ADEPT celebrates 140 years of place based leadership
The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) has marked its 140th anniversary with the publication of an exclusive collection of essays, reflecting on the evolution of place leadership and exploring the challenges and innovations shaping the future of the sector.
The essays, titled Leading Places: essays from past, present and future ADEPT Presidents, was launched today at ADEPT's Autumn Conference at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester, where more than 200 delegates gathered to discuss devolution and local government reform - described as the biggest shake-up the sector has seen for 50 years.
The collection was launched on 19th November 2025, exactly 140 years to the day since the County Surveyors’ Society first met in 1885. Originally focused on road construction and maintenance, the Society became ADEPT in 2010, to reflect its broader role across environment, economy, planning and transport.
The essays feature contributions from past, present and future ADEPT Presidents, offering insights into this transformation - the collection explores today's complex, interconnected challenges facing place directors and corporate partners alike.
Today, ADEPT brings together directors from county, unitary, metropolitan and combined authorities, along with sub-national transport bodies and corporate partners. Collectively, ADEPT members provide services for more than 42 million people, manage 164,000 miles of road and handle around 75% of all recycled waste in England.
The essay collection forms part of a year of celebrations marking this significant milestone in the organisation's history. It showcases the breadth and depth of expertise within ADEPT membership, highlighting the vital role that place directors play in creating resilient, sustainable, inclusive and prosperous communities.
Angela Jones, ADEPT President, said: "For 140 years, ADEPT and its predecessor, the County Surveyors’ Society, have been at the forefront of place-based leadership, adapting to meet the changing needs of communities across England.
“This collection of essays celebrates that heritage, while looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead. As we face the biggest shake-up in local government for 50 years, with widening devolution and continued reform, the role of place directors has never been more critical."
The essays are available here.
Find out more about the anniversary here: ADEPT 140th anniversary.
