The LGA’s flagship competition is launching for 2026
Each year, the Local Government (LG) Challenge takes 10 talented officers and puts them through five real-life challenges hosted by councils across the country – culminating in a final event at the LGA’s annual conference in July.
The competition pushes participants out of their comfort zones, encouraging fresh ideas and collaborative problem-solving on issues that councils face every day.
It also builds a strong peer network and hones the skills needed to lead in a rapidly changing sector. Participants gain exposure to different service areas, leadership styles and organisational cultures, while tackling complex issues that matter to communities.
The competition is designed to stretch thinking, build resilience and foster collaboration across boundaries.
For many of the contestants, LG Challenge is a chance to step outside of their day-to-day roles and see local government from a national perspective, developing insights and networks that last well beyond the programme.
As well as being a competition, LG Challenge is a unique learning experience for all involved, reflecting the sector’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.
By bringing together diverse perspectives and encouraging bold ideas, the programme helps shape future leaders who can navigate uncertainty, embrace change and deliver better outcomes for residents. The aim is to foster learning, sharing and inspiring progress across local government.
Four finalists will emerge from the council-based challenges running from January to June. They will then pitch their own project proposals to delegates and a judging panel at the LGA’s annual conference in Bournemouth, from 7-9 July 2026.
They will be competing for the prestigious Bruce-Lockhart Scholarship, which enables the winner to deliver their proposal back at their home council.
The scholarship has been supported by Essex County Council since the inception of the LG Challenge in 2009, in memory of Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, a former Chairman of the LGA.
The 2026 LG Challenge contestants
Aaron Clarke
Democratic Services Officer, South Cambridgeshire District Council
I applied to take part in the LG Challenge because it sounded like a unique and exciting opportunity to gain experience and acquire skills in areas that I am not familiar with. I enjoy challenging myself, and this is a great chance to connect with fellow officers with different backgrounds, representing different areas of the country.
Karl Falconer
Project Manager, Cumberland Council
The opportunity to test yourself, experience a wealth of different practices and council experiences, and to collaborate with a range of inspiring colleagues was a significant motivator. The challenges of our daily roles become routine all too easily, so the opportunity to radically explore and develop my skills, knowledge and beliefs – and to bring that back to my current workplace – is hugely exciting and pretty unique.
Harrison Giles
Senior Analyst, Norfolk County Council
I applied for the LG Challenge because it offers an amazing opportunity for me to not only develop my own skill set, but also to observe working practices at other local authorities across the country – enabling me to share these experiences with my colleagues to support continued development in Norfolk.
Claire Goldsworthy
Training Officer, Cornwall Council
I applied for this challenge because I want to expand my current skill set and learn things that will help me continue to advance my career. This programme will present challenges and opportunities that I would not encounter in my current role. I also wanted the chance to work with others, from different local areas, to get a better sense of the issues and challenges that affect local government nationally.
Tara Hudson
Digital Communications Lead, London Borough of Lewisham
I applied to the LG Challenge because I believe in the power of councils to change lives. In my role as a communicator, I see how local services help people reach their full potential. I want to go beyond influencing and communicating, and learn how we deliver frontline service improvements and transformation.
Nadia Hussain
Area Coordinator, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
I’m passionate about finding innovative, practical solutions that make a real difference in communities. Being part of a diverse team of professionals offers the chance to learn from others, broaden perspectives and strengthen my leadership skills. I’m eager to transform challenges into opportunities, using fresh insights and strategic thinking to drive change.
Shannon Kennedy
Community Safety Officer, Wirral Council
I applied to the programme to build on my career experience, and to engage with challenges that foster creative thinking and innovative problem-solving. Having spent my entire career within one local authority, I am keen to explore new approaches and working methods that I can bring back to enhance my current role.
Victoria Lewis
Strategy and Performance Officer, Bolton Council
In an era of increased financial constraint, I believe the breadth of experience across our sector is an under-used asset that can help drive local government forwards. Through this challenge, I am keen to share and learn new ideas and best practice from other councils across the country.
N’jaindeh Lungoci
Project and Service Improvement Officer, London Borough of Hackney
The LG Challenge will stretch me beyond my current role and studies, building the confidence, insight, skills and new connections needed to influence meaningful change. The prospect of contributing to innovation across councils nationwide genuinely excites me. I naturally look for solutions to problems and want to challenge myself further through this experience.
Eden Singh
Principal Tenant Engagement Officer, Fareham Borough Council
The LG Challenge offers a unique opportunity to strengthen my skills by navigating real-life, high-pressure scenarios and tackling complex challenges beyond my usual remit. It will expose me to new service areas, broadening my understanding of local government and enhancing my ability to lead across diverse contexts.
- Follow the LG Challenge journey on the LGA’s YouTube channel.