Chaired by Matt Deegan, The Media Club Podcast host

After helping establish DAB Digital Radio in the UK, Adam and Gregory Watson founded Folder Media, an audio incubator. Their company, MuxCo, operates several digital radio multiplexes and manages others for News UK and Nation Broadcasting. They also run Fun Kids, a national children's radio station and podcast network, nominated as UK Station of the Year at the ARIAS for three consecutive years. Folder Media has created radio and podcasts for major UK broadcasters.

Matt co-founded the British Podcast Awards with Matt Hill, later expanding to Ireland and Australia, and sold the business to Haymarket in 2022. They then formed Podcast Discovery, a podcast marketing agency with clients like Sky News, the Daily Mail, and BAFTA.

Matt hosts The Media Club podcast, writes a newsletter about the audio sector, and lives in Welwyn, Hertfordshire with his wife Annabel. He is also a governor of St. John's School, Digswell.

Michael Wood, Head of Health Economic Partnerships, NHS Confederation

This is a role Michael himself created, seeking to support NHS leaders to understand and engage with the social and economic development landscape that is rapidly changing the governance of England. Michael is a respected national leader in this space and routinely publishes briefings and thought leadership, presents on policy developments, represents the service, and advises a range of systems, organisations and individuals on how to develop and deliver impactful strategy. 

Previously, Michael worked for the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the NHS European Office, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and for a Member of the European Parliament in Brussels. Michael also recently advised NHS London for over three years, helping set up an NHS Anchor Network, and currently advises a London ICB on strategy, as well as holding positions on the National Civic University Advisory Panel, AccessHE and the Midlands Engine Health, Care and Life Sciences Board. He is a Visiting Fellow of the University of Staffordshire. Follow him at @NHSLocalGrowth. 

Claire Dicks, UK Lead Entity & Head of Community Engagement, MBDA UK Ltd

Claire began her career in Defence and the Public Sector in 2000 at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Defence Estates East, following a background in banking with Barclays Bank PLC. In 2009, she moved to the Department for Education as Assistant Director (Procurement Technology Delivery) within the Commercial Group e-enablement. Her expertise in managing change and collaborating with central Government paved the way for her next role at MBDA Missile Systems in 2011. 

In 2016, Claire was appointed Chief of Staff to the Deputy MD UK & Portfolio Programme Director. She managed the prioritisation of strategic projects and engaged with Local Authorities to support industrial policy and economic growth initiatives. With the rise of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements, Claire developed a new role as Head of Community Engagement and UK Legal Entity. In this role, she drove regional growth initiatives with external strategic partners and led social value initiatives through donations and sponsorships.

Sarah Perman, Director of Public Health, Hertfordshire County Council

Sarah is the principal adviser on health to elected members and officers in the Council. Her statutory role involves working with organisations across Hertfordshire to improve the health of the local population and to reduce health inequalities, planning for and responding to emergencies that create a risk to public health, and commissioning preventative and clinical services to improve health.  

Previously Sarah was Director of Health and Care Integration for Hertfordshire County Council, providing strategic coordination for the Council’s involvement in the local Integrated Care System. Sarah has held senior posts across the NHS, local government, and public health, working in both strategic and commissioning roles in the UK and overseas. Sarah is a Consultant in Public Health and a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health and is also an educational supervisor for public health registrars.  

Tilini Sharland, Jobcentre Plus Service Leader, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire District

Taking up the role in September 2024 having previously been Head of Rapid Response at the Department for Education, Tilini has been a civil servant for over 19 years and has a cross-government perspective having worked in five central Government Departments including Home Office, Government Legal Department, Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government and Dept for Food Environment Rural Affairs. 

Tilini lives in the district and in her spare time has previously been involved in the charity sector in the district and is passionate about partnership working and having a joint impact on people’s lives.

Cllr Richard Roberts, Leader, Hertfordshire County Council

Richard was first elected to the County Council in 2003 as the member for Kings Langley and has previously served as the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Cabinet Member for Partnerships and Performance. He is Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board and became Leader of the Council in May 2021.

Richard is a Trustee of Community Action Dacorum.