Co-operation Ireland’s All-Island Local Authority Forum was proud to support the Annual Joint SOLACE NI / CCMA Leadership Seminar 2025, where senior leaders from across local government gathered for the launch of the IPA Leadership Programme, a collaboration facilitated in 2025 by the Forum.
We were delighted to hear insights from an outstanding panel of speakers to the offices of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), Dublin – including Graham Doyle, Secretary General at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Kildare County Council; Gerard Murray, Director of Local Government & Housing Regulation Division, Department for Communities; Alison McCullagh, Chief Executive of Fermanagh & Omagh District Council; Dr. Cedric Chau, Director of Senior Public Service at the Institute of Public Administration; and Ade McCormack, leadership strategist and Associate of the Møller Institute, University of Cambridge.
This seminar forms part of Co-operation Ireland’s Local Authority Programme, which brings senior public service leaders together across jurisdictions to strengthen collaboration, build capacity, and support strategic learning between councils North and South.
Through shared dialogue, seminars, and joint development opportunities, the programme is helping shape more connected, resilient, and innovative local government.
Co-operation Ireland is proud to continue building relationships and shared understanding across the island, supporting those leading change in their communities.