Meet The Leader – Details, episodes & analysis

For this latest episode of Meet the Leader, host Nick Kilby is joined by Jonathan Lester, Leader of Herefordshire Council.

During the conversation, Jonathan reflects on his journey into local government, including his return from Australia and his dedication to public service as both an elected member and council officer.

The episode explores his long-term vision for Herefordshire: driving economic growth and prosperity for all Herefordians, attracting greater investment, improving infrastructure, and addressing historic underinvestment in public transport and rail connectivity. Jonathan also discusses the council’s ambition to begin the first phase of the western bypass this year, alongside a wider focus on creating more opportunities for young people.

Nick and Jonathan also discuss the importance of making Herefordshire Council financially sustainable for the long term, ensuring it can continue to deliver high-quality, good-value services for residents while protecting the county’s environment.

It is an inspiring conversation about place, ambition and the importance of building a stronger, more sustainable future for Herefordshire.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For this latest episode of Meet the Leader, host Nick Kilby is joined by Councillor David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council.

During this conversation, Cllr Thomas talks to Nick about his remarkable journey from professional entertainer and musician to local government leader, reflecting on how he first became involved in politics, his early baptism of fire as Chair of Planning, and the lessons he has learned from more than a decade as group leader.

The episode also explores the realities of leadership in local government today, from managing political groups and rising public expectations, to the challenge of balancing immediate resident concerns with long-term place-making. Cllr Thomas shares his approach to building consensus, focusing on delivery, and ensuring that core services such as children’s services and adult social care are strong enough to support wider ambitions for Torbay.

Nick and David also discuss Torbay’s ambitious regeneration programme, including investment in town centres, Brixham Fish Market, Crossways in Paignton, and the council’s work to attract private sector partners and major new investment into the English Riviera.

It is an inspiring conversation about responsibility, resilience and what it takes to deliver real change for residents.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For this latest episode of Meet the Leader, host Nick Kilby is joined by Councillor Kam Rai, who became the new Leader of the London Borough of Redbridge back in July.

Cllr Rai had spent six years as Deputy Leader of the Council, and became Leader of the Council after then-leader Jas Athwal (who appeared in the inaugural episode of this series back in January 2023) became the new MP for Ilford South at the 2024 General Election.

In this conversation, Cllr Rai talks about his journey into local government and his vision for the borough. 

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For this latest episode of Meet the Leader, host Nick Kilby is joined by Councillor Petrina Lees, Leader of Uttlesford District Council.

Cllr Lees represents the Residents for Uttlesford group who have controlled the council since 2019, with her becoming the councils first female leader back in December 2021.

During this episode, Cllr Lees talks about her journey into local government which began at the parish level after a 30-year career in nursing. 

With a passion for community involvement, Cllr Lees works tirelessly for her local residents and is not afraid to challenge the norms. 

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this latest episode of Meet the Leader, host Nick Kilby is joined by the Leader of Milton Keynes Council, Councillor Peter Marland. 

Cllr Marland has been a part of the council for ten years having begun his career in finance, and in this episode he shares his journey into local government which led him to becoming Leader in 2014. 

In this conversation, Cllr Marland talks about the importance of long-term planning, the future of the city-region and the unexpected story around being issued letters patent when Milton Keynes was given city status in 2022. 

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In this latest episode of Meet the Leader, Nick Kilby is joined by Cllr Vikki Slade. 

Cllr Slade tells the story of how she first got involved in politics, from her entry to the council to her two terms as Leader as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. 

This conversation also explores the challenges of forming coalitions in 'No Overall Control' councils, which Cllr Slade did firstly with the Unity Alliance in 2020 and then with the Three Towns Alliance following the 2023 Local Elections.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For the latest episode of Meet the Leader, host Nick Kilby is joined by Jason Brock who recently stepped down as Leader of Reading Borough Council after a 5-year stint at the helm.

Jason's meteoric rise saw him go from by-election candidate to Leader of the Council in under three years, in a time that was dominated with difficult challenges such as financial woes and the Covid-19 pandemic.

In this episode,  Jason reflects on his journey into politics, his time as Leader and the future that lies ahead for him.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

The Meet the Leader podcast series returns for May, and Nick Kilby is joined by the Leader of South Cambs District Council, Councillor Bridget Smith.

Cllr Smith has led the authority since since 2018 and the District Councillor for the village of Gamlingay for the past 15 years.

During this conversation, Cllr Smith discusses her journey into local government and  the time spent as Leader so far, as well as the four day working week trial which has attracted so much attention from Westminster. 

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For this latest episode of Meet the Leader, Nick Kilby is joined by the Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Councillor Lucy Nethsingha. 

Cllr Nethsingha dives into the details of her storied journey in local government which has seen her serve at the Parish, City and County level, in addition to also being a former MEP. 

In this conversation, the pair also talk about the level of support in local government that exists for women and mothers, while also looking forward to Cllr Nethsingha's ambition the Cambridgeshire region. 

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

For this latest episode of Meet the Leader, Nick Kilby was joined by Councillor Elizabeth Campbell, who has led the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea since 2017. 

Cllr Campbell was elected as Leader in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower Fire,  and speaks about the impact that the tragedy has had on her experience as Leader, while looking at the legacy for Grenfell and the council as an organisation going forward.

Hosted by Cratus Group's Executive Chairman Nick Kilby, the Meet the Leader podcast is a space to learn about the leaders in local government, highlighting the tremendous work they do for the communities they serve. You can listen to the previous episodes ⁠⁠on Spotify here⁠ and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.