Programme

The LGC Digital Futures programme features the Digital Leadership stage: where we will host keynote presentations, panel discussions and fireside chats.

There will also be 2 satellite stages: Digital Innovation stage: for sharing case studies and best practice and how they made the experience easier for residents and Digital Challenges: roundtables working on challenges and presenting outcomes.

The programme is shown below and if you are interested in contributing to it, please contact Bhavya Singh at bhavya.singh@emap.com


Digital Leadership Stage

The main stage will tackle the wicked issues and provide insight to enable the senior leadership team to lead their organisation into the digital age.

  • Leading a digital place for its residents and the workforce
  • Focusing on strategic and holistic thinking
  • Accelerating digital transformation to become more efficient and evidence-led  
  • Driving cultural and behavioural change
  • Preventing system disconnects and mitigating their impact on productivity


Digital Innovation Stage

On this stage aimed at service, operational and community leads, the key focus will be on sharing best practice, and how digital innovation has made a difference to residents' experience.

  • Showcasing innovations which have already been seen to work effectively and improve residents’ lives
  • Optimising the use of AI to focus on productivity and transparency
  • Understanding data sources and how they can ensure evidence-led decision making
  • Enabling communities to engage digitally


Digital Challenges Stage

This fully immersive stage will enable you to work collaboratively with your peers in a safe environment on a common challenge:

  • Challenge-led stream where attendees choose a challenge to work on with their peers
  • The challenges are suggested by attendees and sponsors in advance and will address the wicked issues  
  • Taking place in a safe environment and promoting knowledge exchange and innovative thinking
  • They will foster collaboration and practical advice giving among participants
  • At round tables, groups work together and present their practical solutions at the end of the event

09:15 – 09:45

Registration & Networking

09:45 – 09:50

Chair’s Opening Remarks

Chair: Sarah Calkin , editor, Local Government Chronicle

09:50 – 10:20

Opening keynote: Defining the digital future of government

  • How digital solutions can reshape council operations
  • The role of local and national government in developing new solutions

Confirmed speaker:

Milan Bogunovic , Programme Director, Digital Planning Programme, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

Chair: Sarah Calkin , editor, Local Government Chronicle

10:20 – 11:00

Panel Discussion: Mapping the long-term vision and digital transformation plan

  • Considering a 10-year roadmap
  • Anticipating what digital government could look like in five years, including potential for advanced AI, sustainable tech, and smarter infrastructure

Confirmed speakers:
Kit Collingwood , Assistant Director, Digital and Customer Services, Greenwich RBC
Rob Huntington , Chief Executive, Rossendale Council
Steve Hughes , Assistant Director of Strategy and Performance, Oldham Council
Alex Luck , Programme Director - National Digital Twin Programme, Dept for Business and Trade

Chair: Sarah Calkin , editor, Local Government Chronicle

11:00 – 11:30

Morning refreshments and networking break

11:30 - 12:15


Digital Leadership Stage

Panel Discussion – Future funding of digital transformation
11:30 – 12:15

Build or buy: crafting the best approach

Building a business case in times of financial crisis

Confirmed speakers:
Rehana Ramesh , Acting Director, Customer Services, Digital and Data, Hackney LBC

Philip Gregory , Director of Finance & Commercial Services Sheffield City Council

Ade Marques , Assistant Director Digital and IT - Directorate of Resources, Reading BC

Hardyal Dhindsa , Cabinet Member for Digital and Organizational Transformation, Derby City Council

Kathryn Rees , Executive Director for Corporate and Support Services, Stockport MBC

Chair: Martin George , deputy editor, Local Government Chronicle


Digital Innovation Stage

Panel Discussion – Focusing on user-centric and accessible services
11:30 – 12:15

Resident-centric approaches; digital accessibility and inclusivity: adopting user experiences like those provided by leading tech companies where interactions are quick, digital, and convenient.

Confirmed speakers:
Fran Lautman , Head of Customer and Digital Experience, Oldham MBC

Lizzie Barton , Director for Customer, Resident & Business Services, Lichfield DC

Tim Pearse , Head of Insight and Innovation, LB Barking and Dagenham

Luke Piper , Lead User Researcher, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council

Chair: Kirsty Weakley , head of content, Local Government Chronicle


Digital Challenge Stage

Interactive round tables working on service design challenges and innovative solutions
11:30 – 12:15

(Morning session)

Technology as a driver for positive change

Steve Roud, Chief Officer Digital & Technology, Aberdeen City Council

 

Leading digital transformation in adult social care and health

Sarah Spence , Adult Social Care Strategic Digital Commissioner, Kingston Council LBC

 

Chair: Sarah Calkin , editor, Local Government Chronicle

12:15 - 12:35

Case study
12:15 – 12:35

Chair:

Case study
12:15 – 12:35

Chair:

Session summary and outcomes
12:15 – 12:35

Confirmed speakers:

Steve Roud, Chief Officer Digital & Technology, Aberdeen City Council

Sarah Spence , Adult Social Care Strategic Digital Commissioner, Kingston Council LBC

 

Chair: Sarah Calkin , editor, Local Government Chronicle

12:35 - 13:35

Lunch and networking break

13:35-14:25


Digital Leadership Stage

Case study: Behind the spend: unpacking Local Gov's tech procurement in 2025

13:35-13:45

Synopsis: Local Government is spending billions on buying digital and tech services - but where’s it all going? Join Tussell for a data-driven dive into the market landscape today, revealing:

  • The true size of the Local Gov tech spends
  • Who’s winning the biggest contracts
  • The most used buying routes
  • How your authority can use this insight to cut costs and buy smarter

 

Confirmed speaker:

Lorna Ingwell , Research Manager, Tussell

Panel Discussion: Partnerships and procurement- working better together

13:45-14:25

  • Supplier relationships: moving towards collaborative partnerships
  • Streamlining the procurement journey : making the procurement process more efficient and effective

Confirmed speakers:

Heather Cover-Kus, , Head of Programmes: Central Government, Teck UK

Holly Rae , Assistant Director of Strategy, Transformation and Digital, Stockport Council

Gurdeep Singh Aulakh , Head of Technology Systems and Services, Dudley Council

Marta Pocztowska , Chief Digital Officer, Thurrock Council

 

Chair: Sarah Calkin , editor, Local Government Chronicle


Digital Innovation Stage

Automation and AI: practical examples
13:35-14:25

The case studies will present achievable and transferrable automation solutions within the following areas:

  • Adult services
  • Planning and development
  • Housing
  • Transport

Confirmed speakers/case studies

 

Case study: Transforming Frontline Services: Harnessing Process Modelling and Simulation for Technology-Enabled Innovation

Ade Bamigboye , Chief Technology Officer,  Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

Beau Stanford-Francis , Executive Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

 

Case study: Supporting the Provider Market Team use of RITA in care homes

Diane Moore , Project Coordinator Supporting the Provider Market, Durham

 

Case study: Apprenticeship project

Donna Nolan , Chief Executive, Watford

Chair: Martin George , deputy editor, Local Government Chronicle


Digital Challenge Stage

Interactive round tables working on service design challenges and innovative solutions
13:35-14:25

(Afternoon session)

AI and cybersecurity threats and solutions

Sarah Williams , Head of Customer Experience and Digital, Westminster City Council

Planning Services: Streamlining Applications

Sadie East , Director of Communications, Insight and Innovation Partnerships, Brent LBC

Transforming the resident experience (aging population)

Lizzie Barton, Director for Customer, Resident & Business Services, Lichfield DC

Joan Tharm , Digital Manager, Lichfield DC

 

Chair: Kirsty Weakley , head of content, Local Government Chronicle

14:25-14:45

Case study
14:25-14:45

Chair:

Case study
14:25-14:45

Chair:

Session summary and outcomes
14:25-14:45

Confirmed speakers:

Sarah Williams , Head of Customer Experience and Digital, Westminster City Council

Sadie East , Director of Communications, Insight and Innovation Partnerships, Brent LBC

Lizzie Barton, Director for Customer, Resident & Business Services, Lichfield DC

 

Chair: Kirsty Weakley , head of content, Local Government Chronicle

14:45-15:15

Networking break

15:15-15:55

Panel discussion: Establishing sector-wide coordination and knowledge sharing

  • Creating a unified body for strategic alignment: should there be a dedicated organisation to guide digital transformation efforts across councils, ensuring that even resource-strapped councils can benefit from innovations, and avoid duplicating efforts?
  • Collaborating to maximise the use of resources
  • Supporting the workforce

Confirmed speakers:

Eddie Copeland , Director, LOTI
Greg Campbell , Director Policy & Transformation, Brentwood BC & Rochford DC
Pam Smith , Chief Executive, Newcastle City Council
Graham Farrant , Chief Executive, BCP Council

Chair: Sarah Calkin , editor, Local Government Chronicle

15:55-16:25

Closing keynote: Learning from other sectors: banking, healthcare (NHS), education, private tech and open-source communities for scalable solutions.

Chair: Sarah Calkin , editor, Local Government Chronicle

16:25-16:30

Chair’s Closing Remarks

Chair: Sarah Calkin , editor, Local Government Chronicle