Dan defines his role in Essex as ‘managing relationships between ourselves, our partners and our communities to secure improved, value for money, outcomes for citizens’. In the thrifty, post-LAA, era this role has been evolving at pace.

Dan chairs the national Taking the Lead Network and has been proactive in lobbying for devolved powers through ‘whole systems’ approaches to public service reform.

In 2009/10 Dan led two ‘total place’ projects investigating complex multi-agency issues such as NEETs and Children’s Safeguarding, and is currently place lead for the Essex Community Budget pilot ‘EssexFamily’ for families with multiple problems.

Having had specialist policy roles in sustainable development, coastal and rural matters, in his previous role Dan managed a European network delivering business innovation support in a number of EU and Accession countries. He later helped develop the Interreg IVA ‘2 Seas’ Operational Programme.