Impact Session with Blake Morgan LLP & Oxfordshire County Council

Session No.6 Shaping the future together: Local Government Reform, Devolution and Business Engagement

Join us for an informative session on local government reorganisation and the exciting opportunities devolution brings. We will begin with networking and welcome by Blake Morgan Partner, Penny Rinta-Suksi, followed by an introduction and scene setting from Martin Reeves, Chief Executive of Oxfordshire County Council. Next, Helen Mitchell, Programme Director for Local Government Reorganisation, will share an update on all bids submitted from Oxfordshire to Government and explain what they mean for services, regulation, community engagement, and finance. Kim Sawyer, Programme Director for Devolution, will then explain the concept of devolution and explore its benefits for local decision making and the business community. The event will conclude with a practical session on how businesses can get involved, followed by an interactive Q and A and further networking to connect and collaborate.

Programme:

Welcome by Penny Rinta-Suksi, Partner at Blake Morgan

Introduction by Martin Reeves, recap from OBS 2025 session

Update on Local Government Reorganisation
A summary of all bids submitted to Government, including any feedback received. What does this mean for service delivery, potential new regulatory changes, community engagement, and financial implications? (10 mins)

What will Devolution look like?
A whistle stop tour on what devolution is, the Government agenda, where we are now and what will happen next, with examples of existing devolved authorities (10 mins)

Opportunities of Devolution
Exploring the benefits of Devolution and what this could mean for the business community in the region? (15 mins)

Business Involvement: A Call to Action
How can businesses get involved to accelerate the process and ensure their views and concerns are heard and represented? (15 mins)

Q&A (10 mins)

About the Speakers

Penny Rinta-Suksi, Partner at Blake Morgan

Penny is a commercial lawyer. She leads Blake Morgan’s Local Government England team with over 25 years’ experience in advising private sector clients, funders, public sector and third sector on major projects and commercial contracts.

She has strong experience in the leisure, culture and housing sectors and sound working knowledge of education, health, financial, manufacturing, telecoms, defence, waste, utilities and energy markets. Penny leads on combined housing, leisure, utilities, energy and civic infrastructure projects, working on innovative regeneration models to include joint venture vehicles and private sector partnering and contracting.

Kim Sawyer, Programme Director for Devolution at Oxfordshire County Council

Kim Sawyer is an experienced public sector leader with a strong background in governance, legal counsel, and strategic programme delivery. Currently serving as Programme Director for Devolution at Oxfordshire County Council, Kim leads complex initiatives that shape regional policy and drive collaborative transformation.

Previously, Kim held senior roles including Acting Chief Executive Officer at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Interim CEO at Havant Borough Council and Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer roles at Southend City Council and Peterborough City Council. Kim holds Postgraduate Diplomas in Legal Practice from the University of Hertfordshire and Systems Thinking from the Open University & a BA in English and German Literature from Swansea University. Recognised for expertise in legal advice and strategy, Kim brings a proven ability to deliver robust governance frameworks and lead high-impact programmes.

Helen Mitchell, Programme Director for Local Government Reorganisation at Oxfordshire County Council

Helen Mitchell is an experienced policy, strategy and governance leader currently serving as Programme Director for Local Government Reorganisation at Oxfordshire County Council.

With over 16 years of experience spanning local government, the NHS, the Civil Service, and the charity sector, Helen has built a reputation for driving change and improving governance. Prior to her current role, Helen held senior positions including Director of Corporate and Customer Services (Monitoring Officer) at Derbyshire Dales District Council and Senior Governance Consultant at the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny, where Helen advised multiple local authorities on governance improvement.

Helen is passionate about creating strong, connected communities and fostering collaboration between councils, institutions, and stakeholders. Alongside professional commitments, Helen also serves as Deputy Chair at Twycross Zoo, reflecting a commitment to conservation and the role of charities in modern society.

Martin Reeves, Chief Executive at Oxfordshire County Council

Martin has been Chief Executive of Oxfordshire County Council since March 2023. He was previously Chief Executive of Coventry City Council for over 14 years and was also the Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority from March 2016 to September 2017. He had previously been with Bedfordshire County Council for three and a half years as Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Executive.

Martin has held strategic leadership roles in a District and an outer London Borough and was Programme Director for Work Smart, Westminster City Council’s flagship transformation programme. Martin spent much of his early career as a lecturer and researcher and has a PhD in applied economics.

He has an Honorary Doctorate from Coventry University in recognition of his service and commitment to the City of Coventry and is the first Honorary President of LARIA (Local Area Research and Intelligence Association).

He is a former President of SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives & Senior Managers) and is the current Local Government Association (LGA) National Procurement Champion

Who can attend this event?

• Guests invited by our host and B4
• OBS2026 Sponsors – maximum of two tickets per Gold sponsor and one each for Silver and Bronze sponsors
• OBS2026 Ticketholders – access for named ticketholder only per Impact Session

If the above categories do not apply to you, you will need to purchase a ticket to the Oxfordshire Business Summit 2026 on 15th May 2026 which will also give you* access to all OBS2026 Impact Sessions. Please click on the link below to purchase your Oxfordshire Business Summit ticket/s and we will send you a code to register for this and the other Impact Sessions, but please note places are subject to availability.

*Access to OBS2026 Impact Sessions is only for the purchaser of OBS2026 tickets.

Oxfordshire Business Summit 2026 Tickets, Fri, May 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM | Eventbrite

This event is limited to 50 guests

Parking: Parking available in the Seacourt car park. There will be limited spaces available and any overfill will be required to park in the public car park. Please read all parking notices to avoid any parking fines.

Arrival Instructions: Please check in at reception

Refreshments of tea, coffee and pastries will be provided.