A new Finance Commissioner for Thurrock Council has been appointed by the Government. Denise Murray will replace Nicole Wood who stepped down last month.
Denise will join Gavin Jones, Lead Commissioner and Dr Dave Smith, MD Commissioner, in their work to support the council on its recovery journey, and ensure its financial position continues to improve.
Ms Murray has been a Best Value Finance Commissioner since 2023 and formerly a Section 151 Officer from 2015- 2024, most recently for Bristol City Council. She is also currently the Finance Commissioner for Slough Borough Council. Her Government appointment to Thurrock runs until 1 September 2025.
Responding to the announcement, Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, said:
“I am pleased to welcome Denise Murray to Thurrock as our new Finance Commissioner. There’s no doubt the job of helping the council turn its finances around is a big one, after the significant mistakes of the past, but Denise can build on the work of her predecessor to help us keep heading in the right direction. The council has made really good progress over the last year in recovering lost money; finding millions of pounds of savings; and getting our budget into a much better place. We all look forward to working with Denise and our excellent Chief Financial Officer to maintain our close focus on financial recovery.”