Martin Esom

Martin was the Chief Executive of Waltham Forest Council, a position he held from 2010 until his retirement in 2023.

During his time at the Council, he led on a national award-winning gang prevention programme, a multi-agency child sexual exploitation protection strategy and between 2012 and 2018 was Chair of the London Prevent Board which drives critical work in relation to counter-terrorism and anti-radicalisation across the capital.

He also tookforward the regeneration of the borough, focussing on returning streets to walking and cycling though the multi award winning Enjoy Waltham Forest programme.

Other significant success include transforming the leisure and culture offer for residents, culminating in the Council’s successful bid to become both London’s first ever London Borough of Culture and then MJ Local Authority of the Year in 2019. He is a trustee of the William Morris Gallery, the first and only museum dedicated to the artist and writer in the UK.

Most recently, and in direct response to Covid-19, Martin took on the role of London Local Authority Strategic Co-ordination Chief Executive (London Gold) where he was responsible for coordinating activity across all London boroughs and a member of the London Strategic Coordination Group (SCG).

Martin sits on the Board of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a Non-Executive Director and also Chairs the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee.

Martin has a Masters Degree in Business Administration and holds a range of technical qualifications including health and safety and acoustics & noise control.