Room151’s Technology, Data and Finance Forum 2025

Becky is an experienced Director and Section 151 Officer with a finance and accountancy professional background and extensive experience working in local government. She joined Calderdale Council in September 2023 as Director of Resources and Transformation which was a newly role created to bring a more strategic focus on effective use of resources, transformation and shift to outcomes based financial planning. Her Directorate incorporates Finance, Corporate Procurement, ICT and Digital, HR and OD, Performance and Business Intelligence and Audit and Assurance.

Prior to her current role, Becky worked for North Lincolnshire Council as Director, Governance and Communities (S151 Officer) and experienced in strategic planning and organisational and system-wide transformation.

London Borough of Hackney

A customer focused digital transformation leader with over 20 years of local government experience in development and delivery of strategies and services, leading and implementing digital transformation programmes. My core values of integrity, courage, innovation, authenticity, inclusivity and respect has helped me build and nourish high-performing teams to deliver customer-focused strategies and measurable impact. I believe news technologies and ethical use of data play a key role in our mission to transform the lives of residents, support businesses, shape local government services and empower every stakeholder.

David has over 25 years of leadership experience in the software and technology sector, specialising in solutions for public sector organisations, including healthcare, local government, and social care.

Currently serving as Managing Director of Business Solutions at Integrated Business Software and Solutions (part of the ADVT Group), David oversees three specialist businesses: IBSS –  with their Integra Finance system, CHKS, and Celaton. These companies provide digital solutions that help organisations improve operational efficiency through technology, data, and automation across local government, healthcare, and private sector clients.

Graham is a CIPFA qualified accountant and has over 30 years experience across the public sector, predominately in local government, and has managed teams across all the major services in management and financial accounting. In this time, he has managed finances across unitary, county, and district authorities, including Northamptonshire County Council, South Somerset District Council, London Boroughs of Southwark and Haringey. 

As a consultant, Graham has spent the past 10 years providing support covering areas such as chart of account design, new system procurement and implementation, collection fund accounting, business partnering, supporting closure of accounts, and clearing historic audits across diverse organisations including London Borough of Croydon, Harborough District Council, Department for Transport, Government Property Agency and Capita (as part of support across six district councils).

Additionally, he is an experienced trainee and a previous tutor for CIPFA, teaching the PSFR and Case Study papers.

With a career spanning 25 years in Business & Commercial Banking, Kat has been deeply embedded in the Local Authority sector since 2016.   Kat currently serves as Head of   MC Direct and Local Authority Sector Lead at Lloyds Banking Group, leading a Sector Specialist team of Relationship Managers across the UK, known for their passion and expertise in supporting the Public Sector & Charities.

Anil Passi is a transformation leader with deep experience in driving ERP and digital change across local government, higher education, public sector bodies, police forces, and financial services. As author of three books on enterprise systems with McGraw-Hill and a recognised Oracle ACE, he brings a rare mix of strategic insight and practical delivery. At Fusion Practices, Anil helps councils modernise operations, improve financial control, and achieve cost efficiencies by applying proven innovations from diverse sectors to the needs of local government.

With almost 20 years of experience in the public sector, Fiona is dedicated to transforming public services through innovation and technology. At Oracle, she helps organisations reimagine digital delivery, driving productivity, efficiency, and meaningful improvements for citizens. With a strong background in service design, organisational design, and transformation, Fiona is passionate about supporting leaders to harness technology’s full potential to create lasting impact.

Zakki has been working in Local Government for over 20 years and has worked for a number of London councils during this time. Zakki is currently the Director of Digital & IT for the City of London Corporation and the City of London Police, where his focus has been on stripping away complexity and bringing IT across the wider organisation together.

Zakki sits on the Local Government Digital Panel, LGA AI Steering Group and serves as a Local Government Association Peer for Cyber Security. Zakki also advises on national campaigns and projects to improve Cyber Security across the sector.

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.

ikin Tailor has spent almost two decades working in local government finance and is currently Director of Finance (deputy s151 officer) at Westminster City Council. Rikin started his career at the London Borough of Haringey where he worked on the transition to IFRS and then Capital and Assets Accountant at the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Having previously worked in senior roles including Head of Corporate Finance at Westminster, he returned to the authority in May having spent just over a year as Deputy Director for Local Audit at the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). During his time at the FRC he focussed on the local government audit backlog, working closely with the regulatory divisions of the FRC and DLUHC, CIPFA, NAO, PSAA and the ICAEW.   

His experience at the FRC has illustrated to him the importance of proportionate financial reporting and audit in the sector. And is keen that the backlog solution is a catalyst for long term reform.  

Jody is the Chief Finance Officer at Cambridge City Council, having previously also worked at Uttlesford District Council. Prior to joining the local government sector, Jody spent 10 years as an external auditor of a variety of public sector organisations, as well as a stint as Head of Financial Accounts at the Royal British Legion. Outside of work, Jody volunteers with Explorer Scouts and enjoys organising camps and outdoor activities.