Midland Local Government Leadership Forum

Dates & Venue TBC 9 - 10 September 2026

Two pictures of people networking in a room

The MJ Future Forum Midlands

The MJ’s Midlands Forum 2025 came at a time of unusual change in a sector where change is already a constant.

Local government reorganisation has concentrated the minds of two tier council areas, devolution is carving out a new role for mayoral combined authorities such as in the Midlands, the NHS Ten-Year Plan due to be published in the spring heralds new upheaval for the health and social care sectors, budgets are further squeezed by demand pressures and spending curbs, and the government is pressing hard for more housing and regional growth.

The Forum included sessions on all these key challenges with high level speakers delivering their solutions.

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Testimonials

One of the best events in the Local Gov calendar. Insightful speakers, topical and relevant and a great chance to share experiences with industry colleagues.

Katherine Marriott Chief Executive Rushcliffe Borough Council
The MJ Future Forum is an excellent opportunity to learn, reflect and shape the challenges and changes faced by local government. It is an event with the right level of pace, energy and time out to gain greater insights, connect with peers and come back inspired with ideas and new thinking!

Shokat Lal Chief Executive Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
The event provided stimulating debate and insights which can generally only be shared through the type of engaging dialogue provided through the Forum format.

Marc Greenwood Executive Director Blaby District Council
The MJ Future Forum Midlands included a great range of topics covered by well-informed speakers. Time well spent.

Tony Perks Deputy Chief Executive Stratford on Avon District Council
As a first time attendee at an MJ Forum, I found it really useful . The sessions covered relevant issues and the opportunity to take time out and network with peers was hugely valuable. Thank you to the organisers for making me feel so welcome.

Olive O'Sullivan Chief Executive Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council
I gained some really practical knowledge that I have been able to bring back into my organisation as part of that continuous improvement journey we are all on - the insight and commentary were invaluable.

Michelle Sacks Chief Executive Huntingdonshire District Council
The MJ Future Forum is a 'go to' event for me in my year: it provides an excellent mix of highly topical, focused and insightful discussions, excellent speakers and superb opportunities for networking with other senior leaders from within the public sector family.

Richard Marsh Mid Devon District Council
The 24-hour format of The MJ Future Forum keeps up the pace in looking at key issues across the sector and network with senior colleagues. A good value investment of time.

Jan Britton Dorset council
An outstanding 24 hours of knowledge sharing, off-record insight with a strong dash of realism that maps out what lies ahead. Definitely worth the time and effort. Thank you for inviting me.

Donna Chisholm Brighton and Hove City Council
An interesting, relevant and punchy conference undertaken in a relaxed environment.

Graham Ebers Wokingham Borough Council
Great opportunity to hear about some of the most pressing challenges LAs are facing and what some areas are doing about it. An opportunity for leaders of place to come together and talk about the hard stuff.

Natalie Brahma-Pearl Portsmouth City Council
I found The MJ Future Forum providing a great blend of key speakers, insights and networking opportunities. The smaller nature of the event in terms of the total audience and the 24 hour approach to the whole event made this well worth attending.

Stephen Moir Cambridgeshire County Council
Excellent event - always surprised, always learn something new.

David Godfrey Kent County Council

2025 Speakers

All Speakers