Iain McNab, Head of Policy - Essex Chambers of Commerce
After spells in the health, construction and food & drink sectors Iain joined the then Manpower Services Commission in the faraway 1980s to work on adult & youth training schemes in London. He spent years in a variety of government departments and gained experience of dozens of UK government and EU initiatives, tending to focus on skills, work and regeneration programmes – and more recently on local growth and devolution. Joining the Chamber in late 2023, Iain’s role is to help Chambers’ members navigate central and local government policies which affect them and to represent the Chambers in a range of partnership settings in Essex and across the wider East of England region.

Joanne Giles, Essex LSIP Executive Director - Essex Chambers of Commerce
Jo is a seasoned leader in the skills sector, with over 27 years of experience across public and private sectors, she has held pivotal roles including Director of Apprenticeships at South Essex College Group and Sales Director at Haddon Training, a national provider specialising in equine apprenticeships.
Joanne chairs the Essex Skills Board, co-chairs the Inclusive Stakeholder Alliance, and contributes to the Essex Education Task Force, placing her at the heart of shaping skills policy and further education across the county.
A passionate advocate for inclusive education, Joanne draws on her personal experience within Essex’s education system—both as a student and a parent—to drive meaningful change and create pathways for all.

Tom Walker, Executive Director of People, Policy, Economy and Public Health - Essex County Council
Tom is leading on both Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation as well our Sustainable Growth agenda including business growth, sector strategy, skills and capital investment. Before joining Essex County Council in 2022, Tom was the Director of the Levelling Up Taskforce in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities responsible for writing the Levelling Up White Paper. Tom was a civil servant for over 23 years working on economic growth, regeneration, housing, planning and environment policy. He was previously Director of Environment Strategy at Defra (2019-21), Deputy Chief Executive at Homes England (2017-2019) and Director of the Cities and Local Growth Unit in BEIS and MHCLG (2014-2017).

Julia Gregory, Portfolio Chair & Non-Executive Director - Greater Essex Business Board
Julia has had an illustrious 30 plus year career, and held various executive, chairperson, and non-executive director roles, contributing significantly to both the public and private sector. She has led the strategic direction of multiple companies and has been involved in delivering nationally significant projects worth up to £7 billion. She has extensive experience working with local and national governments, fostering economic development, and promoting social impact. ​Her executive career includes significant roles at Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, Buckinghamshire County Council, Gatwick Airport Limited, and BAA – Stansted Airport Limited​.

Peter Smith, Sponsorship Director - Lower Thames Crossing.