Appointed in 2017.

Born and brought up in Essex, after a 32 year public service career in defence and security, Nick joined an investment bank becoming the firm’s global head of security. In 2012 he was elected the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex. He chairs a policing research institute at Anglia Ruskin University and since 2011 has been a non-executive director of a number of local and national public sector bodies. In November 2018 Nick was appointed Chair of Trustees of the Essex Community Foundation.

Appointed in 2022.

Born and brought up in Cambridge, Charles’ early introduction to Essex was back in the 1970s when he was employed as the estate manager of two farms owned by Cambridge University, one being Osea Island and the other was on the mainland at Steeple. Following redundancy, he worked on Canvey Island and at Dagenham for one of the few independent oil storage depots involved in the bulk deliveries by sea of all manner of liquids from aviation fuel to illipe oil. From this he went on to build his own consultancy firm advising companies on compliance management. One of his lifelong passions is sailing and over 35 years ago he was introduced to a local charity the Cirdan Sailing Trust. An enthusiastic believer in their work, the Trust provides sailing adventures for the young disadvantaged, he remains a trustee. In the days when there was a CG station at Bradwell, he was a volunteer Coastguard (IC) getting involved in many maritime rescues requiring the assistance of the RNLI and Air Sea Rescue as it was in those days. Married to Philippa for over 43 years, they have 4 grown children and have lived near Steeple for most of those years. He looks forward to supporting the work of the Lieutenancy with his knowledge of small businesses, farming, sailing, charities and introducing others to the delights of Essex.

Appointed in 2021.

Keith’s executive career has been focused on the technology sector, working with some of the UK’s most well-known electronics companies including GEC, Plessey and Marconi. He became CEO of e2v technologies plc, a global electronics company, in 1998 having previously worked at director level within the telecommunications, defence and aerospace sectors. Keith has served on a number of institutions in a non-executive capacity, including the Confederation of British Industry where he was appointed Chair of its East of England Regional Council from 2004-2008 and as Chair of its Employment and Skills Board from 2010-2015. Keith acted as an Independent Advisor to the Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Strategic Policing Board.  He was appointed a Governor at Anglia Ruskin University in 2014 and in August 2020 he was appointed Chair of the Board of Governors. Keith has been an active member of the Speakers for Schools Programme since 2014 and has talked with students at many schools, primarily in the East Midlands area.

Appointed in 2025.

Tessa has lived and worked in Essex for many years and has been closely involved in the region’s educational, environmental, and maritime communities. She served in senior roles at the University of Essex, where she led a number of regional engagement and outreach initiatives. A passionate advocate for youth development, Tessa has volunteered for over three decades as a sailing coach, supporting young people through on-the-water activities along the Essex coastline. She sits on the organising committee for the East Anglian Maritime Awards, recognising the achievements of young people in the sector, and helps raise funds to support bursaries for maritime training. Tessa is a school governor and a trustee of several organisations working with young people and the environment. She also races a traditional Essex fishing smack on the Blackwater.

Appointed in 2024.

In 2007, Sue founded Kids Inspire, a not-for-profit organisation providing mental health and trauma recovery support for children, young people and their families. Today, Kids Inspire’s 100-strong team deliver a range of therapeutic and community activities across Essex and beyond, promoting resilience, self-awareness, relationship building, and empowering individuals to make more positive life choices. Sue is a qualified Integrative Arts Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and practitioner of trauma recovery treatments such as Somatic Experiencing (SE) and NeuroAffective Touch (NA Touch). She teaches the Trauma module for MA Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists at Middlesex University, assists in the training of SE and NA Touch worldwide and is the first member of the faculty of the NeuroAffective Touch Institute. Sue was among those named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2021 for services to charity, mental health, and education. She is currently studying for a Professional Doctorate in Psychotherapy focused on a model of trauma therapy. Sue enjoys going to the theatre, live music and catching up with friends and family.

Appointed in 2025.

Mark retired in 2023 as a Managing Director at Coutts & Co where he spent 30 years and for his last 15 years he was responsible for the bank’s connection with the Royal family. He now Chairs the Development Board of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, is Hon Treasurer to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and is on the Development Committee of Prostate Cancer UK, among other things. Mark has lived in High Roding since 1988 and in the summer months is often found afloat on his small boat. He is married to Anna and has two adult daughters and increasing numbers of grandchildren.

Appointed in 2024.

Charles is married with three children and one grandchild.  He was a trustee of Blesma, the military charity for limbless veterans, headquartered in Chelmsford. He is currently a trustee of Essex Community Foundation and chairs the Finance and Investment Committee.  He was High Sheriff of Essex in 2023/24. Earlier, Charles was in the British Army, following which he had a career in finance, becoming a partner of Cazenove & Co and then a Managing Director of JPMorgan Cazenove. He was a founding partner of Fairlead Partners, a corporate finance boutique. Charles has a strong connection with Essex; he and his wife have lived here most of their lives. They have a passion for fishing, walking and vintage motoring and a hit and miss interest in golf.

Appointed in 2025.

Emma is the daughter of an Essex farmer who married a farmer. She is a Trustee of The Friends of Essex Churches Trust, and Chairman of their fundraising Events Committee. Supporting her husband, Simon, in his year as High Sheriff of Essex led her to join the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Chelmsford, who monitor life in prison to ensure that prisoners are treated fairly. She is a past Trustee and Volunteer of Colchester Riding for the Disabled Group. Interests include all things equestrian, creative arts, gardening and the Essex countryside. She has two children and two grandchildren.

Appointed in 2020.

Roger is a Solicitor. He is a Higher Court Advocate specialising in Criminal and Military litigation practising in courts at home and abroad. He was a member of the Law Society’s Standing Committee on Criminal Law and a Member of the Criminal Justice Board for Essex Suffolk and Norfolk. He was Chairman of the United Kingdom Forces Law network and is a member of the Institute of Military Court Advocates. He is a member of the Rural Community Council of Essex, a member of The Friends of Essex Churches Trust, and a member of the Essex Wildlife Trust. He was appointed Under Sheriff of Essex in 2014.

Appointed in 2012.

Simon is an arable farmer who is proud to live in the county of Essex. His diversifications include an aggregates business which is managed by his son Oliver. He was High Sheriff of Essex in 2021-22, and is an Ambassador for the charities Open Road and UTurn4Support.  He is also a member of the Development Board of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, Treasurer for The Pride of Essex Awards and a Trustee of The Augustine Courtauld Trust. He set up the Salix Trust with his wife Emma after his shrieval year, which is managed by the Essex Community Foundation. He has two children who are both married and two grandchildren. Interests include archaeology, rugby and conservation.

Appointed in 2024.

Lord Burnett of Maldon was Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales from 2017 until 2023, becoming a member of the House of Lords on his appointment. He served as a Lord Justice of Appeal between 2014 and 2017 and as a Justice of the High Court between 2008 and 2014. Lord Burnett was knighted in 2008 and became a member of the Privy Council in 2014. He practised as a junior barrister between 1982 and 1998 and as a Queen’s Counsel thereafter until his appointment to the High Court. Lord Burnett continues to sit as a supplementary justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and, since November 2023, has been Chief Justice of the Astana International Financial Court. He is a Commissioner of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, a charity supporting science and design, and chairs the Middle Temple Charity. Lord Burnett and his family have lived the District of Maldon since 1999.

Appointed in 2019.

Bryan’s career was in the City, where he worked as an investment manager specialising in charities. He worked for Cazenove, BlackRock and Investec Wealth. He retired from the City in November 2017 as he became the Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers for a year. He was then High Sheriff of Essex in 2018. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of Newbury Racecourse PLC and a Trustee of Home-Start Essex and volunteers at the Homework Club on the Melbourne Estate in Chelmsford. He is married to keen gardener Philippa and they have two sons.

Appointed in 2012.

Christopher Butler is an arable farmer and businessman in north Essex involved locally as chairman of the village hall, parish councillor and trustee of the rest homes in Halstead. He is a keen wildlife conservationist nationally and on the farm. He is Essex chairman of CFE (Campaign for the Farmed Environment) and national chairman of FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group) with sixty advisors going onto farms to advise on wildlife habitat creation and restoration.

Appointed in 2010.

Nicholas Charrington and his family live and work at Layer Marney Tower, a Tudor building that is both a visitor attraction and wedding and corporate events venue. Essex born and bred, Nicholas is involved with the Rural Community Council of Essex and the Essex Rural Fund, along with several other organisations. He is a great fan of the county of Essex and its inhabitants, loving the diversity and beauty of both place and person.

Appointed in 2010.

Lynda has spent many years running her family’s successful quarry and property business. She is Vice-Chairman of the Haven Gateway Partnership representing small business. Lynda is also a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Paviors and a Trustee and Director of a number of local Essex charities and trusts.

Appointed in 2023.

Duncan was educated at Harrow School, Christ’s College Cambridge, and Columbia Business School. He worked for Brown Brothers Harriman & Co from 1986, an independent global financial services firm, and in 2002 he left to manage the family estate, Braxted Park. Duncan and his wife, Nicky, devote all their energies full time into making Braxted a thriving and self-sufficient diversified rural business. Duncan is a trustee of the Country Food Trust which raise funds to provide meals to feed people in need. He is a Director of the North-East Essex Farm Cluster and a member of the Country Land and Business Association. Duncan has five children and four grandchildren, and his interests are shooting, golf, skiing and walking.

Appointed in 2022.

Graham was educated at Southampton University and qualified as a solicitor in 1979. After a period in private practice, he moved into commerce and industry and worked for several different companies. He was a long-time serving member of the Law Society’s Commerce and Industry Group. Most of his career was spent with BT International, which involved at one time a posting to Brussels and later a year in Qatar. After his retirement in 2015, Graham obtained a diploma in environmental management and now chairs the Brentwood and Billericay Local Group of the Essex Wildlife Trust. This underpins his belief in the importance of nature conservation. Graham is a non-executive representative of the Brentwood Development Partnership LLP, a joint venture between Brentwood Borough Council and Muse Developments. Graham’s interests include sport, travel, photography and walking. He has lived in Brentwood since 2005.

Appointed in 2013.

Adrian Corder-Birch was in the legal profession for 36 years, until semi-retirement, followed by ten years in local government. He is immediate past president of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History, chairman of the Editorial Board of Essex Journal, Patron of Halstead and District Local History Society and Vice Chairman of Essex Industrial Archaeology Group. He has been clerk of a Parish Council since 1971 and is clerk to the trustees of the Courtauld Homes of Rest, an almshouse charity. He is a member of the Court of The University of Essex and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

Appointed in 2016.

Susie Cornell was awarded an MBE in 2007. She is the founder of the “Pride of Essex Awards” recognising charities, communities, adults and children for their achievements. She is a natural health consultant helping people worldwide through bio resonance consultation. She has lectured at the University of Surrey, received a lifetime achievement award for integrating disability into the world of fitness. She is an author and has also produced two exercise videos.

Appointed in 2009.

Sarah Courage has lived most of her life in Essex. She volunteered as a driver for Brentwood Meals on Wheels and for Brentwood Community Transport for many years. Sarah was elected as a Brentwood Borough Councillor in 2002, taking a keen interest in recycling and the environment. She was High Sheriff in 2008/2009. Having raised funds for PARC, she, with Ian Twinley, set up The Essex Dog Day in 2011. This continues to be a very successful fundraiser for many Essex Charities. She was a governor at Brentwood School for 5 years and from 2010 a Witness Service Volunteer at Basildon Crown Court.

Appointed in 2023.

Clare’s background is in journalism and finance. She worked at the BBC, Times and Independent, where she was City Editor. She then moved into asset management and later ran her own marketing consultancy. She is a former non-executive director of Alliance Witan, a FTSE 100 company, and three other investment companies. She is chair of Essex Bridleways Association and a former trustee of Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust, The Friends of Thomas Plume’s Library and Wild Arts. Clare is a past director of Southend Hospital.

Appointed in 2019.

After a science degree at Oxford, Jeremy joined the Ministry of Agriculture, firstly as an adviser in the field and then in Whitehall in several policy areas. He now farms a wide range of crops in a family partnership in Essex. In Scotland his business includes sporting and holiday lets, fishing, forestry and renewables. Jeremy is Chairman of the NFU Mutual for the Eastern Region, Trustee of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (and Chairman, Essex Committee and Allerton Project); Court Assistant, Worshipful Company of Farmers; Chairman, Farmers and Fletchers Hall Ltd; Member of the local Multi-Academy Trust. He has been Vice Chairman of Governors at Writtle University College and President of both Orsett and Rochford Agricultural Societies. Jeremy is married to Diana. Their children are Kathryn, Toby and Oliver.

Appointed in 2021.

Julie Fosh (Rogers) was born, raised and educated in Rayleigh, Essex. She studied Physics at Queen Elizabeth College (now King’s College) University of London and published a research paper on microwave diathermy for the Cancer Research Campaign (now Cancer Research UK). She retired in 2015 from a 35 year full-time career in teaching and school leadership with experience in both the private and state sector. She has a passion for raising the aspirations of young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. She is a trustee of Essex Youth Trust, Essex Boys and Girls Clubs and Essex Woman’s Advisory Group, on the committee of the Essex Agricultural Society and the steering group for the Essex Schools Food and Farming Day. Julie and her husband Paul share a love of travel and long distance hiking. Julie was High Sheriff of Essex in 2020 during which time she hiked from Harwich to Tilbury and steered the role through a global pandemic. Julie and Paul live in North Fambridge, sharing most of the house with two working Labradors.

Appointed in 2023.

Tim is the founder and CEO of Dolma Fund Management, an impact investor for Nepal. They are one of the largest foreign investors in Nepal, and have created thousands of sustainable jobs in technology, renewable energy and healthcare. Tim is also founder and Chairman of Dolma Foundation, a charity educating underprivileged children in Nepal. Previously, Tim worked at Deloitte in London, J.P. Morgan in New York and E.On. As an entrepreneur, he has started and sold two successful technology businesses.

Tim is Hon. Professor of Sustainable Business at The University of Nottingham and Guest Lecturer at London Business School where he gained his MBA. He is Deputy Lead Governor at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, a Patron of Essex-based charity The Music Man Project, and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers. He was awarded the OBE for services to British investment and economic development in Nepal. Tim lives in Westcliff with his wife, Pooja Gurung, and their three children.

Appointed in 2009.

Graham Gooch was awarded the OBE for his services to cricket in 1991. Graham made the Essex 2nd XI in 1968 and in 1973 he made his first-class debut. In 1975 he played for the MCC against the touring Australians. Graham led the England side 34 times. Currently he is England’s leading test run maker with a total of 8,900 runs and 20 centuries. In 1996 Graham was appointed an England selector and held that position for four seasons. In 2002 he was made Essex’s Head Coach but as from 2005 he accepted a wider role within the club. This included specialist batting coaching and acting as the ambassador for the club’s future commercial development. He has also started the ‘Graham Gooch Scholarship Fund’ an initiative to raise monies to send some of Essex’s best young professionals on overseas scholarships and he now sponsors the Essex Cricket Academy. More recently he has been the England batting coach, starting his role on a part-time basis in 2009 and moving into a full-time position from 2012 to 2014.

Appointed in 2025.

On leaving school, Rachel trained as a nurse, eventually becoming a departmental Sister in a busy London teaching hospital. Having married a doctor, she moved to Essex over thirty years ago and brought up three daughters. She sold Cards for Good Causes for several years in Chelmsford library, before joining the Friends of Essex Churches Trust Events Committee. After organising many events, including the popular Charity Gift Fair, she then became its chairman. She remains an active member of the committee, is a trustee of the Friends of Essex Churches Trust, and has served as Vice-chairman of the executive. She is now the Essex organiser of the annual Ride and Stride, which she continues to champion.

Appointed in 2019.

John has had a career in finance. He was Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority from 2013 to 2018 and prior to that was the Chair and Senior Partner of KPMG in the UK, towards the end of his thirty seven years with the firm. He is currently the Chair of StepChange Debt Charity, which provides advice and guidance to people across the UK who find themselves in financial difficulties through borrowing. He is also a trustee of National Numeracy, a charity promoting the importance of numeracy to all age groups. He spent fourteen years in the Army Reserve with the Royal Green Jackets, now the The Rifles. He is a governor of Brentwood School. His wife, Cathryn, was born and brought up in Essex and they moved from London in 2003 to live near Chelmsford in the house that her grandparents acquired during the 2nd World War.

Appointed in 2011.

Born in York, John graduated from Oxford University in Zoology where he specialised in entomology and then worked for the Natural Environment Research Council on insect population studies in Mid Wales. John spent 2 years in Africa on biological control of insect pests before returning to the UK and joining the Field Studies Council in North Wales as Deputy Warden of the Field Centre in Betws-y-coed where he taught field biology for 10 years. So Essex was not a county that John knew well when he moved to join Essex Wildlife Trust in 1987. However, he liked it, so he stayed with the Trust for 28 years as its Chief Executive helping to build this charity up from 4 staff to 130 staff with 87 nature reserves, 11 Visitor Centres and one of the largest Wildlife Trusts in the UK with over 35,000 members. John is proud to have been awarded an MBE for his services to the environment and an Honorary Fellowship of the University of Essex as well as being a Deputy Lieutenant. He retired to Lawford near Manningtree with his wife Caroline where they are building house to sustainable principles which is planned to be energy neutral and water neutral. John and Caroline are keen dancers: they teach dance and hold many fundraising dances. They have two children, Tom and Rosie, and two grandchildren. All live in their adopted county of Essex.

Appointed in 2018.

Simon Hall was educated at Ampleforth College and Cambridge. He was a partner with the law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer from 1985 to 2014 and Head of Freshfields Finance Practice for many years. In his last four years with the firm he led their global corporate responsibility programmes, which focussed on social exclusion. He is a trustee of a number of charities including Brentwood Cathedral Choral Trust; Colchester and North East Essex Building Preservation Trust; the homeless charity Caritas Anchor House; the Council of the University of Essex, and Essex Community Foundation. He was awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to charity and education. Widowed with four children and seven grandchildren he lives in Great Tey and is passionate about fishing and all aspects of country life.

Appointed in 2018.

David Hurst is the past Chair of trustees of Southend Blind Welfare Organisation (Southend in Sight) and a grants and committee member of Southend Community Fund. He is a former member of Essex Community Foundation‘s programmes committee and was Chairman of the Southend 41 Club. He founded Rochford Rivercare in 2004, to keep the River Roach litter free. He was the President of Rochford Hundred Agricultural Society. He was the Chairman of the ORMC (Online Recruitment Marketing Council), a Board Member of the DCF (Digital Content Forum) representing UK online recruiters’ interests to the UK government and Chairman of a British Standards Institute committee creating a British Standard in Online Recruiting. David has been married to Jane since 1984 and has two daughters and two border collies.

Appointed in 2013.

Catharine Hutley has spent most of her life in Essex. She is the daughter of a farmer from Saffron Walden, married to another and proud of all things Essex. She is past Chairman and Treasurer of the Friends of Essex Churches Events Committee, a trustee of Abbeyfield (Braintree, Bocking & Felsted) and Past President of the Essex Agricultural Society. Her hobbies include travel, horse racing, skiing, tennis, cycling, fine arts and theatre but most importantly family and friends.

Appointed in 2022.

Sue Jackson was born in Basildon and is incredibly proud of the opportunities afforded to her through the excellent state education she received there. Sue has been a Basildon Primary School Headteacher for 23 years, her career being firmly entrenched within the education sector. In 2017, Sue was appointed CEO of Lee Chapel Multi-Academy Trust which consists of six Basildon Primary Schools.  Throughout her Headship Sue has supported schools across the Local Authority in her capacity as a school-based Development Adviser, executive Headteacher of OFSTED category schools and as a Leadership coach and mentor. As a National Leader of Education Sue has a proven track record of applying her strong experience of school improvement across the sector. Sue’s philosophy is about improving provision and outcomes for all children and not just the 1000 pupils who happen to attend Lee Chapel Primary School and Nursery.  Sue achieved a Bachelor of Education with Honours, a Masters degree, and then the National Professional Qualification for Headship and also trained as an OFSTED inspector.  Sue passionately believes that education is the key to improved life chances (having climbed up the ladder of success from humble beginnings) and has made it her life’s work to raise aspirations for pupils across Basildon.  A keen theatre goer and overseas traveller, Sue lives with her husband, Alexander in Westcliff-on-Sea.

Appointed in 2019.

Stephen was born and schooled in Essex and decided to join the Metropolitan Police after witnessing an armed robbery in Chelmsford in 1984. Following a variety of interesting postings including homicide, anti-corruption and anti-terrorism, he was honoured in 2013 to be selected to become the Chief Constable of his home Force of Essex. Stephen was committed to bringing the Force closer to the people of Essex and was the first Chief Constable to utilise funds seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act to support a Community Foundation. He continued to support the work of the Essex Community Foundation, Open Road Charity and is the Patron of a children’s cancer charity called Jack’s PACK. Following his retirement from policing he is involved in work with the University of Essex, The Police Memorial Trust and consulting on policing and terrorism related matters.

Appointed in 2005.

Charles Latham is Senior Partner of Tolhurst Fisher Solicitors based in Southend and Hatfield Peverel. Charles served as a member of Southend Council from 1990 until 2005, as Leader of the Council for much of that time. He is a past Mayor of Southend-on-Sea and an Honorary Alderman of the Borough. Charles lives in South Benfleet with his wife Clare and two children. His interests include travel and fine wine.

Appointed in 2013.

Rupert Marks was brought up and lived in Harlow until 1992 when he moved to Great Totham. His family business, Trebor, was based in Woodford Green and had one of its many factories in Colchester. Rupert has worked and still does work in the sales and manufacture of soft drinks. He set up The Pioneer Sailing Trust in Brightlingsea 20 years ago, loves Essex and lives in Great Totham with his wife Leonie and four daughters.

Appointed in 2023.

Alix was born and brought up in Essex, and has lived here almost all her life, except for a few years away for education (BA in History and Politics from Kent University). Apart from being a wife and mother, Alix was also a magistrate for 25 years (now retired) sitting on the N.E. Essex Bench, including 9 years on the Youth Panel. Also, for the last 20 years but again recently retired, she worked as Grants Administrator for a very active grant-giving charitable trust, operating throughout Essex. Interestingly there was often a synergy between her role as a magistrate and the charity involvement. Alix is married to Richard (also born and bred in Essex) and has two children and two grandchildren. Her main hobby is gardening (a previous garden was in The Good Garden Guide), and is also interested in travel, art and architecture.

Appointed in 2014.

Glenn Mayes has lived in the County for all his life. He is married with two sons. He was a career police officer with Essex Police combined with service with the Essex Wing of the Air Training Corps, retiring as Wing Commander in Dec 2013. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in July 2014. He is a professional toastmaster and Independent Celebrant, director of training for a national toastmaster training organisation and an executive member of the Toastmasters General Council. He is honorary President of 295 (Witham & Rivenhall) Sqn Air Cadets; a member of both RAFA and RBL, and a keen Beekeeper: currently Chairman of Maldon Beekeepers.

Appointed in 2019.

Sidra has been a qualified teacher for over 20 years. She specialises in supporting and coordinating provision for students with special educational, social, emotional, mental health and wellbeing needs. She works as a chaplain for Anglia Ruskin University and also volunteers as a chaplain in the educational, health and retail sectors. Sidra has been volunteering actively in the community in Essex and London since 2003. She has initiated and facilitated mental health, interfaith and cultural diversity awareness events for various organisations. She is part of the Mid-Essex Interfaith Forum and Secretary and speaker for the Havering InterFaith Forum. She is a representative of SACRE (Standing Advisory Council of Religious Education) and contributed to the religious education curriculum for educational establishments in Essex. She is Secretary of Essex Mind and Spirit, a voluntary organisation raising awareness of spiritual care in mental health recovery. She manages Women Together in Basildon, a group aiming to integrate vulnerable women from different backgrounds into the community, by providing advice, support, art activities and speakers on health topics. Sidra helps to feed homeless people in Havering through Hope4Havering and arranges annual “Feed the Homeless” events for the Chelmsford CHESS Nightshelter. She is also a Community Governor at the King Edward Grammar School in Chelmsford.

Appointed in 2019.

Fiona qualified as a solicitor and worked in London before moving to Essex in 2000 where she started volunteering at Maldon Citizens Advice and the Citizens Advice Help Desk at Chelmsford County Court.  She was employed as a Mental Health Advocate for Mid Essex Mind for three years and in 2013 joined the staff of Maldon Citizens Advice where she continues to work as a supervisor, outreach worker and benefit specialist.  For many years she organised the Essex Ride & Stride event for the Friends of Essex Churches Trust.  She has also been a Public Governor for the North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and is a current member of the Chelmsford Singers.  She is married to John and they have three daughters.

Appointed in 2025.

Janet moved to Essex in 1969 when her parents gained the tenancy of an Essex County Council farm. Although her own career was in education, she continued to lend a hand on the family farm for many years. Janet taught in Essex Primary Schools and as an Advisory Teacher prior to ordination in the Church of England. Ordained in 2012, she was appointed Rural Adviser and Agricultural Chaplain for the Diocese of Chelmsford in 2015 and became an Honorary Canon of Chelmsford Cathedral in 2020. Her ministry extends throughout the county with a focus on rural and agricultural communities and issues. Janet is a trustee of the Rural Community Council of Essex and on the Strategic Board of Essex Rural Partnership. She also serves on the council of Essex Agricultural Society and the County Executive Committee of Essex Young Farmers’ Club. She is chaplain to the Farming Community Network charity. Janet is married to Peter and they have two children and two grandchildren.

Appointed in 2016.

Rosemary Padfield lives and farms in West Essex. She is a member of the National Farmers Union, Essex Agricultural Society and the Essex Schools Food & Farming Day –a proactive show promoting how food gets from field to plate to 3000 Key Stage Two children. She has been a magistrate since 1994 and works alongside local police and farmers on rural crime issues. She is also a Parish councillor and Churchwarden. Her nine grandchildren fill any spare moments.

Appointed in 2024.

A former nurse who has spent over 30 years working in the NHS, Clare joined as Regional Director for NHS England – East of England in July 2022, from Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, where she was Chief Executive since the Trust formed in April 2020. Prior to this, Clare was Chief Executive of the predecessor Trusts – Basildon and Thurrock, Mid Essex and Southend. Clare was also CEO of North Middlesex University Hospital for 9 years before moving to Essex. Clare is committed to supporting NHS colleagues to provide better and more joined up patient care. She leads the region’s work with integrated care boards, focusing on improvement in the provision of healthcare and outcomes for the 6.3m population of the East of England, as well as shaping future policy and strategy as part of the national executive team

Appointed in 2020.

Hugh Pegrum is an arable farmer from Epping where he has lived and farmed all his life. He studied Agriculture at Writtle College and was a member of Ongar Young Farmers which culminated in him serving as County Chairman of Essex Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.  He has been a member of Epping Town Council since 1999 and served as Epping Town Mayor in 2002. Hugh is Treasurer of the Epping Theydon Trust, a local housing charity, and a trustee of The Epping & Theydon Garnon Joint Charities which owns alms houses, a small farm and gives educational grants to local students. Hugh is married to Diane and has two daughters.

Appointed in 2023.

Jules Pretty is Professor of Environment and Society at the University of Essex, and Director of the Centre for Public and Policy Engagement. His books include The Low-Carbon Good Life (2023), Sea Sagas of the North (2022), The East Country (2017), The Edge of Extinction (2014), This Luminous Coast (2011), Agri-Culture (2002) and Regenerating Agriculture (1995). He is former Deputy-Chair of the UK government’s Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and has written for BBC TV and radio. He received an OBE for services to sustainable agriculture, an honorary degree from Ohio State University, and the British Science Association Presidential Medal. This Luminous Coast won the New Angle Prize for Literature in 2013, and The East Country was winner of the East Anglian book of the year in 2018. He was appointed President of Essex Wildlife Trust in 2019, is Chair of the Essex Climate Action Commission, and is host of the podcast Louder Than Words.

Appointed in 2025.

Ed was born in Yorkshire but proudly calls Essex home, having lived in the county since 2009 except for operational deployments overseas. He has served in the British Army since 1999, when he commissioned into the Adjutant General’s Corps (Educational Training Service) and is currently Commander Colchester Garrison, a post he took up in July 2021. He is a qualified teacher in Further Education, a background that proved useful while deployed in Afghanistan as military operations focussed on capacity building and institutional resilience. His most enjoyable assignment was to serve in Brunei with the Brigade of Gurkhas from 2003 – 2005, developing an understanding and connection that helped him manage the recent arrival of Gurkha troops at Colchester Garrison. On promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 2018 he served in Army Headquarters as lead for Officer and Soldier Education. Ed is due to leave the Regular Army but will continue to serve in the Army Reserve. Ed lives in the Colchester area with his wife Sharon, a veterinary surgeon runs a practice in Colchester. Part of the Harwich Deanery, he is an active member of the local Parochial Church Council and volunteers to help with village projects and Rotary events. A keen skier and armchair rugby fan, he has been a supporter of Cancer Research for over 20 years.

Appointed in 2024.

After schooling in Devon and the US and then university in Bristol, Paul qualified as a chartered accountant and then held various financial services roles in London, Johannesburg, Buckinghamshire and Luxembourg. In 1998 he moved to Essex to work in a retail financial services outsourcing company and spent the rest of his career there in various senior positions, working in Brentwood, Basildon and Chelmsford. Paul is married with two grown up children. Since retiring Paul has supported a variety of charities either through Board involvement or through other volunteering. He is a volunteer warden on part of the Essex Wildlife Trust Danbury Ridge Nature Reserves and supports his wife’s work at the Wilderness Foundation. He is also Chair of Hearing Help Essex and of the Chelmsford local group of Essex Wildlife Trust and treasurer of Maldon Citizens Advice, the Rural Community Council of Essex and of various local village organisations. Outside that his interests are golf, cricket, conservation and Southern Africa.

Appointed in 2017.

Lorna Rolfe was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1986. She is a past Chairman of the Bench and of the Essex Bench Chairman’s Forum. She served on the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee. As Chairman of her local Red Cross and Uttlesford Committee member, she has been part of the County Emergency Response Team. Her love of music has resulted in current Ambassadorial roles for Saffron Hall and Saffron Walden Choral Society. She is Essex Ambassador for Schoolreaders and a Patron of Open Road. Lorna lives in Great Chesterford with her husband Howard. They have three grown up children and three grandchildren.

Appointed in 2020.

Amrik has a long and distinguished career in the City having held managing director posts with Morgan Stanley, Bank of America and Deutsche Bank. He is currently Executive Head of Trading and Origination at Anglo American. Prior to joining Anglo American, Amrik co-founded his own commodity advisory business. In 2017 he and his family established a leadership foundation in memory of their son Ajvir and engaged with the Essex Community Foundation to identify potential partnerships and opportunities for the Foundation to provide additional support to the local community. The Ajvir Singh Sandhu Leadership Foundation was set up to uphold the principles and values of their son in order to motivate young people to reach their full potential as leaders. To date the Foundation has launched a number of programs including sixth form mentoring, university scholarship opportunities and a small grants scheme. Amrik also acts as Ambassador for the Royal Air Force Association. He is married to Narinderjit and lives in High Beech.

Appointed in 2020.

After a short service commission in the Army, James pursued a career in finance that took him and his family to many different countries and led to him starting his own business in 2003 to develop and finance renewable energy projects. James is a Trustee of The English-Speaking Union and active in encouraging primary and secondary schools in Essex to develop their pupils’ communication skills, focusing on public speaking and debating. James is married to Sarah, a chartered surveyor and past Chairman of Home-Start in Uttlesford. They have three grown up children.

Appointed in 2008.

Resident in Chelmsford since 1980, John was a managing director at Lloyds TSB until 2005. He has had a wide range of non-executive roles and has been chair or president of numerous charities. He is currently Finance Chair of the Church of England Archbishops’ Council, a Cabinet member at Essex County Council as well as a governor at Anglia Ruskin University. John was awarded the MBE in 1999, the OBE in 2006 and the CBE in 2013 for services to community, charity and business respectively. John, who is blind, is married with three children and five grandchildren.

Appointed in 2017.

Nigel Spencer was born in Harrow and educated at Culham College, Oxford. He taught in a number of Essex primary schools and was the youngest Deputy Head in the County. He left the profession after 41 years of service. Nigel is married with 7 children & 3 grandchildren. Nigel has organised many education initiatives, especially with conservation and historical themes. He founded Ramsey/Dovercourt Crusaders, and was Chair of National Crusaders Council for 7 years. Nigel was awarded an MBE in 2015 for Services to Education. Nigel currently chairs the Harwich Crime Prevention Panel, the Harwich Primary Schools Sports Association, is an Honorary Life Member of Dovercourt Cricket Club and Vice Chairman of the Culham College Society. His interests include being a founder member of the I.O.W Steam Railway, Patron of the Colne Valley Railway, youth work, Anglican Church activities, community involvement often linked to DL duties, and gardening!

Appointed in 2023.

Tim was born and bred in Essex. His 30-year career has been in policing, working at a local, national and international level. He specialised in major and high-risk operations, retiring as a Chief Superintendent in 2012 having commanded a major venue during the London Olympic Games. He now works to improve the welfare and wellbeing of retired police officers and their families. He has served as an assessor for The Queens Award for Voluntary Service, he continues as an assessor for the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. Tim is a trustee of the Essex Police Museum ensuring the heritage and history of Essex Police is preserved. He enjoys volunteering for the National Trust at the Sutton Hoo site and is an enthusiastic sailor.

Appointed in 2015.

Martin is President and Conservation Officer of the Monumental Brass Society. He is a Trustee and Director of the Rural Community Council of Essex and the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome. He is also Vice-Chairman and Hon. Secretary of the Friends of Essex Churches Trust; a Vice-President of the Essex Society for Archaeology and History; and a former Chairman of the Victoria County History of Essex Trust. Martin is Churchwarden of the small Essex church dedicated to St. Gregory and St. George at Pentlow.

Appointed in 2020.

Jackie was born in London but has spent her adult life in Essex, living and working in Harlow. After working in the private and public sectors she moved into the community sector where she stayed for over 30 years. In 1999 she founded the charity Rainbow Services and remained as CEO until her retirement in 2017. During this time she chaired the Harlow Strategic Partnership, working closely with the local authority and the other Essex local strategic partnership chairs. Jackie served as a JP on the North West Essex bench and was an active non executive member of the Harlow Primary Care Trust (PCT), West Essex PCT and West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group boards, specialising in patient and community engagement. She was a trustee of the Essex Community Foundation and chaired the grants and programmes panel. Jackie is married with 2 adult children and 5 grandchildren.

Appointed in 2001.

Colonel Thomas retired from his role as Corporate Risk & Business Continuity Manager with Essex County Fire & Rescue Service in January 2020. Born in Chelmsford, Charles has lived in Essex all his life, apart from postings to Germany and then Belfast. He joined the Territorial Army in 1975. Commissioned into The Royal Anglian Regiment in 1977, he spent most of 1979 with the Regular Army on a Short Service Volunteer Commission. He then returned to his TA Battalion, serving until 1991 in a number of appointments, then as a Training Officer in a Brigade HQ. In 1993 he was promoted to command the 6th Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment. From 1996-2001, he was Commandant of the Essex Army Cadet Force. Charles chaired the Essex Forum, Reserve Forces & Cadets Association from 2002-2019. He was appointed County Colonel The Royal Anglian Regiment (Regimental Representative) for Essex in 2015 and is Chairman of the Royal Anglian Regiment Chapel and Essex Regiment Committee and President of the Chelmsford Branch of the Royal Anglian Regiment Association.

Appointed in 2019.

On leaving the Army in 2008, Hugh and his wife Victoria, who grew up at Layer Marney Tower, settled in Kelvedon from where he pursued a second career in software development for the maritime and defence industries. Retiring from full time work in 2018, Hugh is now Chairman of the Armed Forces Charity SSAFA Essex, National and county President of the Coldstream Guards Association and Secretary of the Blackwater Wildfowlers Association. He is also a past master of the Worshipful Company of Broderers and Lay Chair of St Mary’s, Kelvedon PCC. Hugh and Victoria have two children; Arabella working for Sotheby’s and Charlie in the Royal Navy.

Appointed in 2019.

Juliet is a mural artist. During the Covid19 lockdowns she worked with local community response groups to disseminate information, and created public murals to lift spirits. Born and raised in Essex, Juliet was educated in Suffolk, Kent and Yorkshire. She worked for a London brand consultancy for ten years before returning to Essex to work for Essex Boys and Girls Clubs, a youthwork charity, for six years. Four years in hospitality followed before the development of a full-time career as an artist. Juliet volunteers with a variety of voluntary groups and charities and is part of the Lieutenancy team working on the Essex Women’s Commemoration Project. She lives in Colne Engaine with her husband Spike.

Appointed in 2025.

Tim had a 40 year career as an auctioneer and valuer before retiring 3 years ago. He now works as a curatorial volunteer at Audley End House and is a trustee and secretary of the Friends of Audley End. He is Chairman of and has run the Countess of Warwick Show at Little Easton for 25 years, raising money for the Churches of the Five Parishes. He is on the Local Committee advising the National Trust at Hatfield Forest and has talked to local community groups on a variety of subjects for many years.

Appointed in 2012.

Ian Twinley spent the first half of his career working for Ford Motor Company in the UK, Germany and Detroit. In 2002 he joined the multi franchise Dealer John Grose as Chairman of the Group. Ian is the voluntary Chairman of the East Anglia Reserve Forces & Cadets Association. He travelled to Afghanistan in 2008 and spent time with serving reservists in Kandahar and Camp Bastion. Ian is a Patron of the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity and active in many other fundraising and community initiatives. He and his wife Alison live in Hatfield Peverel.

Appointed in 2024.

Vanessa moved to Essex with her husband Rupert in 1999. She continued her picture framing business and staged mixed artist exhibitions from her new address until 2013. She joined the Events Committee of the Friends of Essex Churches Trust and was Events Treasurer for 10 years. She is closely involved with her local church, St. Martin’s, and helped Age Concern by delivering meals on wheels for the duration of lockdown. She is a patron of Wild Arts and has become a director of the Munnings Art Museum at Castle House, Dedham.  

Appointed in 2018.

Dr Margaret Wilson is CEO, headteacher and executive head of two large 11-18 schools in Essex and moved The King John School to outstanding. She is now also CEO of the newly formed and growing Zenith Multi Academy Trust comprising of two secondary schools – The King John School, The James Hornsby School and one primary school – Laindon Park Primary School and Nursery. She has a strong track record in supporting schools in challenging circumstances and was an adviser to the DfE’s academies division seconded for 2 days a week during a 3 year period. Margaret is a Trustee of the Academy Transformation Trust and Thrive Partnership Academy Trust and has been a non-executive director of Pearson Education Ltd for 8 years. She is also a board member of Anglia Ruskin University. Margaret was awarded CBE in the 2019 New Years Honours List for her services to education.