Andrew has served as Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council since May 2023, during which time the council has successfully moved on from statutory intervention, and is accelerating on a radical journey of improvement. Before joining Liverpool, Andrew was Chief Executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council from 2018, following roles in economic development and local government in the North East of England. He started his career as an economist in HM Treasury. Andrew is also Chair of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, a board member of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, and lead chief executive for asylum and migration issues for the North West.

Angela is Chief Executive at Castle Point Borough Council in South Essex. Across her career she has worked in numerous public private partnerships on both sides of the sectoral divide, including leading more than twenty Gateway Reviews for Local Partnerships in the heady days of PFI and BSF.

Caroline is Director of Inclusive Economy in London Borough of Islington, leading its radical and progressive economic development programme – including leveraging social value through affordable workspace, shaping inclusive town centres and building inclusive practice in growth sectors. Previously, Caroline worked in Belfast City Council, where she led on major regeneration and conflict transformation programmes, brokering complex political and community deals, resulting in £150m+ investment in local neighbourhoods. She is currently a trustee at the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), as well as chair of the Place sub-group of the Mayor’s London Anchor Institutions Network.

Dan joined Essex Housing in 2017 and is currently Managing Director, overseeing an ambitious programme of residential development in Essex. Prior to this, he managed the ECC Cabinet Office and advised Cabinet Members on Housing, Economic Growth, Infrastructure and Finance. Dan is a qualified PRINCE2 and MSP Practitioner and has a degree in Politics. He has held various roles in communications, policy, strategy and project management to add to his eight years in development.

Dan O’Sullivan is the Head of Markets & Street Trading Services at the London Borough of Hackney, where he has led one of the UK’s most awarded local government services. A nationally recognised leader and winner of the 2025 LGC Rising Star Award, Daniel has driven major commercial, economic and digital reforms — including the OpenMarkets London platform, now informing national licensing policy. He sits on the Mayor of London’s Markets Board and NABMA’s national board, advising HM Treasury, DBT and local authorities nationwide on inclusive economic growth, regulatory reform and place-based innovation.  

David became Chief Executive at South Gloucestershire Council in 2019, a Unitary Authority forming part of the West of England. He has over 20 years experience operating at Board Level and led the development of an ambitious £1 billion City Deal for the wider area, as well as being involved in the creation of the West of England Combined Authority. The council is also the accountable body for the Western Gateway Powerhouse. David has a number of regional and national roles, including being a member of the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board. David is a qualified accountant, has a Masters in Business Administration, and is an LGA peer officer. He has a passion for improving the lives of young people, reducing child poverty, and seeking to increase educational attainment.

With an impressive background in local government, David Sidaway currently holds the post of Chief Executive of Telford & Wrekin Council, having joined the authority in 2020. A local lad, David actually began his career at Wrekin District Council. Whilst working as a Director at Telford & Wrekin, David was the driving force behind the transformation of Telford town centre through the £250 million private and public sector Southwater development. Before taking the top role at Telford and Wrekin, from 2015 David spent four years with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, where he held the equivalent City Director (CEO) post. During this time, he helped create one of the country’s fastest growing enterprise zones and the city centre Smithfield development. Since becoming Chief Executive with Telford & Wrekin Council, David has successfully steered the authority through unprecedented times, leading the council’s response to two major incidents – severe flooding in February 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in March 2020 – within only a few weeks of taking up his position. Credited as a leader “who takes a complicated situation and simplifies it”, in June 2022, David’s crisis management twinned with his focus on empowering a “can do” culture at the authority led Telford & Wrekin Council to win Local Authority of the Year at the prestigious MJ Awards.

Dawn Carter-McDonald was appointed Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service at Hackney Council in May 2024. With a local government career spanning more than 20 years, Dawn first started work at Hackney Council, and in the borough where she was born, after qualifying as a Solicitor. Between 2019 and 2023 Dawn transformed the Council’s legal services, significantly improved the Council’s governance services, and played a key role in the development and implementation of service delivery reforms. Dawn has always had a connection and passion for the Borough and its residents; she chose to give her commitment to the Public Sector as she wanted her legal expertise to be used for the benefit of local residents, and those most in need. She now leads the entire workforce, as Head of Paid Service, and her commitment to equity, diversity, belonging and transformation to ensure fair outcomes for all residents, continues to be a driver

Debbie Barnes was appointed to Chief Executive of Lincolnshire County Council on 1st January 2020. Prior to this, Debbie was Director of Children's Services and held this position since 2013. During her time as chief executive, Debbie has led the development of the ten year Corporate Plan for the Council and has driven through a one council approach, integrating service planning and delivery across the council and with partners. Starting her career as a children’s nurse, Debbie is passionate about the benefits of integrated health and care services to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities and address health inequalities.

Donna Manson became Chief Executive of Devon County Council in February 2023 and has since made Devon her permanent home. Now a proud Devon resident, she has embraced village life and is passionate about serving the communities that make the county so unique. Donna is dedicated to improving the lives of children, young people, and families across Devon, with a strong focus on transforming children’s social care and SEND services. Her leadership is grounded in an evidence-based approach and a deep commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring the Council is responsive, resilient, and ready for the future. As Chief Executive, Donna leads the strategic direction of Devon County Council, championing innovation and collaboration to meet the evolving needs of local residents. She oversees Corporate Services, including Democratic Services, Policy, Legal Services, Human Resources, and Finance, and is driving a renewed focus on People and Culture. This work is underpinned by the Council’s People Strategy, which reflects Devon’s values of care, kindness, and its commitment to delivering better outcomes and value for money for the people of Devon. Originally from Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland, Donna holds a Bachelor of Education from Moray House at the University of Edinburgh. She began her career in education, working in areas of deprivation and advocating for families facing inequality. Her leadership journey has spanned three Scottish councils, culminating in her role as Chief Executive of The Highland Council, Scotland’s largest rural authority, before joining Devon. Donna brings a wealth of experience in leading through change and building strong, place-based partnerships. Her vision for Devon is one of inclusive growth, community empowerment, and sustainable public services that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of the people who live and work here.

Jason Strelitz leads work at the Health Foundation on shifting to a more prevention focussed model of public policy and services across national, local Government and the NHS across the UK. Until autumn 2025 he was Coporate Director of Adults, Health and Communities at Newham Council, being DASS and a DPH. A DPH by training, Jason has recently published a book on local Government in the pandemic, "Same storm, different boats: covid, community and how we come together, published by Hawksmoor Publishing.

John Hewitt was appointed to the role of Chief Executive, Durham County Council in December 2020 having previously been Corporate Director with responsibility for Resources at the council. Prior to moving to Durham County Council in 2016 as Corporate Director Resources, he was Corporate Director of Resources at South Tyneside Council, Deputy Chief Executive of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Head of Finance with Durham Constabulary, Head of Finance with Cleveland Police and an Accountant with Sedgefield Borough Council. John is responsible for the strategic management of the council, which has a gross expenditure budget of nearly £1.4 billion. Durham County Council is the largest council in the North East and the seventh largest in the UK, employing more than 10,000 staff. John is passionate about County Durham having been brought up in the area and has spent his entire working life in the region. He is focused on finding ways to improve Local Communities and improving their life prospects - helping people find sustainable employment in the County. John is currently overseeing the economic development of County Durham, with billions of pounds being invested in the county across the private and public sectors. John has also been responsible for leading change within the council with a focus on residents and businesses and striving to provide the services people want and need. John is also leading on devolution across the region. The visitor economy has topped £1 billion in the county and John is keen to further develop the unique cultural heritage that exists in the county and the region.

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 and a Director-General at the Department of Health and Social Care. He is a Director of Bradford Children and Families Trust and sits on the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS Board as a partner member and executive champion for children’s health. Jon is the SOLACE national lead for Housing, Planning and Infrastructure and a member of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods.

Jonathan has worked within local government for over 25 years, predominantly undertaking senior leadership roles, across a range of different organisations, Ipswich Borough Council, The London Borough of Enfield, Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils, Brentwood Borough Council and Rochford District 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 East Essex Local Authorities (ASELA) and a Commission for the Essex Climate Action Committee. Jonathan also represents Solace (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers) at board level as a Non-Executive Director, and is on the DCN (District Council Network) national Chief Executive Group as a South East Region representative.

Julia has been Director of Public Health at Hull City Council since moving into local government in November 2013. She has been Deputy Chief Executive for since 2020.. She was one of the first Directors of Public Health to become Deputy CE in England. Julia became a Non-Executive Director for Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust in October 2022. Julia’s background is in the NHS, starting her career in nursing in 1984. She worked in acute hospitals, primary care and later as a specialist respiratory nurse and senior NHS manager where she gained support to do the further study in public health that led to her to a successful career in public health including a period as Training Programme Director in Yorkshire and Humber. Julia takes a values driven approach to leadership and is experienced in personal and organisational development. Julia has held several regional roles including chair of the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Directors of Public health (YHADPH) during the pandemic response, an assessor for the United Kingdom Public Health Register (UKPHR) and regional advisor and assessor for the Faculty of Public Health. Julia was elected to the UK ADPH Board in 2023. She was one of the founding members of the Centre of Excellence for Tobacco Control for HNY ICB and co-chair of the population health and prevention board. Julia stepped back from her full-time role in Hull City Council in October 2025. She continues to contribute to regional and national public health leadership and to supporting personal and organisational change and improvement in the public sector.

Kathy O’Leary is the Chief Executive of Stroud District Council in Gloucestershire, which owns and manages a council housing stock of 5000 homes and serves 10,000 tenants. She has worked in Local Government for over 35 years, for county and district councils in Hampshire, Surrey and, since taking up her current post in November 2018, Gloucestershire. Kathy is the Solace spokesperson for the Environment and Climate Change portfolio and is the South West Chief Executive lead on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. She is passionate about public service and staff development, and is proud of the organisational culture she leads.

Kim has been Chief Executive of Brent Council since May 2023 and leads a workforce of around 2500 people, with a focus on delivering of corporate priorities. Before joining Brent, Kim had been Chief Executive of Lewisham Council where she led the council’s response to the global pandemic, and prior to that, she held a range of Corporate Director roles at Hackney Council, responsible for a large range of front facing services. Kim began her local government career in leisure services at Spelthorne Borough Council, moving on to work at Barnet Council before joining Hackney. She has several pan London roles – as Chair of the London Partnership Board’s Tackling Structural Inequalities subgroup and as Deputy Chair of London’s Local Resilience Forum.

Louise Neilan is currently Assistant Director for Communications and Engagement at Thurrock Council, and also the Chair of LGcomms –a national membership body working to raise the standard of communications in the public sector. She has extensive experience in local government communications, having worked at Southwark Council, the Audit Commission, and other London Boroughs over her 25 year career. She believes passionately in the power of collaboration and networks to solve problems and support colleagues and communities, and has presented widely on learnings from crises, including the London Bridge and Borough terror attacks in 2017.

Mark has been a teacher, a local and regional government officer and a civil servant. He also runs the Leadership Centre, a charity committed to, er, leadership as the means of improving outcomes for communities. His abiding interests are excellence in public service and the preservation of record shops.

Mark Fowler has worked in local government since 1991, with over 12 years of experience at director level and above. He has led large teams and complex services across housing, social care, human resources, and community engagement. Mark joined Luton Borough Council in February 2022 as Corporate Director for Population Wellbeing and became Deputy Chief Executive in April 2023. He was formally appointed Chief Executive in July 2025. During his time at Luton, Mark led the Council’s 5-year Transformation Programme, delivering system-wide improvements and achieving significant financial savings. He also served as the corporate lead for tackling health inequalities, focusing on housing, social care, and place-based provision. As Chief Executive, Mark now oversees a council serving over 230,000 residents, with a workforce of approximately 2,700 employees. His leadership is central to advancing the Luton 2040 vision—a town-wide strategy aiming to make Luton a healthy, fair, and sustainable place where no one lives in poverty. Mark is passionate about improving outcomes for residents and tackling inequalities. His priorities include: • Ensuring access to secure housing and employment opportunities • Supporting community safety and wellbeing • Navigating funding challenges and rising service demand • Strengthening partnerships across sectors Mark is known for his collaborative leadership style and has earned praise for his commitment to meaningful change. Councillor Hazel Simmons MBE, Leader of the Council, described him as “genuinely passionate about improving the lives of our residents”.

Matt O’Neill is an accomplished public sector leader with over two decades of experience in economic development, regeneration, and strategic planning across Northern England. As the Executive Director of Growth and Sustainability at Barnsley Council, he leads initiatives in economic regeneration, planning, housing, culture, zero carbon, environment, transport, and regulatory services. Matt has driven transformative projects like Street Seam Digital Campus and Yorkshire Rose sculptures, and initiatives like Health on the High Street and Pathways to Work. He is known for his strategic thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative approach.

Maxine is Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service at Breckland Council, leading over 300 staff to deliver essential local services. With 25+ years' leadership experience in both public and private sectors, and a background in HR, she is a CIPD Fellow passionate about people, performance, and change. In 2021, she led a major transformation at Breckland, creating a modern, flexible workplace with a culture that places people at the heart. A former Monitoring Officer, she now mentors senior officers and advises councils on workforce reform. In 2024, Maxine won MJ’s prestigious Chief Executive of the Year Award. She is now helping shape Norfolk’s future through the Local Government Reorganisation process.

Mel is the Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Housing and Homelessness in Somerset Council working as a system leader in health, social care and housing. Mel is also the chair of SW ADASS and the Use of Resources Co-Lead for ADASS. Mel joined Somerset in 2011 and held various roles within the council before becoming the DASS in Nov 2020. Housing has been a recent addition to her portfolio. Mel previously worked in BANES, Wiltshire, and Greenwich and began her career training as a registered nurse for people with a learning disability in Kent.

Mervin Cato is head of the Behaviour Support Service in Enfield and has worked in education for over 20 years. In 2018 Enfield Council launched Nexus, an initiative which aimed to reduce permanent exclusions and serious youth violence. Since then, permanent exclusions have decreased by 80% and serious youth violence by over 40%. This has allowed for the PRU to do more preventative work with individual students. Mervin along with the BSS team continues to connect with families, community leaders, head teachers, faith groups, charities, the police, local and national businesses, and educational organisations to support young people in Enfield. The NEXUS family has worked together to transform mindsets and to focus on improving young people’s aspirations, opportunities and ultimately their life chances. In his book, 'Your Family Needs You,' Mervin draws on both his family life and his educational experience to provide parents with practical advice on how to effectively support their children through the complexities of the school system.

Paul Sesay is a significant leader in the UK's diversity, equality, and inclusion sector. In 2006, he founded several important organisations, including the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, National Diversity Awards, and Inclusive Awards; in addition to these roles, Sesay is also the founder of Black Leaders and Black Inclusion Week, initiatives aimed at promoting and celebrating black leadership and inclusion in various sectors. Sesay's work primarily involves collaborating with large organisations to enhance their diversity and inclusion profiles. He also actively engages in community initiatives, focusing on empowering individuals from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. His efforts have played a crucial role in acknowledging and celebrating the commitment to diversity by numerous organisations and individuals across the UK. Through his leadership and dedication, Paul Sesay has made a substantial impact on promoting inclusive practices and diversity across different sectors in the UK, positively affecting many lives and the culture of various organisations.

I'm having a great time leading an organisation that is striving for excellence in the things it does. I am a visiting Professor at Cardiff University, a Governor of Cardiff Metropolitan University, a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, Lead Chief Executive for the Cardiff Capital Region, Board Member of SOLACE Wales, Board Member of SRS (Wales), Chief Executive to the Lord Lieutenancy of Gwent.

Rob Polkinghorne is an accomplished and forward-thinking Chief Executive with a distinguished career spanning over 25 years across local government, the NHS, fire and rescue services, and the third sector. He currently serves as Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council, where he leads a workforce of 4,000 and oversees a £475 million annual budget, delivering services for around 400,000 residents. Known for his strategic clarity and operational drive, Rob has led major transformation programmes and regeneration initiatives across urban and rural contexts. His leadership has delivered significant financial savings and service innovations - from spearheading £100m+ regeneration schemes in Crewe, to driving integrated housing and infrastructure partnerships, to stabilising council finances amid unprecedented pressures. Prior to joining Cheshire East, Rob served as Chief Executive of Southend-on-Sea City Council and as Chief Operating Officer at Aberdeen City Council, where he led a nationally recognised transformation programme that secured multiple UK local government awards. His career has also included senior roles in the NHS and local and regional regeneration bodies, with a consistent focus on inclusive growth, sustainability, and service excellence. Rob is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives. He brings a collaborative and values-led leadership style, with a strong track record in organisational culture change, innovation, and cross-sector partnership working. He is passionate about place-making, social equity and achieving net zero - and has championed award-winning initiatives in climate action, education reform and digital inclusion.

Robin has been Chief Executive of Calderdale Council since June 2017, and the Accountable Place Lead for Calderdale for NHS West Yorkshire since July 2022. He is Solace Spokesperson for Economic Prosperity, and has led and supported LGA Peer Reviews for the past 15 years. Robin leads on migration for Yorkshire and Humber and is the SRO for Improving Population Health for West Yorkshire ICB. He is an honorary life member for the Faculty of Public Health.

The Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council since 2022, 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. 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 in both Scotland and England. He has also been a non-executive director for public sector improvement agencies, a professional institute and was the Vice Chair of the University Court for Edinburgh Napier University. Stephen served as the Deputy National Spokesperson for Leadership and Learning for the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE) from 2022-2024. In April 2024, Stephen was elected as the Vice Chair of the Association of County Chief Executives, the professional body which brings together the Chief Executives of 38 large English upper tier and unitary authorities.

Tracy Bingham is the Executive Director – Resources and Transformation and Section 151 Officer at South Derbyshire District Council, a role she has held since June 2023. Tracy began her local government career in 2008 as a Finance Systems Leader in Council Housing. Since then, she has held a variety of roles across district councils in Leicestershire before moving to Derbyshire, with a focus on finance and the broader corporate agenda. She is an active member of the District Council Network (DCN), contributing to strategic finance and local government funding policy. In addition, she serves as Vice Chair of the Board for her local Active Partnership, Active Together, where she helps shape initiatives that promote healthier, more active lifestyles within the community. Tracy is also committed to developing future leaders in local government. She mentors aspiring Section 151 Officers through the Local Government Association’s mentoring scheme and DCN’s Staff Development Programme. Her passions lie in health and wellbeing, localism, and local government finance, where she continues to make a meaningful impact.

William has been Chief Executive of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council since 2009. Prior to that he was Deputy Chief Executive and has held a number of senior manager roles in local government. His background is in international development, and he spent three years with the International Development Select Committee in the House of Commons and a period of time working within the voluntary sector. William is a spokesperson for the sector on finance issues and chairs the Kent-wide grouping of chief executives and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (FRSA).