Programme

The programme is currently under development and if you are interested in contributing to it, please contact Jenny Vyas at Jenny.Vyas@emap.com

The event will feature panel sessions covering:

  • Defining what good digital government looks like
  • Beyond LGR and transformation: starting from zero
  • Invest to save: ensuring strategic IT and digital investment for sustainable outcomes
  • Procurement to enable transformation
  • Guardrails for generative AI in government
  • Looking ahead - emerging opportunities & future trends

The programme will also showcase practical case studies focused on:

  • Data foundations & decision-making
  • AI & automation applied to real services

09:15 - 09:45

Registration

09:45 - 09:50

Chair’s Opening Remarks: Martin George, Acting Editor, Local Government Chronicle

09:50 - 10:05

Keynote: How local government fits into the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government

    This is a keynote session will provide an overview of MHCLG’s role in advancing the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government and supporting local government’s ambitions across AI, planning and digital services.

    Tom Smith, Director of AI, MHCLG

    10:05 - 10:20

    Keynote: Closing the digital divide: turning inclusion into impact

    Despite rapid progress in digital transformation across local government and public services, millions of people still face barriers to accessing essential services, employment opportunities and support online. This session will explore how councils and their partners can move beyond isolated initiatives to deliver digital inclusion at scale.

    Vicki Sellick, Chief Executive, Good Things Foundation

    10:20 - 10:30

    Questions to Tom Smith and Vicki Sellick

    10:30 - 11:10

    Panel Discussion: Beyond Transformation: Starting from Zero

    Breaking free: Using reorganisation as an opportunity for fresh thinking

    • LGR & operating models: from platform consolidation to service redesign; managing skills crunch.
    • System-wide collaboration across devolved areas: growing your own model, digital standards
    • Advantages and disadvantages of different platforms

    Martin Reeves, Chief Executive, Oxfordshire CC
    Karen Bradford, Chief Executive, South Kesteven DC
    Jonathan Stephenson, Chief Executive, Brentwood BC and Rochford DC
    Phil Beaumont, Principal Consultant, Oracle


    Together stage

    11:10 - 11:40

    Morning refreshments and networking break

    11:40 - 12:20

    Panel Discussion: Invest to save: ensuring strategic IT & digital investment for sustainable outcomes

    Invest to save: deliver better services at lower cost by targeting digital investment where it drives efficiency and public value

    Simplifying systems: cut legacy systems and duplication to improve integration and service delivery

    Cyber security as resilience: Safeguard critical services, citizens' data and organisational trust against growing threats 

    Strategic partnerships: collaborate with suppliers to accelerate transformation, share risk and maximise impact within constrained budgets

    Brian Woodford , Director of Advisory, CIPFA
    Elika Sinha , P&BC Digital and Services Lead, Tower Hamlets LBC

    Digital leadership Stage

    Case Studies: Data foundations & decision-making

    City Insights 

    Patrick Melia , Chief Executive, Sunderland City Council

    Single view of the child - getting the right data, to the right people, at the right time, in the right way to support safeguarding our most vulnerable children

    Gareth Newell, Director for Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation, Cardiff Council

    Digital innovation Stage

    12:20 - 12:40

    Case study -  Prevention through proactive AI - using Beam Talk to stay ahead of crisis.

    Hessy Elliott , Principal Partnerships Lead, Beam
    Pedro Santos, Digital and Innovation Technical Lead, North Northamptonshire Council 

    Digital leadership Stage

    Case study The Contact Centre Advisor is Dead: Long Live the Contact Centre Advisor.

    Adam East, Exponential-e
    Alex Stint, Five9

    Digital innovation Stage

    12:40 - 13:40

    Lunch and networking break

    13:40 - 14:20

    Panel Discussion: Procurement to enable transformation

    This session unpacks how procurement can be a strategic lever for long-term transformation. What questions to ask, distinguishing substance from sales theatre and demand genuine evidence.

    Making procurement choices that shape future operating models, not just systems. We will learn how buying decisions must support a coherent, long-term digital direction while building strategic partnerships with suppliers who can support transformation and deliver measurable outcomes.

    Luke Newcombe , Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, TechUK

    Emma Toms , Digital Business Partner, Essex CC

    Digital leadership Stage

    Case studies: AI & automation applied to real services

    Empowering People, Enhancing Services – Lancashire's Gen AI Journey

    Amisha Chauhan, Digital Innovation Manager and   Peter Lloyd , Director of Digital, Lancashire CC

    Leading the Gen AI Revolution: Real Impact, Real Lessons

    Lauren Mabb, Digital Development Manager, and Lucy Daly, Digital Development Analyst, Derby City Council

    Digital innovation Stage

    14:20 - 14:40

    Case study -  The blueprint for integrated crisis support: Data, access and community impact

    Ellie Lowes , Business Development Manager, Evouchers


    Digital leadership Stage

    Case study -  AI Where It Matters: Tackling Real Service Pressure with Copilot Rapid Application Development in East Riding of Yorkshire Council

    Kevin Woodcock, ICT Strategy Manager, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Sam Young, Digital Opportunities Director, Capita

    Digital innovation Stage

    14:40 - 15:05

    Networking break

    15:05 - 15:45

    Panel discussion: From Principles to Practice: Delivering safe and responsible AI in Local Government

    How councils can move from policy to practice in deploying AI safely and transparently within legal and ethical constraints, and what risks of legal challenge do they face in doing so?

    Aneeka Muneer, President of LLG and Head of Litigation/Deputy Monitoring Officer, Calderdale MBC

    Annie Radcliffe, Adviser (Digital) - Cyber, Digital & Technology, Local Government Association

    Yasmine Hajji , Senior Research Analyst, Socitm 

    Tiina Stephens , Director of AI Engineering, Capita

    Together stage

    15:45 - 16:15

    Closing keynote: Looking ahead - emerging opportunities & future trends

    This keynote will give delegates a clear view of practical insight into the opportunities, technologies and partnership models that will be needed over the next three years to enable local government to navigate change and deliver the next generation of public services.

    Eddie Copeland, Director, LOTI

    Together stage

    16:15

    Chair’s Closing Remarks:  Kirsty Weakley, Head of Content/News Editor, Local Government Chronicle

    Together stage