Room151’s LATIF 2026

Tony Travers is a professor in the LSE’s Government Department and an assistant dean in the LSE’s School of Public Policy.  Research interests include public finance, urban politics and London government.  He has been an advisor to a number of UK Parliamentary committees. 

He was a Senior Associate of the Kings Fund from 1999 to 2004, and also a member of the Arts Council’s Touring Panel during the late 1990s.  From 1992 to 1997, he was a member of the Audit Commission.   He was a member of the Urban Task Force Working Group on Finance.

He is a research board member of the Centre for Cities and a board member of the New Local Government Network. He is an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy.  He chaired the London Finance Commission (2012-13 and again in 2016-17) and was a member of the City Growth Commission (2013-14).

He chaired an independent commission examining local government finance in Wales and the London Finance Commission (2014 and 2017).  He was co-chair of the King’s Commission on London.    

He has published a number of books on cities and government, including Failure in British Government The Politics of the Poll Tax (with David Butler and Andrew Adonis), Paying for Health, Education and Housing   How does the Centre Pull the Purse Strings (with Howard Glennerster and John Hills) and The Politics of London: Governing the Ungovernable City.  Most recently, he published London’s Boroughs at 50.

Robin has been Chief Executive at Calderdale Council, in West Yorkshire, since June 2017 and Calderdale’s Place Lead for NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board since July 2022. He is responsible for leading both the Council’s and ICB’s workforce, supporting system leadership across the area in support of Calderdale Vision 2034, and overseeing a major regeneration programme across the borough’s market towns. Robin is Chair of West Yorkshire Chief Executive’s, and is currently leading a review of West Yorkshire Employment Support for West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Robin is the current President of Solace (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) after being lead spokesperson for Solace for Economic Prosperity from 2020-24.

Robin was previously Director of Communities and Business Change for Calderdale, leading the redevelopment of the multi-award-winning restoration of the Piece Hall and new Central Library in Halifax. Prior to that, he worked in local government, the Probation Service and the voluntary sector in East London. Robin is a Fellow of the Centre of Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge, is a life Member of the Faculty of Public Health, a Non-Executive Director of the Northern Housing Consortium and a Trustee of Belong.

Susan Halliwell is an experienced senior leader in local government with over 20 years of experience working in the sector and is currently Chief Executive Officer for Bracknell Forest Council. 

As a geographer Susan has shaped her career around the place leadership agenda.  Having worked at both county and unitary councils Susan has a broad and extensive experience of strategic planning for growth, securing large scale investment, complex transformation and enabling collaborative political decision making to unlock growth opportunities.  Since securing the political commitment to establishing the Berkshire Prosperity Board Susan has been the lead Chief Executive for environment and climate change, which has recently extended to being the Thames Valley lead for environment and climate change linked to the emerging Thames Valley strategic authority.  Susan is also the Chief Executive lead on spatial development strategies for the Thames Valley, providing a pivotal role in the future sub-regional investment landscape. 

Amy is the first permanent Chief Executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), leading one of the largest and most ambitious regions in the country. Home to more than two million people and a £65 billion economy, the East Midlands is entering a new era of collaboration and growth – powered by £2 billion in transport investment and a network of Growth Zones driving innovation, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Working alongside Mayor Claire Ward, Amy is building stronger collaboration between the region’s key industries – which include world-leading employers such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Boots – and Government, investors, councils and the voluntary and community sector.  

Bringing a wealth of experience in regional development and delivery, before joining EMCCA, she held senior investment and regeneration roles at Durham County Council, SouthYorkshire Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester and Sandwell Council.

She currently sits as a Commissioner on the Solace Commission on Professional Standards and Ethics,  supporting the UK’s local government leaders on the challenges of modern public service. 

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.

Sidhant is responsible for managing CCLA’s three deposit and money market funds.

Having graduated from King’s College London in 2013 with a BSc in Maths & Computer Science (joint honours), Sidhant worked in the consulting industry focussing on wealth and asset management clients for six years. Sidhant then joined CCLA in 2019 and specialised as a fund manager within Cash and Money Markets team.

Sidhant holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Investment Management Certificate (IMC) qualifications. Outside of work he is a Governor for Foster’s Primary School in Bexleyheath.

Nemashe Sivayogan is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Nemashe is currently working as Head of Treasury and Pensions at the London Borough of Merton. Before Merton, she worked at the LB of Lambeth where she gained her technical knowledge and skills. Nemashe has 18 years of Local Government experience, with significant knowledge in LGPS.

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.

Gary Skedge joined Federated Hermes in September 2007 from HSBC Investments, where he co-managed the AAA-rated Sterling Liquidity and Liquidity Plus funds as well as numerous segregated portfolios. He has 25 years of experience of the banking and investment management sector.

Tim Chapple is the Treasury Manager at Oxfordshire County Council. Since qualifying as an accountant in 2008, he has spent the majority of his career as the principal officer in Treasury Management roles, with brief interludes in Pension Fund Investments and Capital Accounting. Having worked for both Oxfordshire and Warwickshire County Councils, he also has several years’ experience of working in the private sector as the Financial Controller of an Oxford University science spin off venture.

Biyi Adegbola is a seasoned Finance Professional with over two decades of experience in public sector finance, including 18 years in senior roles within Local Authorities.

Throughout his career, Biyi has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting financial stewardship, strategic planning, and service transformation in complex and politically sensitive environments.

In the past six years, Biyi has specialised in Treasury Management, leading investment strategies, debt portfolio oversight, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks. He brings strong experience in financial governance, budget management, and stakeholder engagement, which has supported sustainable service delivery and contributed to improved outcomes for local communities.

David joined Arlingclose 2010 and holds the Association of Corporate Treasurers Diploma in Treasury Management. David is a director of Arlingclose and responsible for client advisory services, he also heads up the debt management team, with an emphasis on the formulation and implementation of funding strategies. Current projects include managing iDealTrade.net, renegotiating long-term loans and developing alternative funding products with a variety of financial institutions. David also regularly delivers training for finance teams and Elected Members, covering debt and investment risk management and the local government finance regulatory framework. David has been providing treasury management consultancy services to public sector clients since 1997. He was Assistant Director at Butlers Treasury Consultancy, a division of ICAP plc, where he managed several client accounts and was a regular speaker at training events and seminars on treasury management issues.

Joshua is Chief Impact Officer at Unity Trust Bank and leads Unity’s work to be the ethical bank of choice for UK organisations.

Josh has over 10 years of experience in impact investing, climate economics, and social cost-benefit analysis.

He specialises in capacity building for organisations in the impact economy and focuses on supporting organisations to achieve their goals while delivering positive impact.

Within Unity, Joshua co-leads Unity’s market engagement for Green Municipal Investments and leads Unity’s strategy to achieve Net Zero by 2045 with a focus on delivering an inclusive transition with customers.

Before joining Unity, he was Head of Impact at Big Issue Invest, leading impact management for both the investment arm and the Big Issue magazine

Patrick manages the treasury management function for Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Bexley. In addition to the treasury function he is responsible for pension fund governance and manages the pension board for each authority.

Biyi Adegbola is a seasoned Finance Professional with over two decades of experience in public sector finance, including 18 years in senior roles within Local Authorities.

Throughout his career, Biyi has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting financial stewardship, strategic planning, and service transformation in complex and politically sensitive environments.

In the past six years, Biyi has specialised in Treasury Management, leading investment strategies, debt portfolio oversight, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks. He brings strong experience in financial governance, budget management, and stakeholder engagement, which has supported sustainable service delivery and contributed to improved outcomes for local communities.

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.

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.

Oliver is Head of Finance for Capital, Treasury and Commercial at the London Borough of Brent. He joined six months ago after previously working in the local audit unit of the Financial Reporting Council, the Institute of Chartered Accounts (ICAEW) and the National Audit Office.

Christine Golding is the Chief Accountant at Essex County Council.  Christine has a spent a significant proportion of her career working in local government corporate finance roles, with a particular focus on technical accounting and treasury management.  As her job title implies, she currently leads on all aspects of Essex County Council’s financial / technical accounting (including production of the Council’s statutory financial accounts and leading engagement with the Council’s external auditor).  However, she also has responsibility for the Council’s treasury management activities and for ensuring compliance with the prudential framework.

Martin is a chartered accountant who specialises in the public finances and in the effective communication of financial information. He is the managing director of Pendan Limited and the author of the ’Simply UK Government Finances’ series of books, the ICAEW chart of the week, and ICAEW Fiscal Insight reports on recent Budgets. Martin is a participant in CIPFA LASAAC Better Reporting Group workstreams on local authority financial reporting reform, is the guest editor of a joint ICAEW/Public Money and Management theme on broadening the use of local government accounts and is a former contributor to Institute for Fiscal Studies Green Budget reports.

Martin is also a director of The Modern Professional Body Limited, where he advises on financial strategy and resilience. His previous roles include senior vice-president finance for AVG Technologies NV, vice-president and controller for National Grid USA, chief accountant for National Grid plc, and director assurance and advisory for Deloitte. Martin is a fellow of ICAEW and a member of the Institute of Directors and the Society of Professional Economists.

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.

Katherine Gray is currently Head of Pensions Investments and Treasury at the London Borough of Sutton and the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames as part of the shared finance service between the two boroughs. Previously, Katherine worked for 17 years at Kent County Council where she gained her technical knowledge and skills. Katherine is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Tony Travers is a professor in the LSE’s Government Department and an assistant dean in the LSE’s School of Public Policy.  Research interests include public finance, urban politics and London government.  He has been an advisor to a number of UK Parliamentary committees. 

He was a Senior Associate of the Kings Fund from 1999 to 2004, and also a member of the Arts Council’s Touring Panel during the late 1990s.  From 1992 to 1997, he was a member of the Audit Commission.   He was a member of the Urban Task Force Working Group on Finance.

He is a research board member of the Centre for Cities and a board member of the New Local Government Network. He is an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy.  He chaired the London Finance Commission (2012-13 and again in 2016-17) and was a member of the City Growth Commission (2013-14).

He chaired an independent commission examining local government finance in Wales and the London Finance Commission (2014 and 2017).  He was co-chair of the King’s Commission on London.    

He has published a number of books on cities and government, including Failure in British Government The Politics of the Poll Tax (with David Butler and Andrew Adonis), Paying for Health, Education and Housing   How does the Centre Pull the Purse Strings (with Howard Glennerster and John Hills) and The Politics of London: Governing the Ungovernable City.  Most recently, he published London’s Boroughs at 50.

Robin has been Chief Executive at Calderdale Council, in West Yorkshire, since June 2017 and Calderdale’s Place Lead for NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board since July 2022. He is responsible for leading both the Council’s and ICB’s workforce, supporting system leadership across the area in support of Calderdale Vision 2034, and overseeing a major regeneration programme across the borough’s market towns. Robin is Chair of West Yorkshire Chief Executive’s, and is currently leading a review of West Yorkshire Employment Support for West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Robin is the current President of Solace (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) after being lead spokesperson for Solace for Economic Prosperity from 2020-24.

Robin was previously Director of Communities and Business Change for Calderdale, leading the redevelopment of the multi-award-winning restoration of the Piece Hall and new Central Library in Halifax. Prior to that, he worked in local government, the Probation Service and the voluntary sector in East London. Robin is a Fellow of the Centre of Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge, is a life Member of the Faculty of Public Health, a Non-Executive Director of the Northern Housing Consortium and a Trustee of Belong.

Susan Halliwell is an experienced senior leader in local government with over 20 years of experience working in the sector and is currently Chief Executive Officer for Bracknell Forest Council. 

As a geographer Susan has shaped her career around the place leadership agenda.  Having worked at both county and unitary councils Susan has a broad and extensive experience of strategic planning for growth, securing large scale investment, complex transformation and enabling collaborative political decision making to unlock growth opportunities.  Since securing the political commitment to establishing the Berkshire Prosperity Board Susan has been the lead Chief Executive for environment and climate change, which has recently extended to being the Thames Valley lead for environment and climate change linked to the emerging Thames Valley strategic authority.  Susan is also the Chief Executive lead on spatial development strategies for the Thames Valley, providing a pivotal role in the future sub-regional investment landscape. 

Amy is the first permanent Chief Executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), leading one of the largest and most ambitious regions in the country. Home to more than two million people and a £65 billion economy, the East Midlands is entering a new era of collaboration and growth – powered by £2 billion in transport investment and a network of Growth Zones driving innovation, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Working alongside Mayor Claire Ward, Amy is building stronger collaboration between the region’s key industries – which include world-leading employers such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Boots – and Government, investors, councils and the voluntary and community sector.  

Bringing a wealth of experience in regional development and delivery, before joining EMCCA, she held senior investment and regeneration roles at Durham County Council, SouthYorkshire Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester and Sandwell Council.

She currently sits as a Commissioner on the Solace Commission on Professional Standards and Ethics,  supporting the UK’s local government leaders on the challenges of modern public service. 

Anisa Darr is the Executive Director of Strategy and Resources and S151 officer at London Borough of Barnet. Her remit includes finance, HR, strategy and community participation. Following the insourcing of Finance in 2019, the team then subsequently won the Public Finance team of the year in 2021. Anisa has also worked at the Metropolitan Police and Grant Thornton.

David Stanley is the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer at Cotswold District Council and has worked in Local Government Finance for over 25 years across both county and district councils [Hertfordshire County Council 1998-2010, Stroud District Council 2010-2018, Rushmoor Borough Council 2019-2022, Cotswold District Council 2022-present].  David has lived and worked in Gloucestershire since 2010 working closely/collaboratively with S151/CFO colleagues including leading on the due diligence to support CFOs in establishing the Gloucestershire Business Rates Pool in 2013. David has undertaken/performed the Section 151 Officer duties since 2017.  David is a CIPFA qualified accountant and President of the Society of District Council Treasurers (SDCT) and has been on the Executive of SDCT since 2018.  David is currently also the Finance Programme Lead for LGR in Gloucestershire.

Peter is the Director of Finance at the London Borough of Bromley.

He takes an active interest on social care and health matters and is the Honorary Secretary of the Society of London Treasurers

Peter’s authority was a Public Finance Awards Winner in 2021 for ‘Excellence in Asset Management’ which mainly reflects the Council’s outstanding treasury management and pension fund performance.

With a career in Local Government spanning over 25 years, and working for a number of different Local Authorities across from London Boroughs, Districts and also Unitary Councils,  Adele has a passion for the positive impact that finance and resource teams can have on our communities and our local areas and is always keen to encourage others to think about a career in Local Government whatever stage of their career they are at or their current sector experience.  She is a Fellow of CIPFA, and is currently the Interim Director of Finance and Operations (S151) at Cheltenham Borough Council.   Thanks to her interest and strengths around cultural and service change, especially assisting organisations on their improvement journeys and true transformation by ensuring finance is at the heart of organisations decision-making and through strong governance ethos, she currently enjoys working as an interim and takes it as an opportunity to learn from different organisations and take best practice from each and every place she goes.

Adele also likes to describe herself as an accidental runner who now gets as many questions about “which marathon is next” (Sierra Leone in October!) as she does about finance but she is also an extremely passionate volunteer in Girl Guiding which predates her Local Government career.  She believes she developed many of her leadership skills and ability to deal with wide-ranging and varied questions and queries through her weekly meetings with young people, which can often mirror working in Local Government! 

Oliver is Head of Finance for Capital, Treasury and Commercial at the London Borough of Brent. He joined six months ago after previously working in the local audit unit of the Financial Reporting Council, the Institute of Chartered Accounts (ICAEW) and the National Audit Office.

Richard spent his main career in Local Government, working in 8 Local Authorities in London and the South East. Richard became Chief Executive and Director of Finance at the London Borough of Richmond in 1988 and became Managing Director of London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in 1999. He left there in 2002 to commence his own consultancy business.

Richard was on the Council of Cipfa (16 years) and remains on the Council of IRRV (30 years).

He lectures and writes widely on Local Government issues, mainly on Management and Finance.

Since commencing his own business he has been Interim Director of Finance and Chief Executive for a number of authorities of all sizes and the National Union of Students. He has worked for 5 Government Departments and carried out a range of Investigations and Inquiries.

He was recently Executive Director Finance and Resources for a Children’s Services and Education Company .

Richard is a past president of the Society of London Treasurers, Society of Metropolitan Treasurers and Institute of Rating Revenues and Valuation. He made a return for a second term  as President of IRRV  in 2014.

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. 

Emma Foy is the Industry Lead for Local Government at TechnologyOne, where she champions digital transformation across councils and public sector organisations. She brings deep expertise in modernising services and helping local authorities unlock the power of connected, cloud‑based technology. With a background of over ten years of being Section 151 in various local authorities, she now works closely with leaders to streamline operations and drive meaningful community outcomes. Emma is known for her collaborative approach, her commitment to innovation, and her passion for helping local government build more resilient, efficient, and future‑ready services. 

Conrad Hall has over twenty years’ senior financial management experience in London local authorities, more than ten of which have been in chief finance officer roles.

He trained with the Audit Commission, qualified as a CIPFA accountant in 1998 and is a former winner of the Accountancy Age UK Accountant of the Year award for his work in transforming Lambeth Council.  He is currently the Corporate Director of Resources for Croydon Council, having previously held similar roles at Newham and Brent Councils.  He chairs the CIPFA/LASAAC board, which sets the financial reporting and accounting standards for UK local government

Paul Simpson is currently Interim Executive Director of Corporate Resources (and S151 Officer) at East Riding Council, having taken up the role in May 2026. He brings over 30 years’ experience in public sector leadership, finance, governance and transformation across local government, health and central government. As Chief Executive of Derby City Council, he led major regeneration, economic growth and organisational change programmes, and championed Derby’s pioneering use of AI in public services, including its move to an AI-based customer contact solution.

Michael is the Executive Director of Finance & Resources at Cambridgeshire County Council as well as the President of the Society of County Council. Michael began his carrer with the Audit Commission before moving to KPMG. He has been a section 151 officer across unitary, city, district and county councils for 20 years. Outside of work his passions range from Liverpool FC to walking and cycling.

Alison is the Director of Finance for Three Rivers Council. Alison previously worked for CIPFA as their Head of Standards and Financial Reporting and is past President of the SDCT.

Jon is Executive Director of Transformation and Resources (s151) at Northumberland County Council, taking up that post in May 2026.  He has held similar positions at North Tyneside Council (2022-2026) and Sunderland City Council (2018-2022).  He spent the earlier part of his career working at PwC and Deloitte, focussing on local government and wider public sector assignments in audit, technical accounting and general consultancy.

Carol is currently the Executive Director, Finance at Birmingham City Council after completing a spell as a Commissioner at Woking Borough Council and her year as CIPFA President.

She was previously the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer at Manchester City Council . As well as being the S151 officer, she had responsibility for the Corporate Core and for driving a number of priorities such as the leading on the Council’s Zero Carbon Action Plan and as SRO for The Factory and Town Hall projects. Her previous experience in Manchester has included her role as Deputy City Treasurer responsible for Finance and Performance and ICT as well as being a member of the Health and Social Care Devolution Team, as Assistant Chief Executive overseeing Finance and Performance and as the Assistant Director of Finance and Commissioning for Social Services.

She is CIPFA qualified and has a diploma in management. Carol has a wealth of experience in financial management, governance and assurance and fulfilling trustee roles. 

Tony Travers is a professor in the LSE’s Government Department and an assistant dean in the LSE’s School of Public Policy.  Research interests include public finance, urban politics and London government.  He has been an advisor to a number of UK Parliamentary committees. 

He was a Senior Associate of the Kings Fund from 1999 to 2004, and also a member of the Arts Council’s Touring Panel during the late 1990s.  From 1992 to 1997, he was a member of the Audit Commission.   He was a member of the Urban Task Force Working Group on Finance.

He is a research board member of the Centre for Cities and a board member of the New Local Government Network. He is an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy.  He chaired the London Finance Commission (2012-13 and again in 2016-17) and was a member of the City Growth Commission (2013-14).

He chaired an independent commission examining local government finance in Wales and the London Finance Commission (2014 and 2017).  He was co-chair of the King’s Commission on London.    

He has published a number of books on cities and government, including Failure in British Government The Politics of the Poll Tax (with David Butler and Andrew Adonis), Paying for Health, Education and Housing   How does the Centre Pull the Purse Strings (with Howard Glennerster and John Hills) and The Politics of London: Governing the Ungovernable City.  Most recently, he published London’s Boroughs at 50.

Robin has been Chief Executive at Calderdale Council, in West Yorkshire, since June 2017 and Calderdale’s Place Lead for NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board since July 2022. He is responsible for leading both the Council’s and ICB’s workforce, supporting system leadership across the area in support of Calderdale Vision 2034, and overseeing a major regeneration programme across the borough’s market towns. Robin is Chair of West Yorkshire Chief Executive’s, and is currently leading a review of West Yorkshire Employment Support for West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Robin is the current President of Solace (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) after being lead spokesperson for Solace for Economic Prosperity from 2020-24.

Robin was previously Director of Communities and Business Change for Calderdale, leading the redevelopment of the multi-award-winning restoration of the Piece Hall and new Central Library in Halifax. Prior to that, he worked in local government, the Probation Service and the voluntary sector in East London. Robin is a Fellow of the Centre of Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge, is a life Member of the Faculty of Public Health, a Non-Executive Director of the Northern Housing Consortium and a Trustee of Belong.

Susan Halliwell is an experienced senior leader in local government with over 20 years of experience working in the sector and is currently Chief Executive Officer for Bracknell Forest Council. 

As a geographer Susan has shaped her career around the place leadership agenda.  Having worked at both county and unitary councils Susan has a broad and extensive experience of strategic planning for growth, securing large scale investment, complex transformation and enabling collaborative political decision making to unlock growth opportunities.  Since securing the political commitment to establishing the Berkshire Prosperity Board Susan has been the lead Chief Executive for environment and climate change, which has recently extended to being the Thames Valley lead for environment and climate change linked to the emerging Thames Valley strategic authority.  Susan is also the Chief Executive lead on spatial development strategies for the Thames Valley, providing a pivotal role in the future sub-regional investment landscape. 

Amy is the first permanent Chief Executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), leading one of the largest and most ambitious regions in the country. Home to more than two million people and a £65 billion economy, the East Midlands is entering a new era of collaboration and growth – powered by £2 billion in transport investment and a network of Growth Zones driving innovation, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Working alongside Mayor Claire Ward, Amy is building stronger collaboration between the region’s key industries – which include world-leading employers such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Boots – and Government, investors, councils and the voluntary and community sector.  

Bringing a wealth of experience in regional development and delivery, before joining EMCCA, she held senior investment and regeneration roles at Durham County Council, SouthYorkshire Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester and Sandwell Council.

She currently sits as a Commissioner on the Solace Commission on Professional Standards and Ethics,  supporting the UK’s local government leaders on the challenges of modern public service. 

Gemma leads Big Society Capital’s property investment and market building strategies which aim to increase the supply of good quality, safe and secure affordable housing in the UK. Gemma’s built environment experience spans impact investment, property and regeneration, consultancy and Local Government.

Prior to Big Society Capital, Gemma worked at Lendlease, a global investment, property and construction company, with roles across construction ops, corporate sustainability and urban regeneration. Gemma was previously the Head of the Lendlease Foundation and a social enterprise, Be Onsite, that supports long-term unemployed including current serving prisoners and ex-offenders into employment. Gemma’s earlier career was in environmental consultancy as a Contaminated Land and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) specialist working on due diligence for land acquisitions, remediating heavily contaminated sites and delivering environmental protection programmes for some of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects.

Gemma is a Trustee and a volunteer, has a degree and Masters in Chemistry from the University of Surrey and is a Chartered Environmentalist.

Andrew is Assistant Director – Investment Strategy for the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority and is responsible for overseeing SYPA’s £11bn of assets.  As a resident of Sheffield, Andrew was delighted to join SYPA in October 2024 following his second stint with Legal & General Investment Management.  He has also previously worked at Border to Coast (Head of Customer Relationships) and in investment consulting roles at Towers Watson and KPMG.  Andrew is a qualified actuary, music nerd and barely adequate junior football coach.

Laura Blakey is the Director of Strategic Finance and Investment at GMCA where she oversees the deployment of GM’s own investment funds, with direct experience of investing across a broad range of public and private sector schemes and initiatives.  Laura is a Chartered Accountant and prior to the GMCA worked at KPMG for 13 years.

Tanmay Desai is the Head of Built Environment at Pension Insurance Corporation, where he leads a multidisciplinary team overseeing technical due diligence and construction monitoring across a £2.5 billion development portfolio. With over two decades of experience spanning consultancy, client-side, development, and funding roles, Tanmay brings a 360-degree perspective to risk management in real estate investments. PIC invests a wide range of asset classes including affordable housing, senior living, build-to-rent, PBSA and commercial ground rents. He is known for his strategic leadership, ability to challenge norms, and commitment to sustainable, high-quality development practices.

Shiv is a member of the senior leadership team at the West Midlands Pension Fund and co-leads the Fund’s investment division. He oversees the development and implementation of the Fund’s approach to responsible investment including climate change and the integration of ESG risk factors across the Fund’s investment strategy. Prior to joining the West Midlands Pension Fund Shiv spent his career in investment consulting at Isio, and formerly KPMG, where he advised a range of institutional clients on all aspects of their investment strategy. As part of his role in investment consulting Shiv was heavily involved in asset class and manager research through his role as Head of Credit Research. Shiv has a degree in Economics and is a CFA charterholder.

Richard has extensive and wide ranging financial, commercial and transformation experience. He is a CIPFA qualified accountant whose career spans both public and private sectors. He previously worked for Southampton City Council, where he was the interim Director of Finance. His other previous roles have included Transformation Director at City of Edinburgh Council, Board Director of a mid-sized technology consultancy, Interim Resources Director at Cornwall Council and Executive Director at Somerset County Council. Prior to these roles, Richard worked in public sector consultancy for KPMG and PwC. As Executive Director Resources, Richard leads EMCCA’s finance, HR, commercial, digital, and business operations. He also plays a key role in developing EMCCA’s financial strategy and its commercial relationships.

George retired from his role as Director of the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority after nearly 8 years in December 2025, after a career in local government finance and pensions which included senior finance roles in district and county councils and leading the Lancashire Pension Fund during the creation of LPP follows by leading LPP’s administration business. He now acts as an independent adviser to Border to Coast Pensions Partnership on local investment and is Independent Chair of Lincolnshire’s Local Pension Board as well as providing advice on a range of issues to other LGPS funds. 

David is the Strategic Head of Property at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and has a specific mandate in looking at ways to unlock institutional capital to deal with TA and housing delivery generally.  He comes from a Private Equity Real Estate background and was one of the founders of Chayton Capital. He was formerly a Partner at Knight Frank and Co-Head of the company’s European Property Valuation team. He has worked with numerous institutional investors, funds and international banks, providing real estate investment and acquisition advice and support, and has been involved in all types of commercial and residential projects in virtually all major markets across Western and Eastern Europe and served as advisor to many entities, including several governments and international organisations.

Justin is a Senior Funding & Investment Manager working within the Environment Directorate of the West of England Combined Authority 

Justin also acts as the Finance Lead for the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) Local Net Zero Accelerator Programme supporting Greater Manchester, West Midlands and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authorities. 

Justin has an extensive 35-year career background in education management, curriculum development, consultancy, investment banking (capital markets and infrastructure finance), social enterprise, and sector specialisms in renewable energy and environmental goods & services. 

Ross Morrow is a Co-Founder & Executive Director of DunPort Capital Management. Prior to establishing DunPort, Ross was a Senior Analyst at BlueBay, where he was responsible for the origination, execution and management of debt investments in Irish SMEs. Ross also worked in the debt advisory and restructuring team at Lazard, where he advised European middle market and high yield borrowers. Prior to Lazard he worked for Hawkpoint’s debt advisory & restructuring practice, Acision as Group Treasurer and Anglo Irish Bank as a leveraged finance banker focused on the UK and Ireland.

He has a BComm degree in Finance from University College Dublin, an MSc in International Business from the Michael Smurfit Graduate School in Ireland, is a CFA charter holder and has an MBA from Cass Business School in London.

Wyndham North is Managing Director, Capital Formation for the British Business Bank. He has led the Bank’s work to establish British Growth Partnership as a vehicle to catalyse pension fund investment in UK growth, which announced a first close earlier in 2026. Previously he was Policy and Strategy Director for the Bank, and prior to that spent eleven years at HM Treasury leading the development of policy relating to tax, investment and international co-operation, including as Deputy Director for Customs Negotiations

Iain has worked with the public infrastructure sector for over 25 years. He has worked in corporate finance at PwC and KPMG advising the UK Government on privatisations and developing PPP models for investment and enhanced service delivery. He later joined RBS working in structured finance, where he worked with local authorities and large UK and international corporates to deliver debt and equity solutions for areas such as ports, transport, and waste management. Following this, Iain led the UK Green Investment Bank’s public sector lending team, specialising in energy efficiency, building retrofit, and heat network projects. Since joining UKIB as the Director of Lending, he has helped to develop the Local Authority functions flexible and efficient lending offer to support local authorities in the delivery of net-zero and economic infrastructure.

Kenroy Quellennec‑Reid is Deputy Director, Impact Investment at London Treasury Limited (LTL), the Greater London Authority’s regulated investment and treasury management subsidiary. He leads LTL’s climate finance and responsible investment functions, supporting local authorities and other stakeholders in deploying capital at scale in pursuit of the Mayor of London’s 2030 net zero target. His work includes structuring debt and blended finance solutions, including delivery through the Mayor’s Green Finance Fund. With over 20 years’ experience in impact investment, Kenroy has established and managed major investment funds supporting London’s strategic priorities, such as SME growth, economic development and net zero aligned transition.

Mike joined the Scottish National Investment Bank in August 2020, prior to its launch in November of that year. Before taking his current role, he held various positions including being the Bank’s Director of Communications & Marketing. In his role Mike seeks to build relationships, across both the private sector and with Local Government Pension Schemes. Before joining the Bank, Mike worked in strategy & marketing for over twenty years at organisations including Accenture and RBS / NatWest. He is a passionate believer in the potential for impact capital to have a transformative effect on both the Scottish economy and society more broadly.”