Kate Josephs CB
Chief Executive, Sheffield City CouncilKate Josephs CB joined Sheffield City Council as Chief Executive in January 2021, having spent 20 years in national government in the UK and United States.
Kate’s career as a senior leader in the UK civil service included positions in HM Treasury; the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit; the Department for Education and the Cabinet Office.
Kate also spent time in Washington D.C. working for the US Federal Government during the Obama Administration, including as Executive Director of the White House Performance Improvement Council.
Kate grew up and went to comprehensive school in Doncaster, was educated at Oxford University and the London School of Economics, and lives in Sheffield with her family.
My Speaker Sessions
Friday 27 November 2026
Rewiring the state: What it means for local government
Rewiring the State promises a major transfer of powers, resources and functions from central government to elected mayors and local authorities before 2029. It puts strategic authorities at the centre of delivering the Government's priorities, from good growth and council housebuilding to technical education and prevention. Many are still building the capacity to do it.
This session discusses what delivery looks like in practice. Where will new powers and funding make most difference? What capacity and skills will be needed? How will they work with constituent councils, No10 North and Whitehall to turn priorities into results.
