Cllr Justin Wrench – Cabinet Member for Economic Development

For Cllr Wrench, public service is rooted in a desire to give something back to the communities that have shaped his life. Having spent more than 20 years working in education, including progressing to become a headteacher, Cllr Wrench has always been passionate about supporting people and creating opportunities. Seven years ago, he became a councillor, seeing it as an opportunity to extend that work further – listening to residents, understanding their concerns and helping to shape a positive future for the area.

North Essex has been home for most of his life. He grew up in Halstead before settling in Braintree 13 years ago. His connection to the area, both personally and professionally, has given him a strong understanding of its communities and a real commitment to its future.

As a member of the NEEB Board, Cllr Wrench is particularly passionate about ensuring economic growth translates into opportunities for local people. For him, that means good jobs, thriving businesses, investment in town centres and infrastructure, and strong links between education, skills and employment. He wants to see young people able to build successful futures locally, while ensuring North Essex remains a place where businesses can grow and communities can flourish.

What Cllr Wrench values most about the area is its strong sense of community, alongside the mix of thriving towns, beautiful countryside and rich heritage. He believes a thriving North Essex should offer a high quality of life, affordable housing, good education, reliable infrastructure and opportunities for people at every stage of life – while protecting the character and environment that make the region special.

Cllr Wrench’s advice for those looking to make North Essex their home
“Take advantage of the opportunities that North Essex has to offer. It is a region with ambition, strong communities and a growing economy. Whether you are starting a career, raising a family or launching a business, you will find support, opportunity and a fantastic quality of life.”

Cllr Terry Sherlock – Cabinet Deputy for Economy and Sustainable Transport

Cllr Sherlock’s route into local politics was perhaps less about inspiration and more about frustration. Having reached the point where “shouting at the telly” was no longer enough, seven years ago, he felt compelled to get involved himself, bringing a practical, straightforward approach and a desire to improve the ways things were done.

Through his work, Cllr Sherlock has the opportunity to meet businesses across Chelmsford and North Essex and hear first-hand about the challenges and opportunities they face. He believes strongly that business owners are the people who know best how to make their enterprises work, with the role of local authorities being to provide the right support, remove barriers and create the conditions for businesses to be able to thrive. For him, economic growth ultimately means jobs and rewarding those prepared to step forward and take risks.

Cllr Sherlock is particularly positive about the diversity of Chelmsford, where people from different backgrounds and cultures come together, while sharing a common language when it comes to business. He sees meeting people doing great things, learning from them and occasionally being able to help as one of the privileges of his role.

Looking across North Essex, Cllr Sherlock sees significant potential. Good transport links, access to countryside and nature, proximity to London and connections to Europe all make the region an attractive place to live and do business. He believes a thriving North Essex should have abundant jobs, strong public transport, bustling high streets and plenty of opportunities for people to enjoy life locally.

His message to businesses considering the area is simple: come and meet the people, make the most of the region’s skilled workforce and look beyond the immediate local market. With its strong connections to the UK and Europe, he believes North Essex can be an excellent place from which to do business.

What Cllr Sherlock enjoys most about Chelmsford
“In Chelmsford, we have such a mix of people from all walks of life, and cultures from other parts of the UK and around the world. But when it comes to business, we all speak the same language. For me, meeting people who are doing great things—people I can learn from and sometimes even be able to help—is an absolute privilege.”

Cllr Alison Jay – Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Transformation and Digital

Cllr Jay became a councillor to make a positive difference in the community she lives and works in, and to help shape decisions that affect local people. Having lived in Colchester for 33 years, including 20 years in her ward, she has a strong understanding of the area and its communities. She also spent 18 years working as a Finance Officer at a local community centre, following earlier roles in London and Ipswich.

For Cllr Jay, economic growth is about creating opportunities for people to develop their skills, find rewarding jobs and build their futures. She believes it is equally important to support local businesses and ensure the benefits of prosperity are shared by everyone, with inclusivity at the heart of North Essex’s future.

What she loves most about Colchester is its mix of city life, open spaces and coastline, alongside its rich heritage, cultural events, attractive parks, schools and university. She sees North Essex as a place with much to offer, combining beautiful countryside and coastline with historic towns, arts and culture, and a strong sense of community.

Looking ahead, Cllr Jay wants to see an inclusive and sustainable North Essex, with successful businesses, good jobs, affordable homes, strong public services and accessible transport.
For those looking to make North Essex their home,

Cllr Jay says
“Take advantage of everything North Essex offers. Get involved in the community, explore our great range of education and career opportunities, support local businesses and enjoy the area’s rich heritage and natural environment.”

Cllr Simon Morgan – Leader of Maldon District Council

For Cllr Morgan, becoming a councillor was about putting a lifetime of experience to good use. Following careers in both the military and law, he had started to slow down, when his family suggested that he should instead “go out and do something useful”. That nudge led him into local government, where he has been able to use the skills and experience he gained throughout his career in service of the community.

His connection to North Essex goes back to 1981, when his parents moved to Maldon and Tollesbury. What began as a family connection soon became a deep personal attachment to the area. Although his career took him away for a time, he was drawn back, not least through his wife’s longstanding family connections to the local agricultural and legal communities. Having raised his own children here, Cllr Morgan is now firmly rooted in North Essex and, as Leader of Maldon District Council, is fiercely committed to protecting the character and quality of life that make the area special.

For Cllr Morgan, economic growth is about much more than headline figures. He points to the pockets of severe deprivation that exist alongside the perception of Essex as a prosperous county and believes growth must deliver genuine opportunity for communities across North Essex. That means investment in modern infrastructure and public services, as well as supporting the region’s businesses and agricultural communities. With major ports, strong transport connections and a location close to London and Stansted Airport, he sees significant potential for North Essex to attract investment and talent.

It is the area’s natural environment that Cllr Morgan enjoys most, from its coastline and estuaries to its countryside, wildlife and unique character. He believes North Essex offers a rare combination: the economic connections and opportunities of being on London’s doorstep, alongside beautiful places where people can live, work and enjoy the outdoors. For him, a thriving North Essex would be a magnet for talent and investment, where people can build businesses, develop careers and enjoy a high quality of life. And his advice to anyone considering making their future here is simply: “Just let us know when you can start!”

What economic growth in North Essex means to Cllr Morgan
“To me, economic growth means delivering the modern infrastructure and public services our residents deserve, ensuring opportunity reaches every corner of our community, not just a fortunate few.”

Cllr Ivan Henderson – Deputy Leader of Tendring District Council

“I was inspired to become a councillor because I like to listen to people, and then take their views forward – to drive forward positive change”

Having developed skills through the trade union movement, becoming a councillor seemed like a natural extension for Cllr Henderson, giving him the chance to make a difference for residents and their communities.

Born, raised, educated and employed in Harwich, He has deep roots in the area, and says there is nowhere else he would rather be than North Essex! It is this local knowledge, alongside his understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the region, that informs his vision for its future.

For Cllr Henderson, economic growth is about creating opportunities for people and businesses alike. That means supporting new businesses to get started, helping established firms grow and succeed, and creating meaningful employment for local residents. He believes North Essex has a diverse and exciting economic offer, from major maritime and port industries and manufacturing to successful micro-businesses, tourism and a rich heritage that attracts visitors.

Looking to the future, Cllr Henderson wants to see North Essex continue to attract and support businesses, while building on its strengths in leisure, tourism and innovation. He also believes better transport connections, alongside improved access to education, training and skills, will be vital in helping residents access opportunities and meeting the needs of local employers. For him, a thriving economy is about more than business performance; it is about improving health and wellbeing, supporting the voluntary sector and enabling people to lead fulfilling lives.

Offering a little piece of everything, including rugged coastline, sandy beaches, beautiful countryside and vibrant towns are what stands out to Cllr Henderson about North Essex. With a rich history, a growing food and wine sector, cutting-edge technology and strong connections by road, rail, air and sea, he believes the region offers an exceptional place to live, work and visit – with the benefits of being close to London without being in the capital.

He wants everyone considering building a future in North Essex to grab the opportunity, and ensure they access the support available through NEEB to help make their dreams a reality.

Cllr Neil Hargreaves – Deputy Leader of Uttlesford District Council

Cllr Hargreaves’ route into local government began with a very local issue: planning. Frustrated by planning matters and the lack of a Local Plan for Uttlesford at the time, he decided to stand for election. Since becoming a councillor, he has discovered a much broader picture of the role local councils play in supporting and improving their communities. Now Deputy Leader of Uttlesford District Council, he has a strong interest in how planning, development and economic growth can work together to benefit local people.

He has called North Essex home for more than 30 years, having moved to Newport, near Saffron Walden, because of its schools, something he says remains a major attraction of the area today. Originally from Lancashire, his life has also taken him to London and Kenya, yet North Essex is where he has found the best balance. He enjoys the combination of towns and villages, history and countryside, easy access to Cambridge and London, and the fantastic coastline.

For Cllr Hargreaves, economic growth also has a very personal dimension. Uttlesford is experiencing significant housing growth. Having spent years commuting long distances himself, he understands the environmental, financial and personal costs that can come with travelling for work. He believes stronger local economic growth, combined with flexible and home-based employment, could give more people the opportunity to work closer to where they live and avoid the experience he had.

A key focus for him is that the benefits of growth are felt across the whole of North Essex. While the region includes areas of significant prosperity and wealth, deprivation can exist alongside it, including in rural communities where it can be hidden by wider statistics. For him, a thriving North Essex must therefore be one where opportunity reaches everyone. His verdict on North Essex is clear: it offers the best balance and is, in his view, one of the best places in the world to live.

What a thriving North Essex looks like to Cllr Hargreaves
“North Essex may be prosperous overall, but deprivation exists alongside that wealth – even in places like Uttlesford. We need to make sure that growth and opportunity are there for everyone, then we will have a thriving North Essex.”