Women in Local Government

Date: Wednesday, 28th February 2024

Live Location: Total Politics, 11th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP

Exciting news! Due to high demand, the Women in Local Government conference now also offers an online attendance option. Limited spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. *Click here to confirm your preference.

Despite making up 78% of the local government workforce, women account for only 17% of local authority leaders and 33% of council chief executives – statistics which have hardly changed for a decade. Meanwhile, following the 2019 council elections, just 35% of councillors are female, further representing lack of meaningful progress for women in Local Government. In the context of constitutional change and devolution, it is more important than ever that leadership teams in local government are fully representative of the populations they serve.

Following hugely successful events in London, Manchester and online over the past three years, Women in Local Government returns in 2024 to offer practical advice and coaching on how to address the barriers affecting your progression and further develop your career in times of change.

Why attend?

• Identify the unique leadership challenges and opportunities facing women in local government today
• Learn how successful women negotiate for what they need to be effective leaders
• Gain a deeper understanding of the skills, qualities and attributes needed to be a successful leader
• Raise the visibility of women as senior leaders in local government
• Create a lasting network of women leaders who are effecting change across local government

*We'll reach out closer to the event to confirm your preference.

09:10

Chair’s opening address: Examining the current landscape for women in local government leadership  

• Understanding why women are underrepresented in senior positions  
• Outlining the cultural and practical obstacles to career progression  

CHAIR: Charlotte Eisenhart, Head of Member Services, National Association of Local Councils

09:30

Addressing key barriers and enablers for women’s career progression   

• Leveraging strengths and tapping into the right resources  
• Negotiating for what you need to progress your career  
• Flexible working: identifying strategies to create the balance you require  
• Seeking out mentorship and sponsorship opportunities  

SPEAKER: Helen Jenkins, Head of Leadership, Local Government Association

10:15

Interactive session

Dispelling imposter syndrome to fulfil your full potential  

• The confidence gap: reframing perceptions of capability  
• Acknowledging strengths and achievements to maintain a positive internal dialogue  
• Defining your career goals and visualising success  
• Finding the courage to lead authentically  

SPEAKER: Jasmine Mbye, Founder, The Like Me CIC

11:00

Break

11:30

Communicating with confidence: Laying the groundwork to communicate with impact   

• Top tips for delivering your message succinctly and confidently  
• Managing adrenaline to think clearly under pressure  
• Structuring your meetings and preparatory work for maximum effect  

SPEAKER: Cath Baxter, Professional Voice and Public Speaking Consultant & former Head of Voice, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

12:30

Managing difficult conversations: Giving and receiving effective feedback in challenging situations  

• Personal and external barriers that can prevent successful discussions  
• Taking a problem-solving approach to gain positive results  
• Holding difficult conversations with confidence  
• Key tips and strategies for successfully giving and receiving feedback   

SPEAKER: Anita Jakhu, Freelance Consultant, Anita Jakhuu Consultancy Ltd.

13:00

Lunch

14:00

Menopause in the Workplace: Seeking support and conducting sensitive conversations   

• Seeking appropriate support and accessing organisational resources   
• Asking for required workplace changes or adjustments    
• Your role in managing and supporting colleagues with menopausal symptoms  

SPEAKER: Deborah Garlick, CEO, Henpicked

14:35

Keynote 

Learning together: Fostering outstanding global practice and advancing your leadership 

• Exploring global leadership challenges, collaborative learning opportunities and adopting best practice  

SPEAKER: Piali Das Gupta, Director, London Councils

15:00

Leading a change in culture: where do we go from here?   

• Raising the visibility of women as leaders in local government  
• Dispelling expectations around traditional leadership paths and behaviours  
• The importance of lifting others as you climb  

SPEAKER: Genine Whitehorne, Director Commercial Change and Portfolio Delivery, City of London Corporation

SPEAKER: Councillor Marianne Overton, Leader, LGA Independent Group;Vice Chairman, the Local Government Association

15:45

Chair’s closing remarks   

CHAIR: Charlotte Eisenhart, Head of Member Services, National Association of Local Councils