In this latest episode of Meet the Leader, host Nick Kilby is joined by the Leader of Milton Keynes Council, Councillor Peter Marland. 

Cllr Marland has been a part of the council for ten years having begun his career in finance, and in this episode he shares his journey into local government which led him to becoming Leader in 2014. 

In this conversation, Cllr Marland talks about the importance of long-term planning, the future of the city-region and the unexpected story around being issued letters patent when Milton Keynes was given city status in 2022. 

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this latest episode of Meet the Leader, Nick Kilby is joined by Cllr Vikki Slade. 

Cllr Slade tells the story of how she first got involved in politics, from her entry to the council to her two terms as Leader as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. 

This conversation also explores the challenges of forming coalitions in 'No Overall Control' councils, which Cllr Slade did firstly with the Unity Alliance in 2020 and then with the Three Towns Alliance following the 2023 Local Elections.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For the latest episode of Meet the Leader, host Nick Kilby is joined by Jason Brock who recently stepped down as Leader of Reading Borough Council after a 5-year stint at the helm.

Jason's meteoric rise saw him go from by-election candidate to Leader of the Council in under three years, in a time that was dominated with difficult challenges such as financial woes and the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this episode,  Jason reflects on his journey into politics, his time as Leader and the future that lies ahead for him.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

The Meet the Leader podcast series returns for May, and Nick Kilby is joined by the Leader of South Cambs District Council, Councillor Bridget Smith.

Cllr Smith has led the authority since since 2018 and the District Councillor for the village of Gamlingay for the past 15 years.

During this conversation, Cllr Smith discusses her journey into local government and  the time spent as Leader so far, as well as the four day working week trial which has attracted so much attention from Westminster. 

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For this latest episode of Meet the Leader, Nick Kilby is joined by the Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Councillor Lucy Nethsingha. 

Cllr Nethsingha dives into the details of her storied journey in local government which has seen her serve at the Parish, City and County level, in addition to also being a former MEP. 

In this conversation, the pair also talk about the level of support in local government that exists for women and mothers, while also looking forward to Cllr Nethsingha's ambition the Cambridgeshire region. 

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For this latest episode of Meet the Leader, Nick Kilby was joined by Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, who has led the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea since 2017. 

Cllr Campbell was elected as Leader in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower Fire,  and speaks about the impact that the tragedy has had on her experience as Leader, while looking at the legacy for Grenfell and the council as an organisation going forward.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

No two councils in this country are the same, and that is especially true when considering Epsom and Ewell Borough Council. Since its inception in 1937, the local authority has been controlled by Residents Associations - and is currently one of two RA controlled councils in the entire country, along with Uttlesford. 

The majority group of the Residents Associations of Epsom and Ewell has been chaired by Councillor Hannah Dalton since May 2021, and for this episode of Meet the Leader, Cllr Dalton sat down with host Nick Kilby.

During this episode, the pair discuss the unique political setup that exists within Epsom and Ewell, alongside the dynamics of this independent grouping of councillors who have had majority control over the local authority for almost 90 years. 

Hosted by Cratus Group CEO Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

Last year, Nick Kilby began the 'Meet the Leader' series as a way to showcase the leaders in local government and spoke to 12 leaders from local authorities across the country. The series is entering into its sophomore year and we begin with our first special guest of 2024, Cllr Grace Williams from the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

During this conversation, Cllr Williams recounts her journey into local government which began back in 2016 and saw her become Leader of the Council in 2021 following a career in education and working within the local community.

Hosted by Cratus CEO Nick Kilby, The Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For the final episode of 2023, we round of the debut year of Meet the Leader as host Nick Kilby (Cratus Group) recounts his top five moments of the series so far that has seen him interview a broad slate of council leaders from across the country.

Special thanks to all our guests who have appeared in 2023 for sharing their stories and allowing us to highlight the quality leadership that exists in local government. We look forward to another year of episodes in 2024.

Hosted by Cratus CEO Nick Kilby, The Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For the penultimate episode of Meet the Leader in 2023, Councillor Ruth Dombey joins Nick Kilby to talk about her fascinating route into local government, which all began with some Italian wine.

Cllr Dombey first became a councillor back in 2002 and has led Sutton since 2012, making her the second longest-serving council leader in London.

Hosted by Cratus CEO Nick Kilby, The Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠here⁠.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.