CIEH Conversations: Devolution Revolution

Ian Andrews, Head of Environmental Health, CIEH. Ian joined CIEH in March after working for Operation Jigsaw, a national project hosted by Powys County Council. A Chartered EHP, he has worked for LA's in the Midlands and London and is a former chair of the National Food Hygiene Focus Group.

Jessica Merryfield BSc. (Hons), Dip., DCATS, CTSP, MCTSI, ACIEH, Head of Policy and Campaigns, CTSI. Jessica is the Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), is Chartered Trading Standards Practitioner, as well as being a CTSI Trainer in Food Standards. Jessica has two decades’ experience in a variety of Trading Standards, Environmental Heath and regulatory-based roles across the public and private sector, including being the former chair of the Trading Standards East Midlands Food Standards and Allergens group. Jessica has a particular passion, expertise and specialism in food safety and standards and regularly participates in local, regional and national discussions, in all subject and topic areas that impact the regulatory workforce. Jessica uses her background, skills and breadth of experience to bring a unique insight to these discussions. At CTSI, Jessica is leading on CTSI’s Policy and Campaigns work, including helping CTSI to drive change and build influence externally and championing the work of the Trading Standards profession and workforce. Jessica and her team create evidence and risk-based policies and campaigns from which CTSI can raise awareness and push for change. Jessica graduated with a degree in Environmental Health, before making the switch to Trading Standards, and was awarded the Diploma in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (DCATS) by CTSI. It is believed that Jessica is the first person in the history of both the UK Environmental Health and Trading Standards professions to hold both qualifications.

Simon Fletcher, Chief Executive, Lichfield District Council. Simon is an advocate for public service reform and an experienced civil servant, public sector senior manager, and non-executive director, with a keen interest in the structure and function of local government in a post-Covid world. He is incredibly passionate about the need to rethink the services public sector provides, our role in their provision - and how this marries with place shaping responsibilities and the provision of quality local services.

Trevor Holden, Managing Director, Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council. People focussed and results driven. Trevor is a highly motivational senior leader of large and complex organisations, with a strong track record of building high performing teams that deliver at a local and national level. Currently employed as the Managing Director of Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council, appointed to bring the paid service of the two councils into One Staff Team. Under Trevor’s stewardship, and within 5 years, the One Team have developed a strong culture and ethos, moved into a state-of-the-art single headquarters and is punching well above its weight, locally, regionally and nationally. Recently appointed as the Lead CEX for the District Councils Network; the national body representing District Councils and some Unitary’s across England. Trevor is working with the political leadership to increase its influence and lobby with a focus on benefit and realisation to its membership. Having been a Local Government Chief Executive for 17 years working for both Unitary and District Authorities, Trevor is politically astute with a strong track record of delivering high performance improved productivity and innovation across a range of different environments. Starting his career as an RAF officer, Trevor has served in a range of appointments both home and abroad, developing a strong passion for enabling people to be the best that they can. Delivering an environment of consistently high achievement. In terms of commercial experience, whilst at Luton, as well as CEX of the Unitary authority, Trevor was the CEX officer of London Luton Airport Ltd. During his tenure, the airport saw significant growth. Delivering millions of pounds in profit to support public services within the Town. He is currently Board member of Broadland Growth Limited and Managing Director of Big Sky Living; two wholly owned companies of the respective Councils. Trevor is married to Maxine (Chief Executive – Breckland) and resides in Norfolk, where he can often be seen pounding the roads as an aspirant long-distance runner.