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

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

09:50

Opening 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

      Together stage

      10:20

      Panel Discussion: Beyond Transformation: Starting from Zero

      Breaking free: Using reform 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

      11:00

      Morning refreshments and networking break

      11:30 - 12:15

      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

      12:15 - 12:35

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

      Hessy Elliott , Principal Partnerships Lead, Beam

      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

      12:35

      Lunch and networking break

      13:35 - 14:15

      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

      14:15 - 14:35

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

      Ellie Lowes , Business Development Officer, 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

      14:35

      Networking break

      15:00

      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

      15:40

      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

      16:10

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

      Together stage