Clacton Town Board

Our team is dedicated to enhancing the community and improving the lives of our residents.

Meet the board

The Clacton Town Board is made up of local representatives from a number of sectors, all of whom have a thriving Clacton at their heart.

George Kieffer

Appointed as the independent chair of the Board, George has worked extensively in Tendring District and Clacton as Deputy Chairman of the East of England Development Agency, Chairman of the Haven Gateway Partnership and Chair of Judges of the Blue Ribbon business awards. He was Deputy Chairman of Sega Enterprises of Japan, manufacturers of video and arcade games, and is familiar with the important economic contribution of sea-side attractions. He is also a former Chair of Visit Essex.

George Kieffer Linkedin

Ivan Henderson

A lifelong resident of the district, Ivan has lived and worked in the community all his life. He has held elected office in both local and national government, including serving as the Member of Parliament representing Clacton. As Deputy Leader of the Council and lead member for Community Regeneration, Ivan provides strategic leadership across community regeneration projects across the district. Through his role on the Clacton Town Board, he brings extensive political experience, deep local knowledge and a strong commitment to ensuring investment delivers lasting benefits for residents, businesses and the wider community.

Ivan Henderson Linkedin

Lesley Wagland

Deputy to the Deputy Leader for Essex County Council and Special Lead Member with key accountabilities of infrastructure and Freeports

Lesley Wagland Linkedin

Mark Stephenson

Appointed Vice Chairman of the Clacton Town Board, Mark represents local government leadership with responsibility for Finance and Governance. As Leader of the Council, he brings strategic oversight of public finances, corporate governance and long‑term decision‑making, supporting the effective delivery of regeneration priorities. A local resident, Mark has a strong personal commitment to Clacton’s future and works closely with partners across the public and private sectors to ensure investment delivers tangible benefits for residents and businesses. Through his Board role, he brings political leadership, financial scrutiny and a clear link between local regeneration plans and wider council objectives for Clacton and the district.

Find out more about Mark

Neil Gallagher

Neil lives and works in the heart of our district, bringing 30 years of educational expertise to his role as Executive Headteacher. Having led Clacton County High School for over ten years, and more recently Colne Community School, Neil’s approach is rooted in the belief that education is the ultimate life-changer. Neil is a tireless champion for young people, driven by the conviction that every student deserves access to world-class opportunities, regardless of their starting point.

Neil Gallagher Linkedin

Rob Mitchell-Gears

Rob has spent most of his life working in theatre, starting as a performer before moving backstage as technical manager of the Kenneth More in Ilford. Rob returned to the theatre where it all started in 2018, taking on the role of manager of the West Cliff theatre. Having been born and brought up in Clacton, Rob is passionate about the area and the diverse range of arts and entertainment Clacton has to offer for the local community and visitors.

Rob Mitchell-Gears Linkedin

Roger Hirst

Roger Hirst was first elected as Police Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex in 2016 and has since been elected for a third term in May 2024. Roger’s core belief that safe and secure communities are the bedrock on which we build well-being and prosperity for all, remains central to his vision for making Essex safer. A strong advocate of prevention, partnership and people, Roger has worked hard to build a foundation of collaborative working between emergency services, local authorities, councils, the voluntary sector and communities in Essex, believing we can do more and achieve more together. As a result of this, across Tendring, investment has been made in community safety projects, including improved CCTV, lighting, and school-based education on violence against women and girls, alongside wider early‑intervention and youth initiatives and measures to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Roger Hirst Linkedin

Lisa Andrews

Lisa Andrews is a dedicated charity Chief Executive committed to improving the wellbeing of local communities through strong partnership working and inclusive, grassroots delivery. She is known for bringing organisations together, strengthening collaboration, and championing initiatives that increase access to support, reduce inequalities, and empower people to lead healthier, more connected lives. With a leadership style rooted in empathy, integrity, and strategic insight, Lisa has built a trusted reputation across the voluntary, public, and health sectors. She is passionate about ensuring that services reflect real community needs and create lasting, meaningful impact. Driven by a belief in the power of collective action, Lisa works at the heart of communities, enabling sustainable solutions that help individuals and neighbourhoods thrive.

Lisa Andrews Linkedin

Dr Emily Murray

Emily is Director of the Centre for Coastal Communities at the University of Essex. Having grown up in a coastal town, she is passionate about improving health and wellbeing in places like Clacton. With over 20 years’ experience in public health and social research, Emily works with local partners to tackle inequalities and support stronger, healthier communities.

Dr Emily Murray Linkedin

Billy Ball

Billy represents both the Clacton Coastal Tourism Group and the local business community. He is Managing Director of Clacton Pier and is involved in wider family business interests across the attractions, amusements and holiday accommodation sector in the town and district. Billy is part of the Ball family, whose involvement in Clacton’s visitor economy dates back to the 1940s. Under the family’s ownership, Clacton Pier has become a multi-award-winning attraction recognised for quality and ongoing reinvestment. Through his Board role, Billy brings practical commercial experience, supporting sustainable tourism growth and representing the needs of local businesses in the town’s regeneration plans.

Billy Ball Linkedin

Craig Newnes

Craig represents over 35 years working in the Hospitality Industry – being a Business Owner / Franchisee of McDonald’s for 20 years now and owns 4 McDonald’s restaurants in Tendring including Clacton High Street, Brook Park Drive-Thru, Weeley Drive-Thru and Harwich Drive-Thru. Craig employs over 400 staff & managers locally and supports numerous local charities and events over the years. Craig is proud to be a part of the Clacton Town Board and to contribute in every way. Craig looks forward to assisting in developing and executing the plans for Clacton’s regeneration and only wishes to see our wonderful town thrive in every aspect, socially & economically.

Craig Newnes Linkedin

Lynn Stimson

North Essex NHS Health and Wellbeing Alliance

Ian Davidson

Ian Davidson is the longest serving Chief Executive in the country having been with Tendring Council since 2010. Ian has a collegiate approach to delivery, working with Members, staff and external partners to develop and implement significant organisational and culture change whilst delivering significant changes in the community. Ian’s overriding ethos is that the Council should take a community leadership role, working with public sector providers. Ian has national roles, including: undertaking peer reviews of other councils; trustee for a children’s charity; and leading a national initiative for Sport England to use activity to improve health inequalities. Before joining local government Ian worked in the private sector.

Ian Davidson Linkedin

Nigel Farage

Member of Parliament for Clacton

Contact Nigel Farage

Clacton Town Board chairman's welcome message

Terms of reference

The Clacton Town Board has been created to develop a Plan for Neighbourhood for Clacton, comprising a 10-year vision and a four-year Regeneration Plan with a total of £20million over the lifespan of the Plan to deliver long-term, sustainable solutions to towns.

Some Board members are required by the Government as part of the project; others have been chosen because of their skills and expertise – in all cases, being a part of and connected to the local community.

The Board will be responsible for providing a strategic view and leadership for the promotion and development of the town. It will be facilitated by Tendring District Council.

These terms of reference shall be reviewed and updated as required, by agreement of Board members.

Details of meeting agenda and minutes and can be found on the Tendring District Council committees website (opens in a new tab).

Clacton town board

See what we have accomplished as a team

So far we have accomplished lots and are making progress on much more. We look forward to continuing to help Clacton grow and flourish.
Regeneration and Investment