EPIC AGM & Conference 2026
Free and open only to EPIC members.
Join us for the EPIC AGM and Conference on 8 October, bringing together members from across the UK to explore how environmental delivery can work effectively as local government systems continue to evolve.
This year’s conference, Making It Work: Environmental Delivery in Changing Local Government Systems, will look beyond the immediate debate around Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) to consider the wider changes taking place across local government, including devolution, new governance arrangements, changing responsibilities and different approaches to delivering environmental services.
While the Government has paused the current LGR process in England, the landscape of local government is continuing to change – and these changes have implications for environmental professionals and the delivery of environmental outcomes across the UK. The conference will provide an opportunity to share experiences, consider what these changes mean in practice, and explore how environmental services can be effectively supported through periods of organisational and institutional change.
The morning will begin with the EPIC AGM and Chair’s update from EPIC Chair Ruth Calderwood, followed by four talks exploring changing local government systems and environmental delivery. The session will conclude with a panel discussion bringing all speakers together to explore the challenges, opportunities and lessons for environmental professionals.
The afternoon will feature interactive sessions focused on discussion, learning and knowledge sharing between EPIC members. This will include a workshop reflecting on Noise Action Week 2026 and launching the 2027 campaign, followed by a session exploring EPIC’s implementation-minded policy making workstream and what it means for developing environmental policy that can work effectively in practice.
Breaks will be scheduled throughout the day, including a one-hour lunch break, providing further opportunities to connect with colleagues across the EPIC network.
Our Chair
James Langley, Cornwall Council
James is a member of the EPIC Committee and Group Leader in Environmental Protection at Cornwall Council.
Our speakers
Philip Glanville, UK100
Philip joined UK100 as Director of Advocacy and Engagement in January 2024, bringing over 17 years of experience of working in local and national government. Most recently he led politically on climate change, Net Zero and transport at London Councils and the Local Government Association. As the Mayor of Hackney, he unlocked award-winning work on regeneration, housing, active travel, clean air and the circular economy. He has extensive advocacy, engagement, campaigns and policy experience from both the political and third sectors.
Jonathan Pickering, CIEH
Jonathan Pickering is Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and is a policy lead for their work on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and English Devolution as well as on their Noise Pollution work. CIEH is the professional body of the Environmental Health Profession in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and a significant number of its over 7,000 members work for local authorities in England undergoing LGR. As part of this process, CIEH has reached out to its members and the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) working for councils in the 21 LGR areas and has had the privilege to meet with them to discuss how LGR is affecting them and what the challenges and opportunities of the restructures are for them their teams. Jonny has been involved in these discussions and advocacy as well as the development of LGR resources for members and EHPs usage during the LGR process. Previously Jonny worked for Marie Curie UK in their Research Management and Community Fundraising teams and holds a Bachelors Degree in Politics from the University of Exeter and a Masters Degree in Africa and International Development from the University of Edinburgh.
Laura D'Henin-Ivers, Hope for the Future
Laura D'Henin-Ivers is a Co-founder and CEO of Hope for the Future, the UK's only charity dedicated to helping people build constructive relationships with politicians to influence climate and nature policy. Over the past decade, she has helped develop an approach that has supported more than 25,000 people and hundreds of organisations to turn concern into influence. Laura is passionate about making politics more accessible, ensuring underrepresented voices are heard, and strengthening democracy through constructive engagement.
Nigel Kerr, Head of Protective Services, Fife Council
Nigel Kerr is Head of Protective Services at Fife Council, covering environmental health, trading standards and building standards.
He began his career in environmental health in 1990 and has specialised in pollution control and environmental protection since 1998. Alongside his professional role he has maintained a long-standing interest in the field, having served as a Trustee and Vice Chair of Environmental Protection UK and as a Trustee and Chair of Environmental Protection Scotland. He is now a member of the EPIC Committee.
Nigel has a particular interest in how the environmental health profession has changed across the decades, and in his Trustee role with Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland, he is keen to understand what public sector reform and changing local government systems mean for environmental health delivery on the ground in the future.
About EPIC
The Environmental Policy Implementation Community (EPIC) is a member-led, specialist interest group at the IES. The community works together to understand delivery challenges, support pracitioners and advocate for implementation-minded policy. Our members are local authority officers and others delivering action on air quality, climate change, nature recovery, contaminated land and noise pollution on the ground.
Membership of EPIC is free to all IES members, and all environmental professionals working in local authorities. You can register for membership here. EPIC members working in contaminated land in local authorities will also be able to join the National Contaminated Land Officers Group (NCLOG).
Banner image: Leeds UK - City Hall. Spring time cherry blossoms. Tupungato © Adobe Stock
