CCN Team

The CCN has seven full time members of staff located at Local Government House in Westminster.

Simon Edwards, Director

simon.edwards@local.gov.uk
0207 664 3002
Simon is the Director of CCN, responsible for leadership of the organisation, business management and all aspects of CCNs membership. Working with the Chairman and leading members Simon has led the transformation of CCN into an influential and respected network which advocates innovative policy solution on the challenges facing local government and the wider public sector.

James Maker, Head of Policy & Communications

james.maker2@local.gov.uk
0207 664 3009
James is responsible for the delivery of CCN’s full portfolio of policy and research aimed at influencing Government on behalf of our member councils and supporting the delivery of effective and efficient local services. James also oversees CCN’s communications, parliamentary, Whitehall and public affairs engagement work.

Michael Chard, Senior Policy Officer

michael.chard@local.gov.uk
0207 664 3198
Mike leads the CCNs work on people-based areas of the networks policy and research. He leads work across adults and childrens social care, alongside CCN advocacy on education, particularly CCNs engagement on schools funding, and he leads the networks work on health and social care reform and integration.

Elizabeth Hunter-Gray, Senior Policy Officer

elizabeth.hunter-gray@local.gov.uk
0207 664 3006
Liz leads on the CCNs place-based policy areas and research. This includes leading work on economic growth, devolution, public sector reform, and local government finance. Recently, she has overseen the networks engagement and policy positions on business rate reforms, the Industrial Strategy, the Housing White Paper, and the fair funding review.

Victoria Moloney, Public Affairs Officer

victoria.moloney@local.gov.uk
0207 664 3019
Victoria leads on Public Affairs at CCN. She is responsible for the networks Parliamentary, stakeholder, and membership engagement; providing the avenues for CCN to influence policy-makers and wider stakeholders. She also provides policy support to the CCN team.

Ian Burbidge, Media and Communications Officer

ian.burbidge@local.gov.uk
0207 664 3018
Ian is responsible for CCNs communications, marketing, and public affairs support. In his role, Ian leads both external and internal communications, including press releases, media relationships, newsletters, and articles. He acts as the first port of call for journalists.

Business Support Officer

countycouncilsnetwork@local.gov.uk
0207 664 3011
The business support officer supports the director on the effective and efficient management of CCN business processes, including finance, programme management, CCN Annual Conference, meetings and events, member and stakeholder information.