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We are celebrating ADEPT's 140th anniversary year by showcasing the voices of past and present Presidents, reflecting on the evolution of place leadership and exploring the challenges, innovations and aspirations shaping the future of the sector. We'll be publishing one essay a month over the anniversary year. 

The first in the series is from Angela Jones, President of ADEPT and Director of Thriving Places at Westmorland and Furness Council.

At 3pm on 19th November 1885, eleven county surveyors gathered at the Town Hall on Caxton Street, Westminster to establish what would become the County Surveyors’ Society. When those eleven men sat around the table that afternoon, they could have had little idea of what was to follow. 

From that modest beginning, the Society evolved from a focus on road construction and maintenance into ADEPT - a modern organisation serving local authorities across the entire place sector. Over the past 140 years, ADEPT has become an authoritative voice, influencing national policy and providing insight into funding and policy developments for both local and national government. 

As ADEPT marks this milestone anniversary, we invited past Presidents - and two future Presidents - to reflect on what place and place leadership truly mean. This collection of essays takes you on a journey through time, looking back at how our profession has evolved, examining the pressing issues we face today, exploring ADEPT’s core themes and imagining the future we want to create. 

Each President brings their unique perspective, shaped by the challenges and opportunities of their era. But running through all these reflections, you’ll find common threads: a deep commitment to communities, a belief in the power of collaboration and a shared understanding that place is about far more than physical infrastructure. 

As ADEPT’s current President, it feels right for me to begin by asking a fundamental question: what is place, really? 

For me, ‘place’ represents a sense of belonging and identity. My perspectives on ‘place’ are rooted from my upbringing in Millom, a small coastal town in the southern part of Cumbria at the edge of the Lake District. It’s not just the physical environment that make a place - it’s the people, relationships and strength in the community that give a place its identity. 

Professionally, this translates to my role in shaping places, developing policies and initiatives that strengthen communities, balancing economic development, heritage and environmental sustainability. 

Over the years, ADEPT has mirrored this approach, expanding from its roots in road construction and maintenance to an organisation leading on place based leadership across environment, economy, planning and transport. 

Why identity and community resilience matter 

One of my proudest moments was working with the community leading recovery efforts after Storm Desmond in 2015, when severe flooding devastated Cumbria, flooding homes, businesses and damaging bridges and critical infrastructure. My experience in place leadership was shaped by this emergency, both in the response and recovery. My role was leading community recovery efforts, ensuring recovery addressed both the physical damage and the wellbeing of community. 

This flooding event reinforced my belief and values that effective place leadership requires a holistic approach, balancing the social, economic and environmental benefits. What made me proud was the way communities came together, looked after each other, rebuilt, and recovered. It was truly inspiring. 

Resilience, both environmental and social, lies at the heart of place leadership - it’s about preparing for the unexpected and ensuring that the choices we make today create the conditions for future generations to thrive. 

Balancing governance and lived experience 

One of the biggest challenges local authorities face is leading long-term strategic change and ambition, while ensuring day-to-day services and projects are delivered effectively. Constrained budgets, competing priorities, lack of public trust and complex place relationships can create tension between strategic and political ambitions and operational reality. 

The way I try to approach this challenge is to keep hold of the long-term vision, and celebrate success when delivering the practical milestones. Strong collaboration and partnership working can help gain trust and credibility with public, elected officials and partners. 

In addition, success in place leadership is not simply measured in KPIs, targets or completing projects. It’s measured in lived experience of our workforce, residents, communities, businesses and partners. 

At its best, place leadership connects governance and lived experience, translating policy into action that people can see, feel, and trust. 

The future of place 

Looking back over 140 years, the decisions and values of our ancestors have shaped the places we live in today. Our responsibility now is to act as good ancestors ourselves, making decisions grounded in integrity, equity and sustainability so that future generations, communities and the environment can continue to thrive. 

My advice to the next generation of place leaders is this: there will always be a crisis, funding pressures, and political and policy changes - these are constant and adaptability is key. Embrace change and innovation. Be prepared to make mistakes - engender a culture where calculated risks and change for good are supported and setbacks are reframed as opportunities to innovate. Be proud of what you do and celebrate success. 

Looking ahead 

So, what is place, really? It’s where people belong, where communities thrive and where our decisions today shape the lives of generations to come. 

Each month you’ll hear from Presidents who have led ADEPT through times of transformation - from local government reorganisation to climate emergencies, from austerity to innovation. Each brings wisdom earned through experience, and together, these voices create a powerful testament to the enduring importance of place leadership. 

As you read these blogs, I hope you’ll be inspired by the dedication, resilience and vision of those who have shaped our profession. And I hope you’ll join us in making the case for people and place - not just as a theme, but as a strategic mindset and call to action for our sector.

Further information

• Read the full collection of essays.
• Find out more about our 140th anniversary here.

Author

• Angela Jones, President of ADEPT and Director of Thriving Places at Westmorland and Furness Council.