London Agenda 2026

8:45 - 9:10

Registration

Start your day by signing in and picking up your exclusive Collaboration Pack. This pack includes all the materials you’ll need for an engaging day of learning and networking. Arrive early to ensure you have ample time to get settled and connect with fellow attendees.

9:10 - 9:20

Editors' Welcome & Table Introductions

Following a welcome and overview of the day’s agenda from our editors, you will have a chance to meet the people on your table, paving the way for productive discussions throughout the day.

Table introductions will be supported by a dedicated facilitator.

Speakers:

Jessica Bowie, Editor, Civil Service World

Suzannah Brecknell, Editor, Civil Service World

9:20 - 9:30

Opening Address

Speaker:

Joy Johnston, Prime Minister’s Special Advisor for Faith, Communities and Civil Society

9:30 - 9:45

Keynote Speech

Get inspired by our keynote speaker who will set the tone for the day. Hear about their experiences in collaboration and gain valuable tips and tricks to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Speaker:

Dr Carla Groom, Deputy Director for Human-Centred Design Science

9:45 - 10:25

Award-Winning Collaboration

Hear from those at the forefront of collaboration across the Civil Service, as we hear from finalists of 2025’s Civil Service Collaboration Award.

Speakers:

Faye Gracey, Senior Principal Research Officer, Welsh Government

Flynn Hickey, Head of Sector Insights and Commercial Strategy, Department for Health and Social Care

10:25 - 10:45

Coffee Break

Recharge with a coffee break and take the opportunity to network with fellow attendees.

10:45-11:50

Skills Session: Trust, respect and ethics: how to collaborate with opponents as well as allies

This session will help participants build trust for effective collaboration. We will look at how our level of trust for someone interacts with our level of dis/agreement with them; and how important it is to build rapport and respect with those who hold very different views to us. Participants will practice techniques to build their understanding of different viewpoints, and how to apply these insights to improve their collaboration skills.

Speaker:

Kate Sturdy, Dods Training Facilitator

11:50 - 12:50

Lunch and Speed Networking

Enjoy a delicious lunch while mingling with other conference participants. Engage with other attendees at the conference through our facilitated speed networking option.

12:50 - 13:10

A Small Good Thing

Hear about inspiring work to build connections and understanding across the public sector, and explore how you can be part of it.

Speaker:

Paul Morrison, Director General for Visas, Passports, Citizenship and Resettlement Services.

13:10 - 14:10

Skills Session: Collaboration – World Café

In this World Café session, you will explore different aspects of and barriers to collaboration, with each table exploring how to address challenges or develop opportunities for partnership working. Topics will include: Collaboration in a crisis; Collaboration on everyday projects and Cross Department Collaboration.

14:10 - 14:25

Coffee Break

Recharge with a coffee break and take the opportunity to network with fellow attendees.

14:25 - 15:25

Panel Session: Rehabilitation

How can public services work together to break cycles of reoffending and build the foundations for long-term reintegration? This panel will discuss this question by bringing together senior leaders from the public, private and third sectors.

Speakers:

David Daddow, Governor, HMP The Mount

Danni Hinchliffe, Barriers and Complex Needs Lead, Department for Work and Pensions

Rokaiya Khan, Chief Executive, Together Women

James Rogers, Deputy Director – Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Directorate, Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government

Lord Timpson OBE, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending

15:25 - 16:15

Panel Session: How We Lead

What does it mean to be a collaborative leader? Hear from senior leaders across local and central government about how they support and nurture real collaboration among their teams.

Speakers:

Hamida Ali, Head of Learning and Practice, Future Governance Forum

Jenny Rowlands, Former Chief Executive, Camden Council

Jane Sassienie, Global Director, Bridge Partnership

Osian Jones, Director Strategy, Design and Insights, Camden Council

16:15 - 17:00

Networking

End the day with a networking session. Join your colleagues from across the public sector to compare notes on the day’s discussions, share insights, and get to know our guest speakers and discussion hosts better. This is your chance to forge new connections and explore potential collaborations. 

Facilitating active learning and reflective discussions

Throughout the day, delegates will be supported to develop actionable insights by highly-experienced facilitators from our sister company Dods Training. These colleagues will guide reflective conversations on each table as well as leading a focused policy challenge discussion during our skills sessions - helping delegates explore key challenges, facilitating knowledge exchange, and fostering collaborative innovation across government and industry.