LATIF Online May 2026

Dan Bates is a finance specialist at LG Improve. He leads LG Improve’s Financial Resilience function, enabling councils to adapt to a leaner, more outcomes focused way of working.   Working with all types of authorities on financing and funding to modernise financial management, outcomes-based budgeting and well-being and social value. 

Leigh is the Chief Executive of West Sussex County Council, a role he has held since June 2024. Prior to joining West Sussex, Leigh spent just under six years at Surrey County Council, for the majority of which he was Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Resources (s151 Officer). Leigh has also previously held s151 roles at the London Borough of Bexley, and the Royal Borough of Kingston (RBK), where he also acted as joint Chief Executive for a period of six months. Leigh started his career at the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham as a graduate trainee accountant, and has also worked for the London Borough of Hillingdon.

Leigh is a former member of the CIPFA institute council, and a former school governor. He also previously acted as a Director of Achieving for Children, a company then wholly owned by RBK and the London Borough of Richmond. Leigh was named the Public Finance Awards ‘Public Finance Leader of the Year’ in 2020

Joseph is the Chief Executive of West Berkshire Council and has previously been s151 officer at a number of different Councils. The Council has a range of exciting projects, is focused on financial sustainability and have been recent award winners for launching the UK’s first Community Municipal Investment and for digital transformation. The Council is proactively engaging in Local Government Reorganisation and the devolution agenda.