09:40

Welcome from Dods D&I

10:00

Examining the role of women across local government

• Understanding why women are underrepresented in senior positions
• Tackling the cultural and practical obstacles to leadership

SPEAKER: Dame Margaret Hodge, MP for Barking

SPEAKER: Councillor Marianne Overton MBE, Vice Chair, Local Government Association, Leader, LGA Independent Group & Vice-Chair, Women’s Local Government Society

10:45

Leadership material: a toolkit for positioning yourself as leader

• Developing and retaining a growth mindset in the face of challenge or adversity
• Honing networking skills to identify potential mentors, allies and support
• Dispelling impostor syndrome to fulfil your full potential

SPEAKER: Councillor Mrs. Lesley Clarke OBE, Chairman, Women’s Local Government Society, Chairman, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority

11:45

In the line of sight: increasing your visibility and rising to challenges

• Pitching your skills and putting yourself forward
• Identifying your unique skills and priorities to build a personal brand
• Leading from the middle: a discussion on having impact at any level

SPEAKER: Councillor Sue Baxter, Chairman, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC)

12:30

Maximising your impact in online communications

• Listen up: speaking so that others pay attention
• Presenting with gravitas and confidence
• Interjecting and responding to interruption with authority and composure

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

14:30

Maintaining balance: protecting your wellbeing to contribute your best work

• Flexible working as an enabler for women in leadership
• Prioritising your wellbeing and seeking support where needed
• Pushing back against perfectionism

SPEAKER: Councillor Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, Birmingham City Council

15:30

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

• Raising the visibility of women as senior leaders in local government
• Placing honesty, respect and mutual support at the forefront in relationships with staff and colleagues
• Authentic leadership: finding the courage to lead authentically

SPEAKER: Councillor Rachael Robathan, Leader, Westminster City Council

16:30

Event Close