Steve Bish (Chair)
Steve was born in Essex and developed his love for sport and activity at school. This led to a career as a young adult as a professional badminton player, travelling around the world and competing for England. This passion led him to combine education and sport with moving into the world of school sport and physical activity where he has built a career over the last 25 years. Steve has developed the Castle Point and Rochford School Sport Partnership into a nationally renowned organisation with a team of staff supporting all schools with the development of physical activity opportunities. In recent years, he has combined this local role with advisory work for Active Essex and national roles within the Youth Sport Trust. He has extensive experience of project and financial management, along with the skills to manage a team and secure grant funding to create opportunities for local communities.
Steve has built especially strong professional relationships on Canvey Island, working closely with all Canvey schools for over 20 years and playing a connecting role between education, the local community and the wider public sector.
“I am thrilled to be Chair of this Board and relish the challenge to truly make this investment work for the people of Canvey. We have the chance to make a significant positive difference and we will work with the local community every step of the way.”
Cllr. Dave Blackwell
Cllr Blackwell has been active in public life for over thirty years. He was elected in 1995 as a councillor and in 2022 as the Leader of the Castle Point Borough Council. Born on Canvey Island and a resident to date, Cllr. Blackwell is a wildlife enthusiast and keen photographer.
Elected as an Essex County Councillor in 2013, Cllr Blackwell is a committee member for Place, Services and Economic Growth and Scrutiny Committee.
“I am proud to be a member of the Pride in Place Board. I endeavour to advocate strongly for the people of Canvey Island and to see the difference this funding will make to our community.”
Cllr. Lee Scott
Cllr. Scott is a Conservative politician and ex-Member of Parliament (MP) for Ilford North (2005 to 2015). He was a member of the select committee on transport and on the select committee on health. From May 2018 to June 2019, Scott was Special Adviser to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
In the 2021 Essex County Council election he was elected to the ward of Chigwell & Loughton Broadway. He was appointed as Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport that year and in 2024 he moved to the Housing, Planning and Regeneration portfolio, the Cabinet post he currently holds.
Rebecca Harris, MP
Rebecca has served as MP for Castle Point since 2010. Before Parliament, she spent most of her working life in business. Rebecca started as a delivery driver for Phillimore & Co and worked her way up through the company. As specialist publishers of local British history, they published titles on Hadleigh, Thundersley, Canvey Island, and Daws Heath.
In 2017, she joined the Government Whips’ Office and, in 2022, became the first female Comptroller of HM Household in over 600 years. She played a key role in guiding key legislation through Parliament, including Brexit, the Environment Act and the Domestic Abuse Act. As senior Government Whip, Rebecca was ceremonially appointed to positions within the Royal Household and so she took part in the procession for HM Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral and King Charles III’s Coronation, and was awarded a Damehood in 2024 for Political and Public Service. She is currently HM Opposition Chief Whip.
Thea Behrman
Thea Behrman is a cultural producer leading innovative programmes across the estuary region. As Artistic Director & CEO of arts organisation Estuary Festival, she has spearheaded work on Canvey Island that champions community voice, celebrates local identity, and strengthens pride. Her work is focussed on building meaningful collaborations between residents, artists, and partners to support culture and belonging. Thea is committed to creating platforms where culture can drive social change and wellbeing, as well as a deeper sense of connection across coastal communities.
Roger Hirst
Roger is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex. He was appointed to the role in May 2016 and was elected for a third term in May 2024.
Elaine De Can
Elaine is the Town Clerk at Canvey Island Town Council. Formed following a residents’ campaign on the 1st April 2007; it is an elected body corporate with perpetual succession made up of local people representing the interests of the community.
Elaine began her working life at Lloyds Bank working in debt recovery, Human Resources and then Finance. She moved into local government starting her career at the Town Council in April 2008 as the Assistant to the Clerk and progressed from Deputy Clerk to the Town Clerk in October 2010. She is the Chief Executive Officer and Responsible Financial Officer. She has lived on Canvey Island for 41 years and her knowledge of lower tier government and the local community is a positive addition to the board.
Joel Friedman
Joel is Chair of Canvey Jewish Trust Ltd and a local JP on the South Essex bench. He is a Jewish community leader based in Canvey Island, working across local voluntary sector organisations with a focus on governance, compliance and community engagement.
He has over a decade of experience supporting families and working collaboratively with councils, charities and community groups across London and Essex.
Rev. Marion Walford
Marion is an ordained Priest in the Church of England and has served the community of Canvey Island for seventeen years.
Prior to being ordained Marion was a Business Manager at Furtherwick Park Secondary School, which she herself had attended as a pupil after moving to Canvey Island at the age of seven.
Before moving into Education, Marion spent over a decade working in Financial Services in the City of London before the birth of her first child. Marion later went on to have triplets and is proud to have raised her family in Canvey Island.
Alex Hawkins
Alex is the CIO of CYP Yellow Door, a charity that supports young people through counselling, mentoring, youth clubs and detched youth work. She has worked in the voluntary sector on Canvey Island for more than 30 years, supporting young people and the wider community through advice services, food banks and community initiatives.
Outside of work, she is a parent of three children and enjoys listening to podcasts and painting.
Tracy Harris
Tracy is the CEO for Castle Point Association for Voluntary Services.
She is a senior manager with over 30 years’ experience in social housing, third sector organisations and local authorities. This includes extensive strategy and operational leadership of housing related services including Home Improvement Agencies and supported living services; latterly in commissioning and strategy development and leading Southend’s work with communities and the leadership of Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services.
Peter Tassel
Peter is Director of PJT Restaurants. He brings significant experience from his work operating McDonalds franchise restaurants in Canvey and the wider Borough.
Derek Gray
Derek is a Director of Monaco Leisure. He brings over 30 years experience and success in the leisure sector on Canvey Island.
Derek attended school on Canvey and has spent the majority of his life on the seafront. He is honoured to be a part of the Board and do the very best for the community, as he has always endeavoured to do.
Larry Fenttiman
Larry brings over 15 year’s experience as Director of Thamesview130, with particular involvement in cost management, feasibility studies, and strategic business development. In addition, his longstanding role as Owner of Inner London Group reflects more than 40 years of entrepreneurial leadership and commercial experience.
He offers expertise in strategic leadership, collaboration, and the efficient deployment of resources, together with a practical commitment to advancing organisational aims through innovative and cost-effective solutions. He is dedicated to supporting strong governance, empowering teams, and contributing to mission-led outcomes.