You can also view a short video of the conference highlights (at the top of this page). Explanations and download materials for the workshops are below.

Efficiency and Effectiveness

This highlights the challenges ahead for PSL and sets the scene for the main conference of delivering improved outcomes through collaboration.

Leading Cities

This workshop presented the findings of a new primary research into cross-sector leadership collaboration in three UK cities with an emphasis on partnership with their universities, and unveils the framework for a new city-level leadership development process to underpin it. The workshop was presented by Ewart Wooldridge, Chief Executive, Leadership Foundation for Higher Education.

Leading Collaborative Partnerships

This interactive workshop focused on the establishment of the Welsh Public Service Academy as a case study of collaborative leadership in action. It focused on the challenges and the learning involved in a whole country initiative. The workshop was led by Jo Carruthers, Public Service Management Wales.

A 'Local Solutions' approach to school leader succession planning

This workshop highlighted the fact that two thirds of headteachers are now over 50 and a third over 55. In response to this the National College has developed a 'local solutions' approach to help schools solve their own local succession planning challenges. The workshop was presented by Dr Mark Pattison, Executive Director, Succession Planning, national College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services and Dr Judy Larsen, National Succession Consultant.

Suffolk Lives - Collaboration across a region

This workshop heard from the Leaders of Suffolk's Lead, Engage, Aspire Perform in Partnership Programme (LEAPP) about their experiences and what they have learnt as a result of working differently together. The workshop was presented by Pat Rockall, Chief Executive Babergh District Council and Michael Attwood, Suffolk County Council.

Cross Sector Partnership Peer Support

This workshop provided an overview of the launch of the strategic alliance for partnership peer support. Core to the success of the IDeA has been the recruitment and deployment of councillor and officer peers who have provided the critical friend role. This alliance now widens the pool of peers and the potential impact of peer support to meet the increasing needs of partnership working. The workshop was presented by Councillor Gerald Vernon Jackson, National Lead Member Peer (Liberal Democrat), IDeA and Jeremy Crabb, Associate, Board Level Development, National Health Service Institute for Innovation and Improvement.

Take Part Programme

This national programme is being developed through 18 pathfinder areas. It aims to give people the skills, knowledge and therefore confidence they need to have a say about what happens in their area. The workshop provided participants with an update on this programme. The workshop was presented by Stuart Hoggan, Acting Director, Local Democracy and Participation.

Top Leaders Programme

Participants on this workshop had an opportunity to contribute to the thinking on this new programme for top leaders. The workshop also provided an overview of the background, purpose and progress on the joint commissioning of this innovative cross public sector programme. The workshop was led by Sara Williams, Strategic Advisor - Strategy IDeA.

Top Team

In this workshop participants heard how West Sussex county council has radically transformed its senior management in the last two years. The top team are appointed as members of the strategic management team and then assigned roles which rotate regularly around the organisation. Mark Hammond from West Sussex County Council led the workshop.

Worcestershire: Leading the County

This workshop reported on how Worcestershire have engaged with PSL to develop an innovative and demanding leadership programme to train senior leaders in how best to run the county. The workshop was led by John Tizard, programme lead and Director, Centre for Public Services Partnerships, University of Birmingham and John Atkinson, managing director, Leadership Centre for Local Government.

Leadership in Scotland

This workshop explored the actions of the National Community Planning Group in supporting the development and implementation of an outcomes focused approach to public service delivery in Scotland. A core purpose of the Group is supporting the transformation of public service delivery by driving forward a joint approach to service planning, resourcing and delivery across Scotland. The workshop was presented by Mark McAteer, Director of Governance and Performance Management, The Improvement Service.