Annual Public Sector Work Force Summit
Event Date: 15 Jun 2026 09:00 - 16:30
Location: Molineux Stadium, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton, WV1 4QR
Cost: Free for Shareholder councils. Prices available for non-members and Corporate Subscribers
Training Conference Networking
The Annual Public Sector Workforce Summit offers space to step back from day to day pressures, reflect on professional practice, and connect with peers across the region. As Local Government navigates reorganisation, devolution, and an evolving political landscape, the event provides practical insight and renewed focus to help HR leaders manage the workforce challenges ahead.
What to expect and why attend
Local Government is entering a period of significant transformation, shaped by Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the wider devolution agenda, and an increasingly complex political landscape.
As organisations navigate these changes, HR and workforce leaders will play a critical role in supporting transformation, leading organisational change, and enabling strong leadership across the public sector.
The Annual Public Sector Workforce Summit is designed for HR professionals, workforce leaders, organisational development specialists, and senior leaders working across Local Government and the wider public sector. It provides a valuable opportunity to step away from day to day pressures, reflect on professional practice, and explore practical strategies for the year ahead.
Through insightful discussions and opportunities to connect with peers from across the region, the summit will leave you feeling refreshed, re-energised, and equipped with renewed focus to lead your workforce through the challenges and opportunities ahead.
A new horizon: Leading with impact programme
| 10:00am | Rebecca Davis, West Midlands Employers: Welcome |
| 10:15am | Keynote Speaker: Juliette Alban-Metcalfe Juliette will explore how HR leaders can demonstrate strong leadership during a period of significant turbulence, while positioning HR as a vital strategic enabler for senior leaders. She will also reflect on the role HR plays in supporting leadership growth and helping organisations reset and strengthen their cultures. |
11.00am | Coffee break |
11.15am | Keynote Speaker: Nicola Millard Artificial intelligence has passed the Turing Test with flying colours and is rapidly developing capabilities that were once only in the realms of Science Fiction. It is reshaping how we work, create, collaborate, and make decisions. But, amid rapid automation and technological change, many questions remain. Will the AI bubble burst? What role will humans play in the future of work? Does it help us become more productive and motivated at work? What is it actually for? This session explores the evolving relationship between AI and human capabilities, moving beyond the “AI will take all the jobs” noise to examine what is actually changing, and what we need to think about as we augment our own brilliant brains with technology.
Rather than asking whether machines will replace people, this session focuses on how humans and AI can work together to unlock greater productivity, innovation, and meaning at work |
12.45pm | Lunch and networking |
1.45pm | David Sidaway, Chief Executive, Telford & Wrekin Council & Hannah Preece, HR & OD Service Delivery Manager, Telford & Wrekin Council An insight into Telford & Wrekin Council’s journey to becoming LGC Council of the Year 2025, exploring the role of strategic leadership, organisational culture, workforce strategy, and organisational development in driving transformation and delivering excellence. |
2:45pm | Coffee break |
| 3:00pm | Practical session with Ruby Bhattal.
In this interactive session, Ruby Bhattal will explore how to build and strengthen your personal brand during periods of change and transition. The session will include a coffee break, offering time for informal discussion and networking with peers. |
| 4:00pm - 4:30pm | Rebecca Davis, West Midlands Employers: Closing remarks |
Speaker bios
Juliette Alban-Metcalfe
Juliette is the CEO of The Real World Group and a Chartered Occupational Psychologist Juliette has been with Real World Group since they were founded, working globally with leaders and teams up to Board level to strengthen leadership capability and organisational impact.
As a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, she combines deep academic expertise with a practical, people-centred approach. Juliette is passionate about positive psychology and diversity & inclusion in leadership, ensuring organisations not only succeed but also build sustainable, high-performing cultures.
She has been recognised as one of the UK’s most influential thought leaders in leadership development, with her work shaping how organisations worldwide approach inclusive leadership and organisational growth. If you have heard Juliette speak before you will know her inspiring and challenging approach.
Nicola Millard
Dr Nicola Millard is an award-winning keynote speaker, futurist and social scientist, known for translating complex technology and innovation trends into clear, people-centred insight. With a rare blend of academic rigour and real-world experience, she helps organisations understand how humans really think, behave and adapt in the face of change, technology and the future of work.
David Sidaway, Chief Executive, Telford & Wrekin Council
David Sidaway is Chief Executive of Telford & Wrekin Council and has extensive experience in local government leadership, regeneration, and organisational transformation. Since becoming Chief Executive in 2020, he has led the council’s strategic vision and transformation journey, helping drive the organisation’s recognition as Council of the Year 2025. His work focuses on leadership, place shaping, partnership working, and delivering positive outcomes for communities.
Hannah Preece, HR & OD Service Delivery Manager, Telford & Wrekin Council
Hannah Preece is HR & OD Service Delivery Manager at Telford & Wrekin Council, with a strong background in human resources, organisational development, and workforce strategy. She has played a key role in supporting organisational transformation through people-focused initiatives, culture development, employee engagement, and leadership support. Hannah is passionate about creating high-performing, resilient workplaces that enable positive outcomes for both employees and communities.
Ruby Bhattal
After more than 25 years in senior public sector leadership, including two decades leading communications at Nottingham City Council and heading brand and reputation at the University of Nottingham, Ruby launched her own coaching and consultancy practice in 2024. Ruby works with professionals, senior leaders and organisations, bringing expertise across coaching, mentoring, leadership development and strategic marketing and communications.
Ruby created The Saffron Shift®, a structured programme built around a single question: What Is Your Strategy For You?™ It is designed to help professionals build a personal strategy for their career and their life as the two are linked. At the Summit, Ruby is running an interactive session giving delegates protected space to reflect on their own personal brand narrative and visibility through change.
Delegates will leave with clearer sight of what they want to stand for and how they want to be experienced. Ruby holds an MBA, is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a qualified member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council. Ruby is the recipient of the Comms2Point0 Lifetime Achievement Award 2023, a West Midlands Employers Associate, a tutor on the Solace Emerging Leaders programme, and was appointed Board Director for Mentoring Practice with EMCC UK earlier this year.
Shareholder, Members & Non-member costs
Free Places for Shareholder Organisations - book below
x 1 free place for Corporate Subscriber
Additional places are charged at £130 + VAT
Non-Subscribers: £350 + VAT Group
Discounts: 5% off for 5+ delegates 10% off for 10+ delegates
Bookings must be made together to qualify Cancellations may incur charges; see booking form for details
Need to know more? Take a look at what you can expect in the video below.
