This half-day seminar is provided annually, on a regional basis, on behalf of the National Association of Civic Officers, and is delivered by one of our training partners:
EXPERIENCE2INSPIRE LTD.
Our 2026 programme is now finalised and for the first time we are able to offer the event in all eight of the English regions and in London. All nine events will be in a three week period just after Annual Meetings. Full details of dates and venues are set out below, with information on how to book places.
Elections may mean that you do not yet know who your civic heads will be, so all of our session hosts will accept bookings without specific delegate names, which can be informed as little as 24 hours in advance. Please book early and secure the date in the civic diary, so that whoever is elected to office will be able to attend.
NORTHWEST – CHESTER – Wednesday 20 May 2026
Chester Town Hall
Northgate Street, Chester, Cheshire, England, CH1 2HJ.
£175 (+VAT) per Delegate
How to Book – Please register your interest by contacting Andrea Thwaite
Andrea.Thwaite@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or 01244 972283
YORKSHIRE & HUMBERSIDE – SHEFFIELD – Wednesday 27 May 2026
Lord Mayors Office, Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH
£150 (+VAT) per Delegate
How to Book – Please register your interest by contacting Stephen Burke
lordmayor@sheffield.gov.uk or 07719338726
LONDON – KENSINGTON & CHELSEA - Thursday 28 May 2026
Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London W8 7NX
£170* for the first place
£150* for a second place
£130* for a third place. * These fees are not liable for VAT
How to Book – Please register your interest by contacting Phil and Jackie O’Brien
jandpobrien@gmail.com 07539275911 or 07891295089
NORTH EAST – NEWCASTLE – Friday 29 May 2026
Maldron Hotel 17 Newgate street, Newcastle NE1 5RE
£170* for the first place
£150* for a second place
£130* for a third place. * These fees are not liable for VAT
How to Book – Please register your interest by contacting Phil and Jackie O’Brien
jandpobrien@gmail.com 07539275911 or 07891295089
SOUTHEAST – SEEMP/SPELTHORNE – Monday 2 June 2026
Spelthorne Borough Council, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 1XB
SEE members: £175 (+VAT) per delegate
Non-members: £210 (+ VAT) per delegate
There is a discount for booking 3 spaces
How to Book – Please register your interest by using the link below
https://www.seemp.co.uk/events/the-role-of-the-civic-head/
SOUTHWEST – WESTON-SUPER-MARE – Thursday 4 June 2026
Weston-Super-Mare Town Council, 32 Waterloo Street BS23 1LW
£155 (+VAT) per Delegate
How to Book – Please register your interest by contacting Rebecca Saunders
rebecca.saunders@wsm-tc.gov.uk or 01934 632567
WEST MIDLANDS – SANDWELL – Friday 5 June 2026
Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury B69 3DB
£160 (+VAT) per Delegate
How to Book – Please register your interest by contacting Trisha Newton
trisha_newton@sandwell.gov.uk or 07775 477243
EAST MIDLANDS – EMC/MELTON MOWBRAY – Monday 8 June 2026
Melton Borough Council, Parkside, Station Approach, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1GH
EMC Members: £185.00 + VAT (if 3 places booked, 3rd place is £92.50 + VAT)
EMC Associate Members: £220 + VAT
Non-EMC Members: £260 + VAT
How to Book – Please register your interest by using the link below
https://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/events/the-role-of-the-civic-head-589-436/
EAST OF ENGLAND - BRENTWOOD – Friday 12 June 2026
Brentwood Borough Council, Council Chamber, Town Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 8AY
£135 (+VAT) per Delegate
How to Book – Please register your interest by contacting Zoey Foakes
zoey.foakes@brentwood.gov.uk 01277312733 | Ext 2733
The seminar is led by:
-
Phil O’Brien
NACO Executive member and former Head of Democratic Services, with 42 years of experience supporting Civic Heads. -
Jackie O’Brien
Learning and development professional with 37 years of experience across the retail, transport, engineering, and local government sectors.
The programme is specifically designed for prospective and newly appointed Civic Heads, their Deputies, Mayoresses/Consorts, and Civic Support Officers. It provides an invaluable introduction to the duties, responsibilities, and traditions associated with civic office, as well as practical guidance on how to undertake these roles effectively.
By drawing upon both professional expertise and extensive first-hand experience, the seminar equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and practical guidance necessary to undertake civic duties with confidence, professionalism, and distinction.
The interactive session will explore:
- Expectations from a range of perspectives, including:
- yours as incoming Mayor/Chair
- the public’s and
- the Council’s
- Measures of success for your term of office
- Skills and Qualities of a great civic head
- Short introductory sessions on:
- Chairing Full Council
- Public Speaking
- Social Media
There will also be an opportunity for questions from delegates – those submitted in advance of the session and arising during the workshop.