About us

Steve Jarvis has been Leader of Hertfordshire County Council since May 2025. He is also a member of the Hertfordshire Futures board and has been Hertfordshire County Councillor for Royston West & Rural since 2017. He is also a North Herts District Councillor and was the council’s cabinet member for Environment & Leisure from 2019 to 2024. Prior to this Steve worked in technology industries as a senior manager in global IT and telecoms companies before starting a small business software company in Hertfordshire which he led for 20 years.

Angie Ridgwell joined Hertfordshire County Council in September 2024 as Chief Executive, from Lancashire County Council where she was Chief Executive and Director of Resources for over six years. Prior to that she was Director General, Finance and Corporate Services at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). A qualified accountant by profession Angie’s work has focused on improving public services. Angie has worked in a wide range of public sector bodies and local authorities, principally as Chief Executive or Director of Finance. These include Bristol City Council, Thurrock Council, Coventry City Council and Bridgnorth District Council.

Peter Taylor has been the Elected Mayor of Watford since 2018 and joined Hertfordshire LEP Board in September 2019. Before becoming Elected Mayor, he worked as a teacher and Assistant Director for the Catholic Education Service. He served as a councillor in Watford since 2012 and lives in Oxhey with his wife and three young children. Peter is Chair of Hertfordshire Growth Board.

Donna Nolan joined Watford Borough Council as its first female Chief Executive in February 2020. Former Deputy Chief Executive of Mendip District Council, Donna has led a range of successful regeneration and commercial programmes in both the public and private sector. Donna works closely with Watford’s Elected Mayor to ensure the council’s strategic commitments can be implemented, including its ambitious plans for sustainable regeneration.

Richard Henry was elected to Stevenage Borough Council in May 1995 and has held a number of executive positions. He became Leader of Stevenage Borough Council in on 1st January 2023 and has the portfolio ‘Transforming Stevenage’ which includes regeneration. Richard served a term on Hertfordshire County Council from 2013/2017. His professional background includes Social Work, managing Multidisciplinary Mental Health Teams and teaching Health & Social Care at North Herts College. He is a passionate advocate of Stevenage Re-imagined – the council’s long term Cultural Strategy, leisure facilities for residents and the work the council does to support sport and young people across the town. Richard is Vice Chair of Hertfordshire Growth Board.

Tom Pike joined Stevenage Borough Council in 2016 as a Strategic Director, became Deputy CEO in 2019 and CEO in April 2025. Tom has played a key role in commencing the regeneration of the town. This includes building a regeneration team, developing the vision and long-termer plans with partners, securing over £60m government funding via Growth Deal funding packages and the Towns Fund, and starting delivery on the ground. Tom has worked closely with local businesses and partners, with a growing life science cluster and space sector rapidly expanding in Stevenage, and with potential for 15,000 new jobs by 2040. This is supported by innovative work with local partners, college, university and employers to provide routes into great jobs for local people. In his previous roles, Tom led teams delivering new Council homes, with over 500 delivered in the last decade and plans to build 1000 new Council homes. He also oversaw strategic planning and growth, with a Local Plan secured in 2019 and now reflected in delivery on the ground. In his previous organisations, Tom has led the delivery of major capital projects, transformation, service performance and management of operations including environment services, libraries and museums. Tom has a PhD in Business Studies.

Jeremy Newmark was appointed as Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council in May 2023, having been first elected to the authority in 2017 and becoming principal opposition leader shortly afterwards. Cllr Newmark was elected Chair of the Hertfordshire Growth Board in July 2024. As member for Borehamwood’s Cowley Hill Ward he represents an area that scores particularly highly on the national indices of multiple depravation. Jeremy previously chaired Hertsmere’s Shareholder and Investment Committee and served on Planning, Licensing and Policy Review Committees. He has a professional background in political communications with specialisms in housing and transport-related issues. Jeremy has previously headed a national third sector organisation and worked for seven years as spokesperson for the former Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks. Jeremy is Vice Chair of Hertfordshire Growth Board.

Sajida Bijle is the Chief Executive of Hertsmere Borough Council. Prior to this she was the Director of Resources and Corporate Director for Hertsmere BC for over 15 years. Sajida is also Company Secretary to Elstree Film Studios Limited and an Accountant and Lawyer by profession.

Corina Gander was appointed as Leader of the Borough of Broxbourne Council in May 2025 having been first elected to the authority in 2023. She has lived in the Borough all her life and is only the second female Leader of the Council in its 50 year history. She was previously Cabinet Member for Housing and Community and is a ward councillor for the Goffs Oak ward in the west of the Borough.

Jeff Stack is the Chief Executive of Broxbourne Borough Council in southeast Hertfordshire. He joined the Council in 2008 as the Director of Environmental Services and became Chief Executive in 2013. Prior to this, he worked for a variety of councils and in the housebuilding industry. He is a chartered town planner and has been a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since 1985.

Cllr Sally Symington is the Leader of the Council at Dacorum Borough Council and the elected Borough Councillor for Berkhamsted West since 2019. She also serves as a Hertfordshire County Councillor for the Tring Division, where she is the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Adult Care Services, bringing strategic leadership across both tiers of local government. With portfolios spanning local government reorganisation, adult social care, health and wellbeing integration, and strategic partnerships, Sally plays a central role in shaping policy, service delivery and long-term planning across Hertfordshire. She chairs key multi agency groups, contributes to major transformation programmes, and is an active member of the Hertfordshire Leaders Group, ensuring strong collaboration between district, county, and external partners. As Leader, she is committed to resident focused services, community engagement, and strengthening local democracy – particularly during the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation programme, where she has represented Dacorum and helped steer joint work among Hertfordshire Councils. Sally’s focus is on improving outcomes for residents – whether through better health and social care integration, effective transformation of Council services, or advocating for the needs and aspirations of communities across Dacorum and wider Hertfordshire. Her work regularly involves partnership with NHS bodies, voluntary sector organisations, neighbouring councils, and national agencies as she leads Dacorum through a period of significant change and opportunity.

Darren Welsh graduated with a first class honours degree in Housing Studies, and has worked in local government for over 30 years and been a Chief Officer/Director in 5 local authorities, specialising in Housing, Regeneration, and service change and transformation. During this time, he has also set up and chaired a development company, an award-winning joint venture, and started one of the first young persons’ foyers project in the country. In addition, he has been co-Director lead for Retrofit London; a member of the national reference group on homelessness; and pan London housing lead for adult safeguarding. He is currently Interim Chief Executive for Dacorum Borough Council in Hertfordshire, where he is responsible for all Council services including housing, environment, leisure, regeneration and planning.

Ben Crystall has lived in Hertfordshire for over 20 years. He has served on East Herts District Council since 2019 and became the East Herts Green Party’s first-ever representative on Hertfordshire County Council in 2021. As a member of the district council’s planning committee and the county’s Environment Cabinet Panel, Ben has advocated for policies that safeguard the environment and promote sustainable growth. Prior to this, Ben enjoyed a successful 10-year scientific career. He has a PhD in solar energy and spent 18 years as a writer and editor for the New Scientist magazine. Ben was elected Leader of East Herts District Council in May 2023.

Helen Standen was appointed as CEO in August 2025 after her successful tenure as Interim CEO at East Hertfordshire District Council in 2024. She started at East Herts in June 2016 as Strategic Director and became Deputy CEO at East Herts in April 2018. She has worked previously across all tiers of local government, including central government, county council and internationally advising the overseas territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristam de Cunha. Helen is also a Senior Peer for the LGA, undertaking Corporate Peer Reviews.

Val Bryant, is the Leader of North Herts Council, ward councillor for Hitchin Bearton. First elected as a councillor in 2018, she has held several senior leadership roles, including Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Customer Experience before being formally elected Leader in January 2026. Val brings extensive experience across committees and partnership bodies – including planning, community forums, and the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Panel – reflecting her strong record of cross organisation working.

Anthony Roche has been Managing Director of NHDC since July 2020, having previously served as Deputy Chief Executive from 2017. A lawyer by background, he started in private practice before switching to the public sector and NHDC in 2008.

Paul de Kort, Liberal Democrat councillor for Harpenden East Ward since 2021, is Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of the Council. He is also chair of the Council’s Strategy & Resources Committee and the Planning Policy & Climate Committee. Paul’s career included 15 years in the oil industry (commercial & development management), and 23 years in state secondary education including 16 years as Head of Sixth form. He was elected as a County Councillor in Hertfordshire in 2021.

Amanda Foley is Chief Executive at St Albans City and District Council. She was appointed in 2017, previously holding the post of Head of Corporate Services. Amanda, who lives in the district with her family, joined the Council in 2009 from Ofsted – the Government’s Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. She was Ofsted’s Head of HR Strategy and has worked across a range of sectors and industries including banking, retail and the Civil Service.

Stephen Giles-Medhurst was first elected as the youngest elected councillor in the country at the time onto the London Borough of Harrow Council in 1978, being at the time the sole Liberal Councillor. He served as a councillor Harrow, including a term as Mayor in 1995-96, and Chair of various Committees for 20 years before moving to Three Rivers in 1999. He became the district councillor for Leavesden in 2000, an Abbots Langley parish councillor in 2008 and the county councillor for Central Watford and Oxhey in 2001. During his time as a district councillor, Cllr Giles-Medhurst held various lead member portfolios and chaired several committees. Most notably, Cllr Giles-Medhurst became the deputy leader of the council in July 2020 under Cllr Sarah Nelmes’ leadership. He was also the lead member for the Local Plan – a role he still has until the Local Plan is adopted. Outside of politics, Cllr Giles-Medhurst was a civil servant for 35 years in various roles and later in law enforcement with HM Customs & Excise before taking early retirement from his final position as Head of Customs at Stanstead Airport in October 2010

Joanne Wagstaffe was appointed as Three Rivers’ new Chief Executive Officer on 3 February 2020 and was shared Director of Resources with both Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council from 2013. Previously, Jo was the Director of Resources at Wyre Forest District Council; Director of Resources and Transformation at Copeland Borough Council; and an Assistant Director at Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council. Jo also has extensive private sector experience.

Rose Grewal was elected as a Labour Councillor in 2023 and, since 2024, has served as Welwyn Hatfield’s Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration. She has championed strategic plan making and securing distinctive, sustainable and well-designed places in new development proposals. She was elected Leader in February 2026. Rose has previously led partnership organisations focusing on the River Thames and Upper Lea Valley in London, promoting cross boundary strategic planning rooted in nature led approaches. Her work focused on strengthening understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and environmental value of nature within the urban setting. Before taking early retirement in 2018, she oversaw the delivery of the multi award winning Walthamstow Wetlands—one of Europe’s largest urban wetland nature reserves—from concept through construction to its successful opening.

Ka Ng is Chief Executive of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and the lead Chief Executive on Hertfordshire Growth Board. She began her career at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in 2009 as a management accountant. After a few periods outside the council, she returned in 2016 to take on her current role, along with being the council & chief financial officer.

Neil Rutledge is Director of Amberside Advisors Ltd and Acting Chair of Hertfordshire Futures Board. He is Chair of the Assessment Panel, which is responsible for reviewing bids for new projects, as well as the Herts IQ Board, which oversees the county’s Enterprise Zone.

Neil Hayes is Chief Executive of Hertfordshire Futures, Director of Economy and Skills at Hertfordshire County Council and the Interim Director of the Hertfordshire Growth Board. He has overseen its development from its inception, helping to ensure that its long-term priorities set out in its Strategic Economic Plan (2017-2030) are delivered for the county, securing over £309m EU funding and UK government investment. The LEP’s Local Industrial Strategy continues to build on that vision by building on the county’s economic strengths to create opportunities for all its residents.

Julia Krause joined Homes England in January 2024. Prior to joining Homes England, she worked extensively in the public and private sectors where she focused on the delivery of housing and infrastructure projects across the UK. At Homes England, Julia leads the South East team within the Markets, Partners and Places Directorate, where she works with partners to identify, develop, and provide support to large-scale, complex and innovative projects across the region.

As Director for Neighbourhood Health and Partnerships for Hertfordshire, Ed leads work with place-based partnerships for this area. His role is to make sure that services are designed and delivered to meet local needs by collaborating with local health and care organisations and other key partner organisations. Ed joins the ICB from Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, where he was Development Director for the Mental Health, Learning Disability and Neurodiversity Health and Care Partnership. Ed has experience in the both the NHS and local government. He is committed to delivering through multi-agency partnerships and working with local communities so that services are accessible, joined-up and promote residents’ independence and wellbeing.

Jonathan Ash-Edwards was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire in May 2024. Hertfordshire resident Mr Ash-Edwards comes to the role with a background as a local Councillor in Sussex for 16 years, including as a Council Leader, as well as founding an education trust now responsible for the education of over 3,500 young people. Jonathan chaired a high performing Community Safety Partnership for four years, giving him a significant insight into effective strategies for crime prevention and tackling anti-social behaviour. Mr Ash-Edwards has also been a serial business builder, he started his first business at the age of 24 and has led a company delivering major projects to clients across a range of sectors.

Professor Anthony Woodman joined the University of Hertfordshire on 1 September 2025 as its fourth Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive. He is responsible for the decision making affecting the delivery of strategic and operational plans and performance, the day-to-day running of the University, it’s internal structure and organisation, and the interface with external bodies and agencies. Having graduated from Sunderland Polytechnic in 1986, Anthony gained a MSc in Experimental Pathology and Toxicology in 1987 and a PhD in 1993 both from the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, University of London.   He was Professor of Translational Medicine at Cranfield University until 2007, and more recently Provost at the University of West London. His research in molecular oncology and particularly the role of biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic tools has been undertaken in collaboration with a number of international pharmaceutical companies.