-backed and business-proven tips and strategies explained in an interactive and engaging way, Hélio will give you the tools and strategies you need to become a more effective leader, especially under extreme stress.
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Leadership in Crisis
Day 2 – Thursday 25th April, 14.00 – 15.00
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Ritika Wadhwa
Chief Executive Officer, Prabhaav Global
Ritika was born and brought up in India. She went on to achieve an MBA in the UK and broke all barriers as an immigrant to Canada and the UK. Ritika has over 30 years of experience working at Board level across 3 continents, with senior stakeholders – within the public and private sector.
Ritika is on a mission to bring inclusion and innovation to the heart of organizations, and she believes that Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is a capability which can do that. Following her recent role as COO at the Cultural Intelligence Centre, Ritika is now the Founder and CEO of Prabhaav Global. Prabhaav means impact in Hindi and organization’s mission is to apply the transformational power of Cultural
Intelligence for impactful leadership.
Ritika is a CQ Certified Facilitator and a Fellow at the Society of Leadership Fellows, Windsor Castle. She sits on the Strategic Advisory Board member for British Transport Police and is a Trustee and Board Director at the 5% club. Ritika is also a sought-after Keynote speaker.
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CQ Master Class
Day 2 – Thursday 25th April, 12.00 – 13.00
Conference & Award Sponsors
