Nicole Wood
Chief Executive (CEO)
Salary: £228,753 with the 2025 pay award pending.
Nicole has been the Chief Executive of Essex County Council (ECC) since February 2025.
Nicole joined Essex County Council in 2008 after working at Hackney, the Audit Commission and Oldham. Since 2008 she has held a number of roles across the organisation, progressing her career and building experience and understanding of the authority.
Over the last couple of years, Nicole has been part of ECC’s Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) as Corporate Services Executive Director. Our Corporate Services teams are responsible for providing professional, efficient and effective support services across the organisation. While in this role Nicole also held the role of the Section 151 Officer. This is a statutory appointment under Section 151 of the local government Act 1972, which requires every local authority to make arrangements for the proper administration of their financial affairs, and to ensure one of their officers has responsibility for those affairs. On her appointment as Chief Executive, the S151 role and responsibilities were awarded to a senior member of the Corporate Services team.
Nicole was appointment as Finance Commissioner for Thurrock Council from September 2022 to February 2025. She was also the president of Society County Treasurers from January 2024- January 2025.
Within corporate support services, Nicole has a passion for professional excellence and reputation of support – promoting new talent through apprenticeships, interns and graduates. Nicole has also represented on various regional and national working groups in her capacity as an Essex finance leader and has been an enthusiastic Local Government Association peer reviewer.
Contact
Email: nicole.wood@essex.gov.uk
Declaration of interests
Read a full breakdown of our senior officers' declarations of interest.
Gifts and hospitality
None
Mileage and expenses
Mileage and expenses 2021 to 2022 (XLS, 11.75KB)