Governance and leadership
Click on the images to understand more about our governance team. Our president and vice-presidents are appointed annually, and our chair and vice-chars are two-year appointments, serving a maximum of four years. The roles are appointed at our Annual General Meeting.
Cllr Iain Hamilton
Cllr Iain Hamilton was elected as our chair in 2026 and serves as a councillor of Halewood Town Council in Merseyside. His vision for the sector focuses on strengthening engagement with county associations, supporting parish and town councils to navigate emerging challenges, and promoting diverse representation and transparent communication. He is a strong advocate for the development of practical training and best-practice resources, alongside a forward-looking approach to ensure parish and town councils are equipped for the future. Cllr Hamilton has worked as a software developer and IT consultant in the healthcare sector, specialising in CRM and financial systems, and now designs web applications for third-sector organisations, bringing valuable digital and analytical expertise to his leadership role.
Cllr Sue Baxter
Cllr Sue Baxter is our current vice-chair (finance and resources) and vice-president, having previously served as the chair between 2016 and 2021. She was our first female chair and brings significant experience in governance, strategy and financial oversight. She is a current councillor and former chair at her local council, Wythall Parish Council in Worcestershire, and an independent member and deputy leader of Bromsgrove District Council, where she is also Finance Cabinet Member with responsibility for a £14 million budget. She believes that local people best understand their area's needs and that by making more decisions about the local services they value, they can build thriving communities.
Cllr David Francis
Cllr David Francis has dedicated his career to rural community development and local governance. Beginning as a planner in Lincolnshire, he pursued a PhD in rural community development, conducted national research, and held leadership roles in rural community councils. He has been the chair of his local parish council since 1987 and involved with NALC since 1983. He is also an active member of the Friends of the ACRE Network and has co-authored books on rural community development.
Baroness Ros Scott
Baroness Ros Scott of Needham Market has been our president since 2021. She is a current member of the House of Lords. Her key policy focuses centre around agriculture, animals, food and rural affairs, communities and families, energy and environment, housing and planning, and transport. Baroness Scott is an advisory board member for the Institute for Volunteering Research and a Community Action Suffolk and Industry and Parliament Trust trustee. She was also the party president for the Liberal Democrats between 2009 and 2011.
Baroness Bennett
Baroness Natalie Bennett of Manor Castle has been our vice-president since 2021 and is a current member of the House of Lords. She was the leader of the Green Party of England and Wales between 2012 and 2016. She has served as a member of the Board of the Green European Foundation and as a trustee for the Fawcett Society.
The Earl of Lytton
The Earl of Lytton has been vice-president since 2021, serving as president between 2000 and 2015. He has been a member of the House of Lords since 2011. His previous roles include chair of the RICS Boundaries & Party Walls Professional Panel, fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and chair of the Rights of Way Review Committee.
Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE
Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE is a member of the House of Lords whose career spans local and national public service. She was the leader of Wiltshire County Council and then the first Leader of the unitary Wiltshire Council from 2003 until 2019, playing a central role in modernising local government and strengthening public services at the county level. Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to local government in 2010, she was created a life peer in 2015 and has since served in government roles including Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Housing and Faith and as a Government Whip in the House of Lords. Baroness Scott continues to contribute to national policy debates as a Shadow Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, bringing decades of experience in governance, statutory leadership and legislative work to her role.
Click on the images to learn more about our leadership team.
Jonathan Owen
Jonathan Owen became chief executive in 2014. He is committed to raising the profile of parish and town councils and giving them a strong voice on the national stage. His interest in local government began during his doctoral studies at the University of Bristol. His previous experience includes ten years of national public affairs lobbying in government and parliament, fifteen years at the board level with a prominent London Borough, an English district, and as head of policy at an award-winning county council. He has experience in corporate and frontline service delivery, including leading improvement programmes and delivering savings.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7290 0307
- X:
- @NALCchiefexec
Justin Griggs
Justin Griggs has been the deputy chief executive since 2026 and has held several roles since joining the organisation in 2000. He has previously worked for a district council, a unitary council, and in the private sector. Justin has experience leading national campaigns, influencing parliament and successive governments, and overseeing significant programmes. He has played an important role in our campaigns to change legislation, including efforts to give parish and town councils more powers, reform business rates, establish new parish or town councils, and secure government funding.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7290 0317
- X:
- @JustinGriggs
