Join the AMO Monitoring Officers Conference 2026 for a focused and practical day exploring the key challenges and developments shaping the role. Bringing together Monitoring Officers, Deputy MOs and governance professionals from across the sector, the conference offers invaluable insights, shared learning, and opportunities to connect with colleagues. The conference is proudly sponsored by AMO’s partner, Bevan Brittan, supporting a relevant and high-quality programme.
Members of the Association of Monitoring Officers access free remote attendance for the day, as well as a discounted price for in person attendance. Email amo@llg.org.uk for more information.
The Association of Monitoring Officers is delighted to launch its first AMO Monitoring Officers Conference which will bring together Monitoring Officers, Deputies, and governance professionals for a well-timed and engaging day focused on the challenges and opportunities shaping the role. Taking place at ETC Venues, Monument in the heart of London, the conference offers a valuable opportunity to step back from day-to-day pressures and reflect on the changing governance landscape alongside colleagues from across the sector. The conference is proudly sponsored by AMO’s partner, Bevan Brittan, whose continued support helps ensure a high-quality and relevant programme for attendees.
Programme
The programme has been designed to address the key issues currently facing Monitoring Officers, including the impact of political change, increasing caseloads, and the continued transformation of local government structures. Sessions will explore the role of the Monitoring Officer within emerging unitary authorities, as well as the practical considerations involved in transitioning to new governance arrangements. There will also be a focus on recruitment in a post-local government reorganisation environment, offering insight into how authorities can attract and retain strong governance leadership.
In addition, the conference will cover important legislative and strategic developments, including the implications of the Employment Rights Act for statutory roles and a dedicated case law update to highlight recent legal decisions influencing practice. Emerging and forward-looking topics, such as AI governance and the direction of strategic authorities, will also be explored, ensuring the agenda remains relevant and responsive to change.
The day will include time for networking and informal discussion, recognising the importance of peer support in what is an increasingly demanding role. Speakers will be confirmed as the programme develops, with additional relevant topics added to reflect the latest developments across the sector. This ensures the conference remains current, practical, and aligned with the needs of Monitoring Officers across England and Wales.
Draft programme will become available in the coming weeks.
In person attendance
For those attending in person there will be a supplementary programme running throughout the day which will be a mix of round table, safe space and discovery sessions. Places to attend these sessions will be limited and delegates will prebook their attendance for these.
Location
The conference will take place at ETC Venues, Monument, centrally located in the City of London and easily accessible by both rail and Underground. The venue is just a short walk from several mainline stations, including London Bridge (approximately 10 minutes), Fenchurch Street (7 minutes), and Cannon Street (8 minutes). For those travelling via the Underground, Monument station is only a 2-minute walk away, with Bank station just 6 minutes on foot and London Bridge station around 10 minutes away. This excellent connectivity makes the venue convenient for delegates travelling from across London and further afield.
Accommodation
A range of accommodation options are available within easy reach of the venue for delegates who wish to stay nearby, with many hotels located within walking distance of Monument and the surrounding City of London area. Delegates are encouraged to make their own arrangements directly with their preferred hotel.
Dietary requirements
Dietary requirements will be requested and confirmed with all delegates closer to the time of the conference to ensure appropriate catering arrangements can be made.
Bookings
To secure your place, simply click the ‘Book Now’ button and follow the registration process. All AMO members are entitled to attend the conference remotely free of charge using the discount code that has been shared with you. Fees apply for in-person attendance. Details of all other attendance options and associated fees can be found via the booking page once you click ‘Book Now’.
Our speaker line-up will bring together experienced practitioners and sector experts to share practical insights and real-world perspectives on the challenges facing Monitoring Officers today. Speakers will be confirmed as the programme develops, with additional voices and topics added to ensure the content remains timely, relevant, and valuable.
Beth is a recognised expert in local authority governance and decision-making, having worked in this field for over 40 years. She was an in-house lawyer for nearly 20 years, at four different councils in England, culminating in roles as a County Solicitor and a Director of Corporate Services in a unitary authority.
Beth led the Welsh Local Government Agency responsible for improvement and development in the 22 unitary councils in Wales for three years from 1998.
In 2001 Beth moved to a role as a partner with Bevan Brittan LLP, a leading national law firm, where she led the local government team for 17 years, for 4 years of which she was Senior Partner of the firm. The firm has, for many years, been ranked Band One legal advisors for local authorities.
Legal 500 rankings 2017 – UK Local Government Law
Bethan Evans is the “undisputed leader in the field”
In 2016, Beth left her legal role and set up her current business (GOVTC Ltd) as an independent governance trainer and advisor. She is an experienced and highly regarded practitioner in this field. She specialises in member and officer development for local authorities and her team also investigates code of conduct complaints. Beth has a wealth of practical experience which enables her to bring these insights to her training. She delivers training on topics such as standards of conduct, effective scrutiny, chairing skills, member/officer relation, social media for members, LGR, effective speaking as a councillor and pre-election readiness for officers.
Beth has provided sessions for over 130 councils over the last 8 years, including county councils, unitary councils, London boroughs, combined authorities, districts, and parishes.
Beth works extensively with LLG and AMO on their programme of governance related sessions and on training for Monitoring Officers. Beth is also an LGA Associate.
Becky Walsh is a counsellor, coach and communications specialist with nearly a decade of experience working inside and training UK town and parish councils.
She specialises in the human dynamics of governance. How behaviour, pressure and communication shape culture, decision-making and public trust.
Becky has delivered national training on civility and respect for the Society of Local Council Clerks and has worked with councils, officers and legal professionals across the UK to support healthier, more effective working relationships.
Her work combines psychology, neuroscience and real-world governance experience.
She is also a performer and comedian, known for using humour to reduce defensiveness and make complex behavioural concepts accessible, practical and memorable.
Becky is the founder of Council Culture, a training and development platform focused on strengthening standards, communication and culture in local government.
Catherine is a researcher and consultant, supporting strong leadership and good governance in local government. She is a director of Darlingburn Ltd, a specialist consultancy supporting organisations to strengthen governance. She also works with Grant Thornton UK LLP, as an independent expert, focusing on governance and value for money. As the Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV) at the University of Birmingham from 2011 to 2018, she focused her teaching and research on leadership, governance and user and citizen engagement. From 2005 to 2011, Catherine was a Director, leading the Organisational Development team, at the Office for Public Management (OPM), a not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to improving public services. Catherine was an Assistant Director, User Focus and Deputy Head of Policy at the Audit Commission from 2001- 2005.
Nick has been the Charity’s CEO since 2019. Prior to joining, he had many years’ experience leading other organisations including three charities working in the legal sphere. As a result, he has a deep understanding of the lives, stresses and strains of solicitors and the different organisations and sectors in which they work.
The Solicitors’ Charity has a sole focus on supporting solicitors, retired solicitors, and their dependants in England and Wales. For 168 years, it’s been a confidential safety net for people facing life’s pressures, inside and outside of work. It provides practical support across four pillars of wellbeing: emotional, physical, professional, and financial.
Under Nick’s leadership, the Charity has developed to provide a wide range of impactful wellbeing support to solicitors in need, support that helps many individuals return to living independent and self-sustaining lives. For others the support is ongoing, sometimes lifelong. The Solicitors' Charity - Supporting the wellbeing of solicitors.
Philip joined Bevan Brittan in 2022, following a successful career in local government which began in 1988. He is a past president for ACSeS/LLG, for whom he led on a number of practice areas and produced a number of codes and best practice protocols. This includes, as Bevan Brittan, drafting the Code of Practice on Good Governance for Local Authority Statutory Officers for LLG, CIPFA and Solace.
Philip advises extensively on local authority decision making, constitutional issues and monitoring officer matters. He is the current author of Knowles on Local Authority Meetings and is an editorial consultant and author on local authority governance.
8 Eastcheap, London, EC3M 1 AE
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09:30 - 17:00
ETC Venues, Monument, London 8 Eastcheap, London, EC3M 1 AE
