Elected members provide direction and oversee the work of the LGA. Governance structures are led by a senior group of members from each of the five political groups.
Councillor Eamonn O’Brien
Councillor Eamonn O’Brien was appointed leader of Bury Council in May 2020 and has represented the St Mary’s ward in Prestwich since 2014.
He holds the portfolio for Technical Education & Skills and Clean Air for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Within the Local Government Association, he is a regional member peer, and was elected Chair of the LGA on 7 July 2026.
Aside from his political appointments, Eamonn works at the head office of a national charity managing the office administration. He was educated at St Monica's RC High School in Prestwich and Holy Cross College in Bury. He gained a BA (History and Politics) and MA (History) from University of Manchester. He also set up the country’s first student-led food bank in central Manchester. [email protected]
Councillor Kevin Bentley – Conservative Group Leader and LGA Senior Vice-Chairman
Cllr Kevin Bentley was elected to Essex County Council in 2009 and appointed as the Deputy Cabinet Member to the Leader. Having served two years in this post he was promoted to the Cabinet in 2011 and appointed Deputy Leader to the Council 2013, where he led on Economic Growth and Infrastructure. He was elected Leader of the Council in May 2021.
Kevin is also a Colchester City Councillor and has previously been Leader of the Conservative Group in Colchester. He has served in the Colchester Cabinet holding the portfolio for Business, Tourism and Leisure. He has also stood for Parliament twice in Colchester. Kevin has been the Chairman of LGA People’s and Places Board, and led the Brexit negotiations on behalf of the LGA with Government.
Outside of politics Kevin is the Chairman of the awarding winning PR Digital and Marketing Agency, Mosaic Publicity and is a journalist by profession. Before leaving to set up Mosaic Publicity in 2000 he spent 20 years working for the BBC as a radio and television reporter and producer.
Councillor Bev Craig – Labour Group Leader and LGA Vice-Chair
Cllr Bev Craig became Leader of Manchester City Council on 1 December 2021. First elected in 2011 as a Burnage councillor, she held a range of responsibilities on Manchester City Council, including as Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, and Deputy Leader.
Since becoming Leader, her focus has been on Manchester’s ambitious plans to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy, increasing investment into neighbourhoods across the city, better outcomes for children and young people, tackling inequalities, building more housing and working to meet Manchester’s net zero ambitions.
Bev is Chair of Core Cities UK and in Greater Manchester she holds a range of responsibilities on behalf of the city, including leading on the Economy, Business, and International Portfolio for the Combined Authority.
Originally from Belfast, she moved to Manchester in 2003 for university. After graduating from the University of Manchester she began her career in Local Government, before working in higher education and then a national trade union leading on social care. Outside of politics she enjoys sports and being outdoors, music, culture and enjoying all that Manchester has to offer.
Councillor Bridget Smith – Leader of the LGA Liberal Democrat Group and South Cambridgeshire District Council
Bridget was born in Durham, has lived in Sierra Leone and relocated to Belfast during ‘The Troubles’. She read psychology at Durham University and her first job was at Manchester Royal Infirmary. She subsequently took a research position at the School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge. She remained at the University for postgraduate study going on to teach and eventually became Head of an Upper School.
Bridget took time out to be a full-time carer for one of her sons, during which time she published two books and established a successful community development charity.
Bridget entered politics in 2008 whilst running a consultancy specialising in environmentally sustainable community facilities. 2018 she became Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council and also sits on the boards of the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority, the LGA, Local Councils Network and the Cambridge Growth Company.
Bridget is currently the longest-serving female Liberal Democrat Council Leader, with extensive experience in transformation and governance; including leading the UK’s first public sector Four-Day Working Week trial. She is an LGA peer mentor, an experienced mediator, and a sought-after public speaker on local government reform, leadership, and innovation.
Councillor Hannah Dalton – Independent Group Leader and LGA Vice-Chair
Hannah has been a Residents’ Association councillor on Epsom and Ewell Borough Council since 2015 and became Leader in 2021. She is currently Chair of the Surrey Leaders Group as well as the Independent Vice Chair on the South England Councils Board.
Hannah is passionate about female empowerment and the need to increase female representation across all levels of politics. In her role as DCN spokesperson for homelessness and housing, Hannah wants to seek opportunities for local government to work with central government to find long term solutions.
Hannah has a career in Human Resources which has included a period living and working in Madrid, and she continues to work as an HR Director.
Outside of politics and work, Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, perusing cookbooks which she occasionally cooks from and adding to her vinyl collection.
Councillor Stephen Atkinson – Reform UK Group Leader and LGA Vice-Chairman
County Councillor Stephen Atkinson is the Leader of Lancashire County Council, and represents the division of Ribble Valley South West. He served as leader of Ribble Valley Borough Council from January 2019 until he stood down earlier this year.
Born in Lancashire, a self-trained engineer, he started his first business venture with his brother at the age of 21. Together they now run a Lancashire-based educational furniture business as well as invest in commercial and industrial properties in the area.
Councillor Atkinson is married with two sons and describes himself as a devoted family man. In his spare time, he has a great love for the outdoors, enjoying walking, skiing, motorcycling, and sailing.
The LGA's Office Holders
The Chair, Senior Vice-Chairman, Vice and Deputy Chairs of the Association are nominated annually by the four political groups, and approved by the LGA General Assembly. Together they form the LGA board. Under Article 21 of the LGA Articles of Association each group whose share of the weighted electorate exceeds five per cent of the total is entitled to one Vice-Chair. The larger groups are entitled to Deputy Chairs according to proportionality. The Chair of the Association is nominated by the largest group.
Executive Advisory Board Members
The LGA Executive Advisory Board comprises the members of the Leadership Board, the Chairs of the policy boards and representatives of Wales and the nine English regions. The County Councils Network (CCN), District Councils Network (DCN) and the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA) also have a non-voting place, along with the chair of Local Partnerships.
Board Lead Members
Each policy Board includes a Chair, Vice-Chair and two Deputy Chairs – one nominated by each group. Collectively these are known as ‘Lead Members' and they oversee delivery of the priorities in the LGA's Business Plan, particularly between Board meetings.
LGA President / Vice-Presidents
Every year the General Assembly elects a President of the Association. The four Groups also appoint a number of Vice-Presidents. The President and Vice-Presidents are parliamentary representatives from the House of Commons, House of Lords, and they represent and champion the interests of local government in Parliament.