
President's Conference 2025
We are looking forward to seeing you.
Date & time
- 10 June 2025 08:45 - 16:30
- 10 June 2025 18:45 - 00:00
- 11 June 2025 08:15 - 14:30
Location
Primary partners: Netcall (opens in new tab), TechnologyOne (opens in new tab)
Agenda
- 08:45 Registration
A warm welcome will greet you at the Socitm registration desk where you can sign in and receive your delegate pass. You’re then free to start networking as well as helping yourself to refreshments – including breakfast pastries.
- 09:30 Socitm President's Opening Remarks
Socitm President Carol Williams will make us all welcome, run through the practical housekeeping, set the scene, share her thoughts and reflect upon her last 12 months in leading the organisation. Carol will then kick the conference off by introducing our first keynote speaker.
Carol Williams, Director of transformation and digital, Walsall Council
- 09:35 Breaking Boundaries: Transforming Communities through Innovation and Collaboration
Overcome barriers stopping progress in your organisation. Hear a fascinating perspective from Norfolk County Council CEO Tom McCabe. He’ll give you key insights you can use to tackle siloed systems, budget challenges, or culture. Tom will show how collaboration and innovation makes a real-world impact.
Tom McCabe, CEO, Norfolk County Council
- 09:55 Digital Trends - Reimagining services
Socitm’s Digital Trends research is a highlight of the year. We will bring 2025’s report to life through pratical ways this can help you. From emerging technologies to evolving digital cultures and data-driven decision-making, the report provides a roadmap with use cases for leaders navigating their digital journey. Walk away with the tools to drive better outcomes for people, communities, and places.
Martin Ferguson, Director of Policy & Research, Socitm
Yasmine Hajji, Research Analyst, Socitm
Diana Rebaza, Research Analyst, Socitm - 10:20 Accelerating Digital Excellence - How councils are revolutionising service delivery through AI and automation
As councils navigate increasing service demands with constrained resources, traditional digital transformation approaches no longer deliver the required results. Join us to discover how local authorities are achieving remarkable improvements in efficiency and citizen satisfaction through an integrated strategy of low-code development, intelligent automation and harnessing the power of AI. Discover how sustainable digital transformation delivers both immediate impact and long-term organisational resilience.
Mark Gannon, Director of Client Solutions, Netcall
Paul Doney, Service Manager Digital Solutions, Newcastle City Council - 10:40 Networking Break
It’s time to gather our thoughts from the morning sessions over refreshments and snacks. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow colleagues both from the public and private sector.
Curious about cyber security, data or printing? Get away from some of the bustle and focus in on things you need to know more about in breakout rooms. - 11:10 Partners in progress - panel discussion
We can’t reaimagine service delivery on our own. We’re better together. Listen to how collaboration, data-driven insights, and people-first innovation can transform places with help from the private sector. This interactive panel will share real-world examples of partnership-driven success, highlighting how we can achieve more together.
- 11:50 MHCLG session
Join this session and get closer to the direction from central government. Whether it’s measurement and evaluation, the future of procurement, cyber or AI, there is a lot to consider. Does the national vision support your place based ambition? Where’s the overlap? Wherever and however we work out the detail, a collaborative and informed approach is critical.
Emily Sullivan, Head of Product (Local Digital), MHCLG
- 12:10 Citizen Engagement
The University of Derby Civic team will demonstrate the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change. Hear about its CivicLAB which is a unique commitment to a place-based approach to improving outcomes for all. Innovative research, fresh insights, and a focus on delivering real public value, this initiative is making a positive difference in the community. You can do the same with the right relationships.
Dr Rhiannon Jones, Associate Professor (Civic Practice), Head of Civic and Communities, University of DerbyProfessor Ian Whitehead, Head of Pedagogic, University of Derby
Callum Bate, Civic Operations Officer, University of Derby - 12:45 Networking lunch & AGM
Lead members are very welcome to join our Annual General Meeting (AGM). For all other delegates and partners you’re welcome to enjoy some catch-up time over lunch.
- 12:45 Annual General Meeting
Our current president, Carol Williams, will lead us through what Socitm has done with and for members over the last year. Then she’ll hand over to incoming president Kurt Frary.
Carol Williams, Director of transformation and digital, Walsall Council
Kurt Frary, Head of IT, CTO, Norfolk County Council
Nadira Hussain, CEO, Socitm
David Bryant, Finance and commercial director, Socitm - 13:15 Networking lunch
We know how important these sections of a conference are. It’s time to make new connections, say hello to colleagues across the sector you’ve not seen for some time and reflect on the morning’s programme over lunch. Keep the conversation going and enjoy further food for thought.
Curious about cyber security, data or printing? Get away from some of the bustle and focus in on things you need to know more about in breakout rooms. - 13:45 Insights from the devolved nations
Learn from local authority organisations across the devolved nations as they share key developments, challenges, and innovations shaping public services beyond England. This discussion will provide valuable perspectives on policy approaches, regional priorities, and collaborative opportunities. Gain a broader understanding of how different governance models impact service delivery and community outcomes.
Dave Sanderson, Director of Member Services, Socitm (Chair)
Martyn Wallace, Chief Digital Officer, Digital Office Scottish Local Government (COSLA)
Alison Allen, Chief Executive, NILGA
Lindsey Phillips, Chief Digital Officer, WLGA
Eve Roodhouse, Director of Strategy & Policy, LGA - 14:30 Turning challenges into actions
Building on the insights from day one, this interactive roundtable session will help you translate key challenges into actionable strategies. Through guided discussion, participants will identify practical steps to drive progress. This is a chance to collaborate, share ideas, and leave with a clear plan tailored to your organisation’s needs.
- 15:10 Networking break
Another chance to network and compare notes from the afternoon sessions over refreshments and snacks.
Curious about cyber security, data or printing? Get away from some of the bustle and focus in on things you need to know more about in breakout rooms. - 15:35 Future leaders in action
Our Top Talent programme gives people the chance to develop their skills and grow as future leaders. Witness participants showcase their journey, presenting insights from the challenge they’ve been tackling. Always an uplifting highlight of the conference, this is a chance to hear fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and the next generation’s approach to solving key sector challenges.
Top Talent Cohort
- 16:05 Beyond Borders: Harnessing Data to Transform Places and Unite People
Join Impera and visionary councils on stage for a dynamic session exploring how data is transforming public services and driving social progress. Through live conversations with social impact funders and local authorities, we’ll dive into real-world examples of how data insights are shaping strategy, improving decision-making, and delivering better outcomes for communities. Discover their journeys, challenges, and the bold, innovative approaches being used to create lasting impact across places and people.
Pye Nyunt, CEO, Impera Analytics
- 16:30 Closing remarks
On behalf of us all Carol will reflect on a significant conference for Socitm and bring proceedings to a close.
Carol Williams, Director of transformation and digital, Walsall Council
- 18:45 Drinks reception
After an inspiring and thought-provoking day, it’s time to absorb all that information and unwind at our President’s Conference drinks reception
Whether you choose to carry on existing conversations or start fresh ones with new contacts, this is an opportunity to reflect and relax in a welcoming and friendly environment where catching up and connecting is key.
- 19:15 Gala Dinner: Celebrating Success
Our President’s dinner isn’t just about good food and great company. It’s also the time where we acknowledge and celebrate the hard-work, vision, delivery, best practice and personal achievements of digital leaders in the public sector.
In these most challenging times , peer appreciation and support are more important than ever. The President’s dinner is an opportunity to demonstrate how much our community, as a whole, values, recognises and appreciates the triumphs of individual members. This is why our President, President’s team and our partners have such pleasure in welcoming you to the evening.
Speakers
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Carol Williams Director of Transformation & Digital (SIRO), Walsall Council
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Kurt Frary Head of IT and CTO, Norfolk County Council
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Martin Ferguson Policy & Research Director, Socitm
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Diana Rebaza Senior Research Analyst, Socitm
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Yasmine Hajji Research Analyst, Socitm
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Nadira Hussain CEO, Socitm
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David Bryant Finance & Commercial Director, Socitm
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Mike Manson Chief Executive, Association of Local Government Information Management
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Andy Brammall Director of Digital & Physical Infrastructure and Customer Engagement, Derby City Council
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Tom McCabe CEO, Norfolk County Council
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Paul Simpson Chief Executive, Derby City Council
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Rhiannon Jones Head of Civic, Associate Professor Civic Practice, University of Derby
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Ian Whitehead Head of Pedagogic, University of Derby
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Callum Bate Civic Operations Officer, University of Derby
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Mark Gannon Director of Client Solutions, Netcall
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Martyn Wallace Chief Digital Officer, The Digital Office
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Pye Nyunt CEO, Impera Analytics
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Emma Bennett Chief Executive, Walsall Council
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Simon Fletcher Chief Executive, Lichfield District Council
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Alison Allen Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Local Government Association
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Lindsey Phillips Chief Executive, Welsh Local Government Association
Partners
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Netcall (opens in new tab)
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TechnologyOne (opens in new tab)
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8×8 (opens in new tab)
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AvePoint (opens in new tab)
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AWS (Amazon Web Services) (opens in new tab)
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BullWall (opens in new tab)
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Canon (opens in new tab)
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Cloud Gateway (opens in new tab)
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Crayon (opens in new tab)
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Crown Commercial Service (CSS) (opens in new tab)
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Freshworks (opens in new tab)
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GOSS (opens in new tab)
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HSO (opens in new tab)
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ICS.AI (opens in new tab)
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Kerv (opens in new tab)
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MHR Global (opens in new tab)
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Microsoft (opens in new tab)
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NDL (opens in new tab)
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OneAdvanced (opens in new tab)
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Protocol Policy Systems (opens in new tab)
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Rubrik (opens in new tab)
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Sentinel Partners (opens in new tab)
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Simpson Associates (opens in new tab)
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Socura (opens in new tab)
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Tanium (opens in new tab)
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Veeam (opens in new tab)
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WithSecure (opens in new tab)
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Worldpay (opens in new tab)