THE senior council officer who will help shape greater Essex's new mayoral authority has been named.

Ahead of the creation of a new county-wide mayor and establishment of control over many regional governance operations which will take place in May next year following an election, a 'shadow' Greater Essex Combined Authority will launch shortly. Its work will then be incorporated into the new mayor's office.

Its interim CEO will be Tom Walker, currently the Executive Director for Policy, Economy, Investment and Public Health at Essex County Council.

A statement issued by Essex County Council and Southend and Thurrock unitary authorities – who ran the joint recruitment process - today (Friday, 21 November) says Mr Walker 'brings extensive experience both in Essex and previously in national government, economic growth, regeneration, housing, planning, and environment policy to the role'.

It continues by saying: "This appointment marks a significant milestone in Greater Essex's devolution journey and the ability to seize the opportunities that devolution will bring, to drive growth, attract investment and create prosperity across communities.

"The combined authority is not a service delivery body, like a council, rather it is a strategic body that will drive economic growth across a whole economic area using powers and funding devolved from central government.

"A multi-million-pound investment fund is expected to be confirmed shortly as the legislation is laid in Parliament to create the new combined authority.

On his appointment Mr Walker said: "Devolution is a huge opportunity for Greater Essex. Devolution gives us more of the tools to shape our own future, drive business and housing growth, strengthen our economy and invest in the skills that will power prosperity for generations to come.

"I look forward to working with partners across Greater Essex over the coming months to create a new organisation working for the whole system and ensuring the new Mayor of Greater Essex and the combined county authority they lead delivers real impact from day one."

The new combined authority will come under the leadership of a directly elected mayor from May 2026. Currently Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council are working on the operating model, constitution and governance framework to ensure the organisation is ready to deliver from the outset.

The combined authority will come into being (known as 'vesting day') in spring 2026, with elections for the Mayor of Greater Essex on May 7, 2026.

Nub News has asked the joint councils what the salary of Mr Walker will be but has not had a response. Similar posts around the country pay between £180,000 and £200,000 with some similar senior roles fulfilled on day rates of between £1,000 and £1,500, allowing officers to carry out other jobs at the same time. 

Mr Walker, whose salary at Essex CC is last listed as £174,178, joined the council in April 2022.

He previously spent his career in Whitehall, working predominantly in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

He has led national policy, delivered on environment, cities and regional policy, neighbourhood planning, and local government reform. Mr Walker has also worked in the Cabinet Office leading the Levelling Up Task Force.

He is the Chair of Abney Park Trust, a small voluntary run charity, in his home borough of Hackney.