Last week, many of us enjoyed taking part in the Solace Summit, ‘Leading from the Front Line’, either remotely and/or in the welcoming city of Hull. It was a boost to meet so many colleagues from across the country for the first time in 18 months, and to hear numerous inspiring speakers in person and online.

The opening sessions on inspirational leadership and individual leadership perspectives as we recover from the pandemic were thought-provoking. Leaders are made, not born, we were told. In the face of adversity, leaders in local government had listened to their communities and harnessed the energy around them to collaborate, influence and persuade others to work at pace towards their shared vision for a better world. They had taken tough decisions, walked the walk, carried the can, and remained humble. They showed humanity rather than charisma and egotism.