At our recent conference, we were honoured to welcome Ian Thomas CBE as our keynote speaker. A former student of Newfield School, Ian has forged an inspiring career in public service, rising to become the Chief Executive of the City of London Corporation.

Ian shared his personal journey, reflecting on his time at school, where his passion for football took precedence over academics. Despite leaving with just three O-levels, he later pursued higher education while working, achieving qualifications up to master’s level. 

He shared insights from his career in children’s services and local government, including his work with colleagues, partners local stakeholders and victims and survivors to tackle child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, delivering award-winning services in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and his current role which carries with it 1,000 years of history, whilst promoting financial and professional services - the engine of the UK economy.

His leadership in children’s services led to his appointment as CEO of Lewisham Council, then Kingston upon Thames, and now the historic role of Town Clerk and Chief Executive of the City of London Corporation—an office that dates back 750 years. In recognition of his contributions, Ian was awarded a CBE in 2019.

During his keynote, Ian encouraged us to embrace the concept of “perfect imperfection,” highlighting that mistakes are essential learning opportunities. He also spoke about psychological safety in the workplace, the importance of high aspirations for every child, and the value of coaching as a tool for continuous professional development.

It was a privilege to hear from Ian, whose journey from a Sheffield schoolboy to a national leader is a testament to the power of perseverance and ambition.