Thurrock’s New Managing Director Commissioner 

The Government has now announced the appointment of Dr Dave Smith, who will be taking up the position of Managing Director Commissioner on Monday 20 March. A message from Dave and more details about him are below.

This announcement means Ian Wake will be stepping away from his interim position of Acting Chief Executive and back into his substantive role as Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health on Monday 20 March. Ian has supported the Council through an incredibly challenging period, but in doing so has driven real progress and improvement.

My colleagues and I look forward to working alongside Dr Smith and will offer him our full support, as I know will you.

If you have any questions, please do get in touch.

Comment from Dr Dave Smith: Dr Dave Smith, Managing Director Commissioner, Thurrock Council, said: “Thurrock Council is facing some of the greatest challenges ever faced by a local authority, and the scale of the task ahead should not be underestimated.   

“It will require a collective determination, perseverance and understanding from Members, officers, businesses and all our partners across Thurrock, to make the difficult decisions and take the action needed to turn the council around so that it has solid foundations for the future.  

“I will be focused on working together with colleague commissioners, elected members and officers, as well as listening to residents’ views, to continue to make the right choices which are required for improvement and recovery. This will be the only way of restoring confidence in the Council and ensuring it meets the priority needs of Thurrock’s communities.” 

Dr Dave Smith background: Dave most recently held the position of Chief Executive at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, having taken on the role in 2016.  Dave has held senior executive positions within Local Government for the past fifteen years, including seven years as Chief Executive of Sunderland City Council and senior positions at Liverpool City Council and Rotherham Council. 

Dave has made a substantial contribution to the local authorities he has worked for, and more widely at a regional and national level in a number of key strategic public-sector policy areas. 

He has substantial leadership experience and his areas of expertise span corporate leadership, strategic finance, policy and performance, corporate affairs and communications, ICT, intelligence and smarter cities, elections, economic development and regeneration, health and social care.