LG Challenge 2025

Michael:
Welcome to the 2025 Local Government Challenge. We're so excited to reveal the ten officers for the thirteenth cohort, who will be going on a unique leadership and development journey, all whilst competing for a scholarship. The cohort will be working in teams to offer fresh ideas and diverse perspectives to five local councils between January and May. The challenges cover a wide range of service areas on the real-life issues that councils are grappling with locally.

Adeel: 
To be selected for the 2025 cohort is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Angelo:
I was thrilled. It was an honour, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to grow.

Amy:
I am looking forward to applying my skills in transparent policymaking, to the LG Challenge’s high stakes scenarios.

Jess:
A touch terrified, but mostly really excited. It looks like a really great cohort.

Harriet:
I'm really looking forward to meeting my fellow contestants and learning more about the things that they do within local authorities across the UK.

Mike:
I’m looking forward to travelling, which is something you don't get to do very much as a local government officer and hopefully visiting some really exciting town halls.

Rebecca:
There's a lot of different people with different experiences, that I think will make this a really great learning opportunity for me.

Aoife:
I’m looking forward to visiting the different councils, seeing more of the the country and learning about the challenges they're facing, and hopefully helping to come up with solutions.

Shohum:
And understanding how their organisations function as well as understanding how they’re tackling some of the biggest challenges facing local government.

Helen:
I’m looking forward to broadening my horizons, to visit other councils to see how they operate, and see other leaders in action.

Virginia:
The Local Government Challenge allows the cohort to work on the skills required to thrive in the sector. Each challenge will test and develop their business acumen, teamworking, political awareness and communication. Challenges take place over just two days at each council. So they’ll also need to bring all of their transformation, problem solving, and innovation skills to offer the very best solutions, back to our host authorities.

Mike:
The thing that I think I’ll find most challenging is, presenting in front of people I don't know in formal situations. That’s something I always find quite nerve wracking and something I'm really focusing on improving.

Aoife:
I have a tendency to hold back in unfamiliar situations, so I am going to be focussing on finding ways to contribute even when I'm not confident.

Helen:
I’m proud to be a public sector worker and the challenges that face local government every day are what make my job interesting. So, I’m hoping to put these experiences to the test.

Rebecca:
In my current role I apply a lot of different skills and techniques to support services, with transformation and innovation opportunities, so I’ll be able to apply those practical skills to the different challenges.

Harriet:
I regard myself as someone who works well under pressure. Therefore I think my leadership style will be calm. I'll be happy to delegate and also have a bit of fun too.

Amy:
I lead with a collaborative, supportive approach aiming to inspire by example and recognise the unique strengths each team member brings.

Adeel:
The future is about working together to achieve the best outcomes by respecting differing views.

Jess:
I consider myself to be quite a collaborative leader. I understand that I don't know everything, but there will absolutely be people around that table have the experience and the ideas.

Shohum:
As someone who enjoys listening to different ideas, different perspectives, I think my leadership style will be one of participation, and building by consensus.

Angelo:
This opportunity means a lot to me and I'm committed to using it to drive positive change and develop solutions that support communities. Once again, the Local Government Association, thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to the journey ahead.

Virginia:
Good luck to all the officers on our 2025 programme.

What is your current role?

I joined Waltham Forest Council in 2020 and have been fortunate to work in a variety of roles across the council. Most of my positions have been in corporate roles, where I’ve developed strong skills in collaborating strategically with stakeholders to find solutions that align with residents' needs.  

Currently, I lead the council’s prevention transformation programme, where we focus on supporting individuals through a strengths-based and relational approach at the earliest point possible. The programme, named Stronger Communities, aims to demonstrate the impact and benefits of preventive measures, both for residents and the sustainability of the local authority.

This role is both exciting and challenging, offering the opportunity to design and implement systems of support that involve teams from across the council. Our goal is to ensure the right support is available to the right people, increasing resilience and reducing the likelihood of residents falling into crisis

What motivated you to apply for LG Challenge 2025?

I applied for the LG Challenge because I am eager to test my strengths and develop areas that will help me become a more impactful, modern public servant.

Local government faces significant financial pressures due to funding constraints and increasing demand, making it essential to rethink how we deliver public services. I look forward to learning from the innovative work other councils are doing in response to these challenges and bringing those insights back to benefit the residents of Waltham Forest. 

What is your current role?

What is your current role?

Since May 2023, I have worked for Fareham Borough Council (FBC) as the Senior Auditor and Fraud Analyst, having spent the previous five years in audit primarily working in the technology sector.

As a Senior Auditor and Fraud Analyst my role is to provide independent assurance that the Council’s risk management, governance and internal control processes are operating effectively and to raise awareness of fraud to both internal stakeholders and local residents.

Where necessary, my role allows me to be impactful by building constructive relationships across all levels and directorates, challenge existing practices, championing innovative solutions and best practices as well as being a catalyst for positive change to help the Council meet its strategic objectives for the residents of Fareham.

What motivated you to apply for LG Challenge 2025?

I applied to the LG challenge as I see it as a great opportunity to help me develop my leadership and problem-solving skills, whilst helping me to build my confidence and push me out of my comfort zone to aid my personal, professional and leadership development.

Having joined local government in the last year, the LG challenge will be a great way to meet new people in the public sector and boost my knowledge of local government, in particular discovering innovative ways of dealing with challenges which can benefit Fareham Borough Council and the local community. 

What is your current role?

As a Business Analyst I identify and support the delivery of change initiatives that will deliver value across North Yorkshire Council. A key element of this is working with stakeholders to understand the problem at hand and using analysis techniques to understand solutions and associated impacts. North Yorkshire is a large council which serves a wide geographic and people demographic, so the analysis work I undertake varies from each piece of work.

I’ve been involved in key projects and programmes and the strategic development of North Yorkshire Council as a new authority following the Local Government Reorganisation. My role allows me to work with service areas and colleagues across the wider organisation, and I am passionate about ensuring change initiatives consider people at all stages. I think it is important we recognise people at the heart of the services we deliver and value both customers and the employees delivering them. 

What motivated you to apply for LG Challenge 2025?

LG Challenge is a unique opportunity to work with and learn from people across different authorities and services areas, and work collaboratively to address real issues affecting the public sector. Working for North Yorkshire Council, I am keen to understand practices within other authorities and ways of working that I could bring back to support the delivery of our Transformation agenda.

This is also a great opportunity to gain new experiences and skills that will support my professional development within the public sector. I look forward to learning from my cohort and furthering my knowledge and understandings.

What is your current role?

I’m currently the Cohesive Communities Manager in Havering and my remit is fairly broad. My team covers Prevent, Hate Crime, Health Engagement, Community Connections and Community Development. We actively support the Community Engagement Strategy 2024 - 2027 and are working to deliver a Giving Scheme in the borough to bring much needed funding to our Voluntary and Community Sector and to empower our residents to participate in their communities in an active way. I can also thankfully say, that in my job, no two days are the same!  

I started in Havering straight out of university as part of the National Graduate Development Programme and have had the pleasure of working across the authority in an array of different departments including Community Safety, Emergency Planning and Policy.  

What motivated you to apply for LG Challenge 2025?

As incredibly nerdy as it sounds, I love local government. The breadth of services we provide with the resources available can sometimes been nothing short of monumental. 

I’ve worked in the same authority my entire career and am conscious that sometimes I only see our challenges and seek to solve them through that lens. So, taking part in the Challenge would be an opportunity to tackle things head on, and will also give the opportunity to take that learning and new connections back with me.

What is your current role?

As the Registration and Nationality Service Manager for Surrey County Council (SCC), I lead a multi-disciplinary team responsible for delivering statutory and discretionary services, including the registration of births, deaths, and marriages, as well as citizenship ceremonies.

Overseeing a workforce of approximately 150 FTEs and managing a £4m revenue budget, I ensure the delivery of high-quality, accessible services while fostering innovation and continuous improvement. I hold the statutory role of Proper Officer, ensuring compliance with Public Protection and Counter Fraud requirements. With a focus on commercial opportunities, I drive income generation to support SCC's financial goals, bringing in the highest level of income for the council. 

I represent SCC at a national level, influencing policy and promoting best practices in registration services. I am a compassionate and inclusive leader believing in radical collaboration and quality that delivers the Council’s strategic vision, mission and values and ensures Surrey’s residents receive the best service through life’s major events.

What motivated you to apply for LG Challenge 2025?

I applied to the LG Challenge as it presents an exciting and ambitious step in my journey towards senior leadership within local government. The competition offers the chance to tackle real-life challenges across diverse services, pushing me beyond my comfort zone but also to give an opportunity to bring my unique perspectives and solutions.  

I’m eager to strengthen my political acumen and gain valuable insight into navigating officer and member relations. The LG Challenge is a unique opportunity to develop critical leadership skills, test innovative ideas, and contribute meaningfully to local government’s evolving landscape.

What is your current role?

I am currently a Senior Policy and Insights Officer at Basildon Borough Council, where my role focuses on managing our strategies, consultations and helping to shape policies that reflect both local priorities and government requirements. After starting my journey in the National Graduate Development Programme, I moved quickly into a permanent position and was later promoted to Senior Officer this year. 

During my time with the council, I’ve worked on projects such as developing our first Modern Slavery Statement and have introduced changes to our public consultation processes to help improve community engagement. I’m passionate about making sure that the public is informed and has a voice in the decisions that affect them. My aim is to foster collaboration, build trust with residents, and ensure that the policies we develop reflect their needs. 

What motivated you to apply for LG Challenge 2025?

I applied for the LG Challenge to further develop my leadership and innovation skills in a high-stakes environment. The opportunity to tackle real-life challenges across diverse councils excites me, as I believe it will enhance my ability to create impactful policies and empower communities. 

I am eager to learn from other local government leaders while contributing my insights from Basildon’s projects. Ultimately, the LG Challenge will help me drive meaningful change, refining my ability to lead, inspire, and transform challenges into opportunities for growth within my council and beyond.

What is your current role?

I work as a Regeneration and Place Officer, supporting a range of projects across the County to facilitate change, and reinvigorate and restore vibrancy to our town centres. This involves building new developments and bringing forgotten areas back to life, as well as seeking to improve the local economy, community facilities, and places for all who live, work, and spend time there. 

I really enjoy the opportunities this gives me to work in partnership with colleagues in local government and beyond, and I’m lucky to have a wide variety in my day-to-day tasks, from in-depth discussions on demolition needs, to writing communications, to organising graffiti workshops and town trails! With a background in education, I’m particularly motivated by a desire to create inclusive and child-friendly spaces, as well as promoting arts and culture as a way to connect with where we are and what we want our places to be. 

What motivated you to apply for LG Challenge 2025?

Firstly, I was inspired by the unique way the LG Challenge promised to develop my skills. Visiting other Councils and tackling shared issues with a team drawn from across the country is a fantastic opportunity to engage with new ways of thinking and learn from each other, as well as finding positive solutions to problems we all face. 

It offers the chance to meet like-minded people who share my desire to make a positive impact on our communities. Above all though, the Challenge seems like a fun way to gain experience and push myself out of my comfort zone!

What is your current role?

I manage the Insight Team at Telford and Wrekin Council, a team responsible for supporting the Council to make evidence-based decision making and a team that are passionate about the benefits that data, intelligence, and insight can make to an organisation.  We provide performance, business, and community intelligence to directorates to ensure services run efficiently and effectively and to understand the impact of policies and projects. 

We support a number of services, including Adult Social Care, Children’s Safeguarding and Early Help, Education and Skills, Supporting Families, Public Health, Housing Needs, Community Safety, as well as leading on Corporate performance monitoring and providing intelligence on the population and economy of the Borough.   

We strive to use innovative, creative and engaging ways to process, visualise and present data to help the organisation understand and get maximum benefit from the data we hold.

What motivated you to apply for LG Challenge 2025?

I’ve worked in Telford and Wrekin Council for most of my career and am proud to work for the organisation and to have had a career in public service.  

I applied for the LG Challenge as a unique opportunity to get an insight into the work of other councils, to push myself out of my comfort zone into new challenges, gain inspiration from seeing other leaders in action and experience situations that I wouldn’t encounter in my day-to-day role.  

What is your current role?

I applied to take part in the LG Challenge because it sounds like a unique and exciting opportunity to gain experience and acquire skills in areas of local government life that are not currently part of my day job. In my view, a good local government lawyer should be a “critical friend” to other local government officers and have a broad understanding not only of the law but also political and business awareness to provide solution-based advice. 

I consider that the LG Challenge will provide me with invaluable experience and heighten my political and business awareness, ultimately making me a better local government lawyer. I am particularly looking forward to meeting and sharing the experience with other local government officers, hone my problem-solving skills and increase my political awareness.