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

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

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

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

Digital Innovation Stage

Case Study - 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

Digital Challenge Stage

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

(Morning session)

12:15 - 12:35

Case study
12:15 – 12:35

Session summary and outcomes
12:15 – 12:35

12:35 - 13:35

Lunch and networking break

13:35 - 14:15

Digital Leadership Stage

Partnerships and procurement- working better together

13:35 - 14:15

Supplier relationships: moving towards collaborative partnerships.

Streamlining the procurement journey: making the procurement process more efficient and effective.

Confirmed speakers:
Alison Young , Associate Director Local Public Services, Tech UK
Holly Rae , Assistant Director of Strategy, Transformation and Digital, Stockport Council

Digital Innovation Stage

Automation and AI: practical examples
13:35 - 14:15

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

Adult services
Planning and development
Housing
Transport

Confirmed speakers:
Beau Stanford-Francis , Executive Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, Kensington and Chelsea RBC
Ade Bamigboye , Chief Technology Officer, Kensington & Chelsea RBC
Transforming Frontline Services: Harnessing Process Modelling and Simulation for Technology-Enabled Innovation

Digital Challenge Stage

Interactive round tables working on service design challenges and innovative solutions
13:35 - 14:15

(Afternoon session)

14:20 - 14:40

Case study
14:20-14:40

Session summary and outcomes
14:20-14:40

14:40 - 15:00

Networking break

15:00 - 15:40

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

15:40 - 16:10

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

16:10- 16:15

Chair’s Closing Remarks