Leaders Group – January

Tuesday 13th January 2026 – 16:00 to 20:00

Pewterers Hall, Oat Ln, Barbican, London EC2V 7DE

Guest Speakers

Tim Passmore

Tim Passmore

Mayoral Candidate

Norfolk and Suffolk

Tim Passmore is the Conservative Party’s candidate for the newly proposed Mayor of Norfolk and Suffolk, standing to represent the region in a pivotal role as part of the government’s devolution agenda. With over a decade of experience as Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim brings a proven track record of public service, strong local leadership, and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing communities across East Anglia.

Caroline Topping

Caroline Topping

Mayoral Candidate

Norfolk and Suffolk

Caroline Topping, the Leader of East Suffolk District Council, district councillor & county councillor for Beccles, has been selected as the Green Party’s candidate for the Norfolk & Suffolk Mayoral election taking place in May 2026. The Green Party is campaigning to win this election.

Ben Dempsey

Ben Dempsey

Mayoral Candidate

Brighton and Sussex

Ben Dempsey grew up in Haywards Heath and has lived in Sussex for most of his life. He now works on UK nature restoration for a large wildlife organisation and has a PhD in nature conservation from the University of Sussex.

Carli Harper

Carli Harper

Mayoral Candidate

Norfolk and Suffolk

Carli is the Cabinet Member for Finance & Major Projects and has been a councillor in Norwich since 2024. Her responsibilities include the redevelopment of Anglia Square and East Norwich, the economy, business, transport infrastructure and the living wage.

Adam Fox

Mayoral Candidate

Greater Essex

I am an experienced community engagement, marketing, communications and fundraising professional.I have worked across political, public sector and charities including in Parliament, local government and a range of public health roles.

Dr Anna Collar

Mayoral Candidate

Hampshire and Solent

Green Party candidate for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Mayoral Elections 2026 and Associate Professor of Archaeology at University of Southampton.

Martin Webb

Mayoral Candidate

Brighton and Sussex

Martin Webb is not the sort of entrepreneur who fits neatly into a single box. Over the past three decades he has built and sold multimillion-pound businesses, volunteered thousands of hours as a police officer, mentored young people, and thrown himself into a range of charitable causes.

Guest Attendees

Will Garton

Director General, Levelling Up

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Donna Jones

Donna Jones

Police and Crime Commissioner

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

Cllr Louise McKinlay

Deputy Leader

Essex County Council

Cllr Martin Tod

Cllr Martin Tod

Mayoral Candidate

Hampshire and the Solent

Cllr Bella Sankey

Cllr Bella Sankey

Leader

Brighton and Hove Council

Cllr Lynn Williams

Cllr Lynn Williams MBE

Leader

Blackpool Council

Cllr Kay Mason-Billig

Cllr Kay Mason-Billig

Leader

Norfolk County Council

Tom Walker

Tom Walker

Executive Director

Essex County Council

Cllr Steve Pitt

Cllr Steve Pitt

Leader

Portsmouth City Council

Cllr Louise Gittins

Cllr Louise Gittins

Chair

Local Government Association

Cllr Dr Paul Harvey

Cllr Dr Paul Harvey

Leader

Basingstone and Deane

Cllr Nick Mannion

Leader

Cheshire East Council

Jess Asato MP

Chair

APPG for Coastal Communities

Caroline Compton-James

Deputy Chief Executive

SCAPE

Joanna Killian

Joanna Killian

Chief Executive

Local Government Association

Nik Hardy

Nik Hardy

Deputy Chief Executive and Devolution Lead

Cumberland Council

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