Room 151’s 5th Local Authority Treasurers Investment Forum North 2023

Tim Seagrave is group finance lead for capital & treasury management at Manchester City Council. An economics graduate, Tim began his local authority finance career at Newcastle City Council, and moved back to his birthplace to join Manchester City Council in 2009. He has experience in directorate finance as well as corporate, including working on the city council’s response to local authority funding settlements and leading on the early stages of business rates reform for the city. Tim moved onto treasury management in 2010, and during his time with the treasury team he has managed the Council’s debt and investment portfolios and overseen the HRA debt settlement, including repayment of LOBOs. Since 2014 Tim has also led the team responsible for the financial management of the Council’s capital programme, from project inception through to accounting for schemes, and has led on the development of a new capital approval process. A CIPFA member, Tim attends CIPFA’s Better Governance Forum.

Charlotte is responsible for managing equity portfolios.

Charlotte spent the first 15 years of her career at Newton Investment Management where she was a multi-asset and subsequently a global equities manager for UK and international pension funds. She joined CCLA in 2016 from EFG, where she was a senior portfolio manager.

Charlotte read modern history at the University of St Andrews, holds an MA in history from College of William & Mary, Virginia, and an MBA from Cranfield. She holds the Investment Management Certificate and the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Charlotte is responsible for managing equity portfolios.

Charlotte spent the first 15 years of her career at Newton Investment Management where she was a multi-asset and subsequently a global equities manager for UK and international pension funds. She joined CCLA in 2016 from EFG, where she was a senior portfolio manager.

Charlotte read modern history at the University of St Andrews, holds an MA in history from College of William & Mary, Virginia, and an MBA from Cranfield. She holds the Investment Management Certificate and the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Dennis Gepp was a founding partner and the Chief Investment Officer at Prime Rate Capital Management LLP, from 2007 until the company was acquired in early 2012 by Federated Hermes, Inc.  Since then, he has been Managing Director of Federated Hermes (UK) LLP, and CIO of the cash business until December 2022.  Since January 2023 he has concentrated on regulatory matters as Head of European Regulatory Affairs.

Dennis was Treasurer of Brown Shipley & Co Ltd, private bankers, responsible for the management of the bank’s liquidity and asset and liability management from 1992 until 2007. During the previous 19 years, he held senior positions in the Treasury Departments of CIBC (Europe), Middle East Bank, Baring Brothers, Iran Overseas Investment Bank and Bank of America International. He has been Honorary Treasurer of ACI UK – the Financial Markets Association, the world’s largest association of financial markets practitioners, a member of the Board of the Institutional Money Market Fund Association (IMMFA) and chair of IMMFA’s Investment Committee.  He is currently a member of the STEP (Short Term European Paper) Committee, EFAMA’s Trade, Trade Reporting and Market Infrastructure Standing Committee and MMF Working Group, Irish Fund’s MMF working Group and Fitch’s European Short-Term Investor Advisory Council.

Andrew Brown is Professor of Economics and Political Economy at Leeds University Business School. He is Academic Director of the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network (Y-PERN, funded by Research England) and co-Chair (with Sarah Chaytor and Chris Hewson) of the Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN). He has led interdisciplinary economics research in a wide range of funded projects, working closely with public and private sector stakeholders, for example, with HM Treasury on Green Book valuation of infrastructure and of nature. His has published on circular economy; sustainable and resilient infrastructure and industry; value and wellbeing; financialisation; and the methodology and philosophy of interdisciplinary science.

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. 

Lee Walsh is the Finance Manager for Capital and Treasury Management at Oldham Council. Following graduation, Lee began his Local Authority finance career at Hyndburn Borough Council before moving to Preston City Council and onto Oldham Council in 2017.  Lee is CIPFA qualified and has worked in Treasury and Capital for 14 years. At Oldham Council he manages the investments, debt portfolios and Treasury function and is responsible for the Council’s Capital Programme. Lee has years of experience in financial management and is the lead officer on the Council’s final accounts process, completion of the Statement of Accounts and is a member of the Greater Manchester Chief Accountants Group. During his time within Capital & Treasury he has been involved in a diverse range of activities including a Housing Stock transfer and the HRA debt settlement, repayment of loans, and the establishment of a Leisure Trust.

Mark joined West Midlands Combined Authority as Lead Treasury Accountant in 2020 and is responsible for all aspects of the Authority’s treasury management activities including an investment portfolio in excess of £400m. He has over 25 years Local Authority finance experience and, in addition to treasury work, has a background in capital accounting and the Housing Revenue Account. Mark is a member of CIPFA’s TIS Online Treasury Management Editorial Board, reviewing and writing articles for the website and has contributed blogs to Room 151. He has also participated in panel discussions at several treasury and housing finance events.

David Green is a director of Arlingclose, the local authority treasury advisers. He is a fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and a CIPFA qualified accountant.

David is the strategic lead on Arlingclose’s approach to investment strategy and credit risk management, ensuring clients earn a suitable risk-adjusted investment income while remaining within their risk appetite. He is also a key member of Arlingclose’s technical team, maintaining relationships with CIPFA and DLUHC. He writes and delivers the annual workshops on investment strategy and accounts closedown.

Previously, David worked in the private sector for five years as a treasury manager where he managed the cash flows and banking activities of a large leisure business. He then joined the West Sussex County Council corporate finance team as Treasury Manager and then Principal Accountant. David joined Sterling Consultancy Services in 2008 and in 2011 was promoted to Head of Consultancy before moving to Arlingclose the following year. He joined the board of Arlingclose in May 2021.

David is a regular speaker at external conferences and blogs on treasury management issues on www.room151.co.uk.

Lindsey Keech is the Head of Finance for capital and treasury management at Greater Manchester Combined Authority.  Lindsey began her local authority finance career at Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority in 2006 before transferring to Greater Manchester Combined Authority in 2018 with the reorganisation of waste disposal functions within Greater Manchester.

At GMCA she manages the investments, debt portfolios and treasury function and is responsible for the capital programme.  She is also responsible for the business partnering of the transport, waste disposal, place, environment, digital and core investment teams and coordinates various elements of the final accounts process.

Lee joined CCLA in 2022 after 28 years’ experience within the financial services industry, with the last 11 years being spent in the Charity & Local Authority sectors and the wider Social Economy, providing debt finance to support organisations to buy or build residential & commercial property to meet social demands, creating impact within communities & nationally. Lee is responsible for managing relationships with CCLA clients.

Over the last 23 years, Lee has held a number of senior management roles both regionally & nationally and has a widespread knowledge of the Commercial/Corporate/Local Government sectors and the social economy.

Lee is the former President of a Chamber & Trade & Commerce, one which became one of only a handful in the country to convert to CIC status.

Outside of work Lee is a trustee & volunteers at various charities.

Kelly is responsible for managing relationships with our clients.

Kelly joined CCLA in 2019 after 16 years finance and accountancy experience attained in both public and private sector. Kelly is a chartered accountant by background and her role prior to joining CCLA was Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) of a District Council in Local Government. Kelly has held a number of senior roles within local government and private sector and has a wide range of experience, managing finance, procurement and property amongst other services.

Kelly is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and is currently a member of the National CIPFA Council as well as involved with volunteer roles in her home base of the Midlands.

Emma is Director of Corporate Services and Section 151 Officer at West Lindsey District Council where she is responsible for Finance, Property, Governance and HR  as well as supporting a significant regeneration and Levelling Up Agenda.

Emma has been a S.151 Officer at three different District Councils and is an LGA Finance Peer and sits on the Society of District Council Treasurers.

Tracy is the Strategic Director and Section 151 Officer for Oadby and Wigston Borough Council. She has worked in local government for 15 years across a number of housing and corporate finance roles. 

Tracy is passionate about financial sustainability and the enabling role finance has in delivering positive community and place outcomes.  She volunteers with District Council Network supporting on a range of financial policy matters concerning district councils in England and regularly contributes as a regular feature writer and “Money Matters” columnist for the Municipal Journal (“The MJ”).

Richard is the Deputy Section 151 Officer at Leeds City Council. Richard joined Leeds City Council in 1991 after previously working at Somerset County Council where he qualified as an accountant with CIPFA.

During his time at Leeds City Council he has worked in a number of different roles which means he has experienced most aspects of providing a finance function in a large Local Authority . He has been Deputy Section 151 Officer at Leeds since 2020.

Richard keeps active through playing 5 a side football and golf. He has also a  season ticket holder at Leeds United.

Danny is Head of Corporate Finance at Warrington Borough Council responsible for all aspects of the Council’s corporate finance function and climate change.

Danny is an expert in treasury management, capital accounting, programme management, transformation, regeneration, governance, climate change and the commercialisation agenda.

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. 

Mark joined West Midlands Combined Authority as Lead Treasury Accountant in 2020 and is responsible for all aspects of the Authority’s treasury management activities including an investment portfolio in excess of £400m. He has over 25 years Local Authority finance experience and, in addition to treasury work, has a background in capital accounting and the Housing Revenue Account. Mark is a member of CIPFA’s TIS Online Treasury Management Editorial Board, reviewing and writing articles for the website and has contributed blogs to Room 151. He has also participated in panel discussions at several treasury and housing finance events.

David Green is a director of Arlingclose, the local authority treasury advisers. He is a fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and a CIPFA qualified accountant.

David is the strategic lead on Arlingclose’s approach to investment strategy and credit risk management, ensuring clients earn a suitable risk-adjusted investment income while remaining within their risk appetite. He is also a key member of Arlingclose’s technical team, maintaining relationships with CIPFA and DLUHC. He writes and delivers the annual workshops on investment strategy and accounts closedown.

Previously, David worked in the private sector for five years as a treasury manager where he managed the cash flows and banking activities of a large leisure business. He then joined the West Sussex County Council corporate finance team as Treasury Manager and then Principal Accountant. David joined Sterling Consultancy Services in 2008 and in 2011 was promoted to Head of Consultancy before moving to Arlingclose the following year. He joined the board of Arlingclose in May 2021.

David is a regular speaker at external conferences and blogs on treasury management issues on www.room151.co.uk.

Lee joined CCLA in 2022 after 28 years’ experience within the financial services industry, with the last 11 years being spent in the Charity & Local Authority sectors and the wider Social Economy, providing debt finance to support organisations to buy or build residential & commercial property to meet social demands, creating impact within communities & nationally. Lee is responsible for managing relationships with CCLA clients.

Over the last 23 years, Lee has held a number of senior management roles both regionally & nationally and has a widespread knowledge of the Commercial/Corporate/Local Government sectors and the social economy.

Lee is the former President of a Chamber & Trade & Commerce, one which became one of only a handful in the country to convert to CIC status.

Outside of work Lee is a trustee & volunteers at various charities.

Lindsey Keech is the Head of Finance for capital and treasury management at Greater Manchester Combined Authority.  Lindsey began her local authority finance career at Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority in 2006 before transferring to Greater Manchester Combined Authority in 2018 with the reorganisation of waste disposal functions within Greater Manchester.

At GMCA she manages the investments, debt portfolios and treasury function and is responsible for the capital programme.  She is also responsible for the business partnering of the transport, waste disposal, place, environment, digital and core investment teams and coordinates various elements of the final accounts process.

Lee Walsh is the Finance Manager for Capital and Treasury Management at Oldham Council. Following graduation, Lee began his Local Authority finance career at Hyndburn Borough Council before moving to Preston City Council and onto Oldham Council in 2017.  Lee is CIPFA qualified and has worked in Treasury and Capital for 14 years. At Oldham Council he manages the investments, debt portfolios and Treasury function and is responsible for the Council’s Capital Programme. Lee has years of experience in financial management and is the lead officer on the Council’s final accounts process, completion of the Statement of Accounts and is a member of the Greater Manchester Chief Accountants Group. During his time within Capital & Treasury he has been involved in a diverse range of activities including a Housing Stock transfer and the HRA debt settlement, repayment of loans, and the establishment of a Leisure Trust.

Kelly is responsible for managing relationships with our clients.

Kelly joined CCLA in 2019 after 16 years finance and accountancy experience attained in both public and private sector. Kelly is a chartered accountant by background and her role prior to joining CCLA was Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) of a District Council in Local Government. Kelly has held a number of senior roles within local government and private sector and has a wide range of experience, managing finance, procurement and property amongst other services.

Kelly is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and is currently a member of the National CIPFA Council as well as involved with volunteer roles in her home base of the Midlands.

Bevis Ingram is senior adviser (finance) with the Local Government Association (LGA), working on all aspects of policy related to local government finance, including leading on work on capital and investments. He started working in local government finance more than 35 years ago and since then has worked for a number of councils as well as the LGA. He was a member of CIPFA’s Treasury Management Panel for several years and is now a member of its successor body the CIPFA Governance and Assurance Forum.

David Green is a director of Arlingclose, the local authority treasury advisers. He is a fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and a CIPFA qualified accountant.

David is the strategic lead on Arlingclose’s approach to investment strategy and credit risk management, ensuring clients earn a suitable risk-adjusted investment income while remaining within their risk appetite. He is also a key member of Arlingclose’s technical team, maintaining relationships with CIPFA and DLUHC. He writes and delivers the annual workshops on investment strategy and accounts closedown.

Previously, David worked in the private sector for five years as a treasury manager where he managed the cash flows and banking activities of a large leisure business. He then joined the West Sussex County Council corporate finance team as Treasury Manager and then Principal Accountant. David joined Sterling Consultancy Services in 2008 and in 2011 was promoted to Head of Consultancy before moving to Arlingclose the following year. He joined the board of Arlingclose in May 2021.

David is a regular speaker at external conferences and blogs on treasury management issues on www.room151.co.uk.

Mark joined West Midlands Combined Authority as Lead Treasury Accountant in 2020 and is responsible for all aspects of the Authority’s treasury management activities including an investment portfolio in excess of £400m. He has over 25 years Local Authority finance experience and, in addition to treasury work, has a background in capital accounting and the Housing Revenue Account. Mark is a member of CIPFA’s TIS Online Treasury Management Editorial Board, reviewing and writing articles for the website and has contributed blogs to Room 151. He has also participated in panel discussions at several treasury and housing finance events.

Danny is Head of Corporate Finance at Warrington Borough Council responsible for all aspects of the Council’s corporate finance function and climate change.

Danny is an expert in treasury management, capital accounting, programme management, transformation, regeneration, governance, climate change and the commercialisation agenda.

Innes is Principal Treasury and Banking Manager for the City of Edinburgh Council. Prior to his appointment as Treasury Manager, he was head of the back office for Lothian Pension Fund. He has also been seconded to Lothian Pension Fund as Portfolio Manager responsible for Bonds and other Credit opportunities. From 2007 to 2017, he was Chair of CIPFA’s Scottish Treasury Management Forum, and a member of CIPFA’s Capital and Treasury Management Panel. He has also been a Trustee of a private sector Pension Fund. Innes’ qualifications include an honours degree in IT from St. Andrews University, the PMI qualification in Pension Trusteeship, and the CIPFA / ACT Certificate in International Treasury Management – Public Finance.  He won the LGC Investment Officer of the Year for the UK Award in 2010.

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. 

Mark joined West Midlands Combined Authority as Lead Treasury Accountant in 2020 and is responsible for all aspects of the Authority’s treasury management activities including an investment portfolio in excess of £400m. He has over 25 years Local Authority finance experience and, in addition to treasury work, has a background in capital accounting and the Housing Revenue Account. Mark is a member of CIPFA’s TIS Online Treasury Management Editorial Board, reviewing and writing articles for the website and has contributed blogs to Room 151. He has also participated in panel discussions at several treasury and housing finance events.

David Green is a director of Arlingclose, the local authority treasury advisers. He is a fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and a CIPFA qualified accountant.

David is the strategic lead on Arlingclose’s approach to investment strategy and credit risk management, ensuring clients earn a suitable risk-adjusted investment income while remaining within their risk appetite. He is also a key member of Arlingclose’s technical team, maintaining relationships with CIPFA and DLUHC. He writes and delivers the annual workshops on investment strategy and accounts closedown.

Previously, David worked in the private sector for five years as a treasury manager where he managed the cash flows and banking activities of a large leisure business. He then joined the West Sussex County Council corporate finance team as Treasury Manager and then Principal Accountant. David joined Sterling Consultancy Services in 2008 and in 2011 was promoted to Head of Consultancy before moving to Arlingclose the following year. He joined the board of Arlingclose in May 2021.

David is a regular speaker at external conferences and blogs on treasury management issues on www.room151.co.uk.

Lee joined CCLA in 2022 after 28 years’ experience within the financial services industry, with the last 11 years being spent in the Charity & Local Authority sectors and the wider Social Economy, providing debt finance to support organisations to buy or build residential & commercial property to meet social demands, creating impact within communities & nationally. Lee is responsible for managing relationships with CCLA clients.

Over the last 23 years, Lee has held a number of senior management roles both regionally & nationally and has a widespread knowledge of the Commercial/Corporate/Local Government sectors and the social economy.

Lee is the former President of a Chamber & Trade & Commerce, one which became one of only a handful in the country to convert to CIC status.

Outside of work Lee is a trustee & volunteers at various charities.

Lindsey Keech is the Head of Finance for capital and treasury management at Greater Manchester Combined Authority.  Lindsey began her local authority finance career at Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority in 2006 before transferring to Greater Manchester Combined Authority in 2018 with the reorganisation of waste disposal functions within Greater Manchester.

At GMCA she manages the investments, debt portfolios and treasury function and is responsible for the capital programme.  She is also responsible for the business partnering of the transport, waste disposal, place, environment, digital and core investment teams and coordinates various elements of the final accounts process.

Lee Walsh is the Finance Manager for Capital and Treasury Management at Oldham Council. Following graduation, Lee began his Local Authority finance career at Hyndburn Borough Council before moving to Preston City Council and onto Oldham Council in 2017.  Lee is CIPFA qualified and has worked in Treasury and Capital for 14 years. At Oldham Council he manages the investments, debt portfolios and Treasury function and is responsible for the Council’s Capital Programme. Lee has years of experience in financial management and is the lead officer on the Council’s final accounts process, completion of the Statement of Accounts and is a member of the Greater Manchester Chief Accountants Group. During his time within Capital & Treasury he has been involved in a diverse range of activities including a Housing Stock transfer and the HRA debt settlement, repayment of loans, and the establishment of a Leisure Trust.

Kelly is responsible for managing relationships with our clients.

Kelly joined CCLA in 2019 after 16 years finance and accountancy experience attained in both public and private sector. Kelly is a chartered accountant by background and her role prior to joining CCLA was Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) of a District Council in Local Government. Kelly has held a number of senior roles within local government and private sector and has a wide range of experience, managing finance, procurement and property amongst other services.

Kelly is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and is currently a member of the National CIPFA Council as well as involved with volunteer roles in her home base of the Midlands.

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. 

Councillor Louise Gittins was first elected to Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2011, to serve Little Neston and Burton.  A year later, she became the Shadow Spokesperson for Culture and Leisure, and was subsequently appointed as the Shadow Deputy Leader in 2014.

Following the 2015 election, which saw Labour take control of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Gittins was named Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing – and in May 2019, was elected as Leader of the Council.

In addition to her portfolio responsibilities as Council Leader – including Devolution, Communications, Public Service Reform, Poverty, the local Health Economy and wider External Partnerships – Cllr Gittins continues to be the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing; incorporating Culture, Leisure, Heritage and Green Spaces.  More recently, she has taken up a number of regional and national leadership roles, including as Vice Chair of Transport for the North (TfN); Chair of Growth Track 360; a member of the LGA Communities and Wellbeing Board; and the lead for developing Cheshire and Warrington as a Marmot region.

Andrew is the Chief Executive of the Centre and before that he was the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy and Research.

Andrew has over 20 years of experience working on urban economic policy working for public and private development agencies, consultants and research institutes.  He has also spent time in the US as part of the Churchill Foundation’s Fellowship Programme reviewing urban economic development policy and practice in American cities including New York, Washington DC, Boston and Chicago.

He is a regular media contributor and chairs and speaks at conferences across the UK and Europe on a wide range of urban and economic issues.

Paul is currently the Lead Financial Consultant to the North East LEP and has been providing financial advice to the North East LEP since 2014. He provides support and assurance to the CFO of the NTCA on LEP funding issues.

Well known for his role as City Treasurer and then Director of Resources of Newcastle City Council and Treasurer of the Tyne and Wear ITA until March 2014.  In 2014 he set up a consultancy firm Paul Woods Finance Ltd and was appointed Chief Finance Officer of the North East Combined Authority in May 2014 and continued to provide technical advice on local government funding to the Association of North East Councils until March 2019.   

Paul has a reputation for innovative financing arrangements and for being an expert in the complexities of the Local Government funding system. He has provided advice to the Association of North East Councils; Core Cities; Shanghai Municipal Finance Bureau and was a member of the LGA core advisor group.  He has briefed MPs in Parliament on Local Government Finance and provided evidence to the Public Accounts Committee.