Midland Local Government Leadership Forum

Midland Local Government Leadership Forum
The Welcombe Hotel Stratford 9 - 10 September 2026
Register Your Interest Sponsor the Forum
Two pictures of people networking in a room

The MJ Future Forum Midlands

The MJ’s Midlands Forum 2026 comes at a time of huge upheaval in local government. LGR is dominating the landscape for shire councils with elections for new shadow unitaries due in May 2027 amid a backdrop of ongoing devolution deals. Councils continue to face an inflationary storm with demand from social services rapidly swallowing up budgets despite above inflation council tax rises. And turbulent politics after the May elections provides further challenges for management teams.

MJ Future Forum Midlands 2026 will cover:

    • Devolution in the Midlands: Where next for strategic authorities?
    • Budget challenges: Will the Chancellor’s devolved funding plans deliver?
    • Is digital transformation delivering real impact?
    • Working under a new political regime
    • Building the skills for new unitary and combined authority roles.  
Sponsor Enquiry Register Your Interest

Testimonials

  • Katherine Marriott

    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
  • Shokat Lal

    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
  • Marc Greenwood

    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
  • Tony Perks

    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
  • Olive O'Sullivan

    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
  • Michelle Sacks

    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
  • Richard Marsh, Mid Devon 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
  • Jan Britton, Dorset 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
  • Donna Chisholm, Brighton and Hove City 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
  • Graham Ebers, Wokingham Borough Council

    An interesting, relevant and punchy conference undertaken in a relaxed environment.

    Graham Ebers Wokingham Borough Council
  • Natalie Brahma-Pearl, Portsmouth City 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
  • Stephen Moir, Cambridgeshire County 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
  • David Godfrey, Kent County Council

    Excellent event - always surprised, always learn something new.

    David Godfrey Kent County Council

2025 Speakers