On 9th October 2024, we proudly celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Leadership Centre at the iconic BT Tower in London. This milestone event gathered leaders from across the public, private, and voluntary sectors for a day filled with meaningful discussions about local leadership and place-based working.
(L-R) Mark Rogers, CX of the Leadership Centre, Debbie Sorkin, National Director of Systems Leadership at the Leadership Centre, Paula Read, former CX of a number of NHS Trusts, Mike Adamson CBE, Chair of St Mungo’s, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Leader of Islington Council, Helen MacNamara, Chair of the Future Governance Forum and Simon Godfrey of BT.
We were honoured to hear from esteemed speakers who shared their expertise and perspectives. Helen MacNamara, Chair of the Future Governance Forum and former Deputy Cabinet Secretary, emphasised the importance of adaptive leadership and learning from our previous decision-making. Acknowledging that often the systems and processes we have place get in the way, Helen said, “Never underestimate what a small number of people in a room can do. People are generally highly motivated to do good or at least be effective – what is it that gets in the way? How can we create the conditions & climate that it is possible?”.
Cllr Kaya Comer Schwartz, Leader of Islington Council, inspired attendees with her insights on the leaders she meets in different environments across our communities. Sharing some of her very significant achievements in improving children’s services in her area, she also reflected on where she gathers inspiration from, “Leaders are everywhere; in every walk of life and every workplace. As an elected leader, it’s so important to listen to people and learn from their experiences.”
Meanwhile, Michael Adamson CBE, Chair of St Mungo’s and former Chief Executive of the Red Cross shared compelling stories from his work in tackling homelessness through collaborative efforts, stressing that, “if we really want the dial to move on some of these intractable issues, we need to be prepared to leave our personal and organisational baggage at the door, assume good intent and give it the time it needs.”
Paula Head, a very experienced leader in healthcare having been a Chief Executive of several NHS Trusts, reflected on the challenges faced by public services and the type of leadership which she has found to inspire others. She also discussed the culture which she think results in teams performing to the very best of their abilities, “Give people the space to be creative and innovate and then hold the faith, because change takes time.”
As the discussions unfolded, several key themes emerged, underscoring the essence of effective leadership in our communities. The importance of place became evident; working within its context allows for deeper, more meaningful connections with the communities we serve. Focusing on place unlocks a stronger sense of shared purpose and aligns diverse sectors around common goals. Throughout the event there was reinforcement that collaboration is vital. By coming together and learning from one another, we can develop tailored solutions that leave a lasting impact on local needs.
Another crucial insight was that leadership happens everywhere. It isn’t confined to those with formal titles; each of us can inspire change within our communities, enabling us to effectively address real-world issues. We acknowledged that leading public services today can be incredibly challenging. Yet, this environment creates opportunities for open dialogue about the realities leaders face, fostering reflection and the evolution of approaches. Finally, the innovative ways local leaders are tackling societal challenges served as a source of inspiration, demonstrating that great ideas flourish when leaders are empowered and supported.
The view from the top of BT Tower at night
After the panel discussion, attendees were invited to join the team for a meal at the rotating restaurant at the top of the BT Tower, where we all experienced breathtaking views of London as night fell. As we reflected on the past 20 years, it became clear that the Leadership Centre’s mission to innovate, inspire, and invest in public services has never been more relevant. Since our inception in 2004, we have worked with over 150 local authorities, continuously adapting our support to meet the evolving needs of leaders. Our current programmes include nurturing top teams, supporting leaders under pressure, and leading place-based change, all designed to empower leaders to navigate pressing challenges and create thriving, equitable communities.
As we look to the future, we invite you to continue the conversation about how the Leadership Centre can support your work in place-based leadership. If you are interested in enhancing leadership within your organization or want to discuss collaborative opportunities, we would love to hear from you.