The NACO Executive Committee is responsible for running the organisation and arranging the Training Events. The Committee of 29 is elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting each year. In addition it may co-opt up to 6 members.
Paul Millward, who had been the Chair of NACO since its inception, retired as Chair in 2021 and the Committee elected as its Chair, Tracy Frisby. The Committee wished to acknowledge the immense contribution Paul had made to the Association by appointing him President of the Association with an ex officio position on the Executive which would be in addition to the maximum of 29 elected members.
Chair of NACO
Tracy Frisby
Elected 8 June 2021
I have worked in local government since leaving school, all of it with Cleethorpes Borough Council which, under LGR 1996, became the unitary authority of North East Lincolnshire, when combined with Great Grimsby Borough Council. I have worked in the Civic Office for six years and thrive on the variety this role brings to my work. I am delighted to have been elected as Chair of NACO; an association which guided me so much in my early days of civic life. I wish to build on the success of the association to date and to ensure that our members are enabled, with resources and information, to keep their roles relevant and pivotal to local authority work. We are an association that pride ourselves on offering what our members need, rather than tell you what we think you need and to ensure that is successful we encourage you to engage with us; whether using the Message Board, accessing the variety of resources available or indeed by getting in touch with a member of the Executive. We have over 1,000 members from all types of local authority and with your knowledge, experience and good practice, we wish to develop further and build on our solid foundations.
Vice Chair, Pat, managed to capture this image of some of the NACO Executive at their meeting in October 2020!
2023-2024 Executive Committee
Sarah Asquith - East Riding of Yorkshire
Biographical Notes Awaited
.Jim Babbington OBE - Retired Civic Officer
Vice Chair NACO
Having served as Chief of Staff to Mayors of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Jim now utilises his knowledge and understanding of civic, public and ceremonial life to undertake ceremonial consultancy and freelance civic, ceremonial and event management work. He works with central government, local authorities and other agencies, giving guidance on national ceremonial and responding to queries from across the U.K. He is one of NACO’s two vice-chairmen. Jim was awarded an OBE in the 2023 Birthday Honours for his work on behalf of NACO in connection with the Funeral Arrangements for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Michelle Beaumont - London Boroughs of Richmond & Wandsworth
NACO Training Officer
Michelle has worked in Democratic and Member Service roles since 2013, at both the London Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth and Spelthorne Borough Council. In 2016 Michelle moved away from the Civic Office to work in Democratic Services and has been a Director of ADSO. Michelle returned to the Civic Office in 2021 for just over a year before moving back into Democratic Services and becoming ADSO's Qualifications Manager. Michelle was recently appointed Training Officer for NACO and will be working with the Chair and the Executive to lookk at a potential learning programme for NACO members.
Jacqui Brazil - London Borough of Southwark
Jacqui is Civic Officer and Private Secretary to the Mayor of Southwark and previously worked for the Mayoralty in Henley on Thames. Through the organisation of many large-scale ceremonial and fund raising events over the years, in both Oxfordshire and now Southwark, she has gained an extensive knowledge of protocol, etiquette and considerable diplomacy as well as the practical aspects of event management.
Caroline Breckell MVO, DL, Surrey Lieutenancy
Caroline is Deputy Clerk to the Surrey Lieutenancy, supporting the Lord Lieutenant, arranging Royal Visits and assisting with Honours and Garden Party nominations, managing the Lieutenancy website and social media. She is a member of four Lieutenancy Groups and is the Co-ordinator of and an assessor for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Panel.
A Company Secretary Caroline has been Under Sheriff since 2008 and for 30 years she led on the civic function for Surrey. She was appointed an MVO in 2011 and is a Freeman of the City of London.
Anita Cund, Oakengates Town Council
Anita worked for City of Wolverhampton Council for over 29 years. During that time Anita worked on many interesting events including the celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the visit of Queen Victoria to Wolverhampton to unveil the famous statue in Queen Square which is a tribute to the Prince Consort. Anita was also involved with the arrangements for a special ceremony and march through the City by HMS Forward who were granted Freedom of Entry to the City of Wolverhampton. Anita decided to move on to pastures new in 2022 and was appointed as Town Clerk at Oakengates Town Council.
Sue Dunkley - Erewash Borough Council
Sue has worked in local government for 41 years, most of those with Erewash Borough Council and 38 years being in its Civic Office. She has recently taken flexible retirement and works 2.5 days a week. As well as looking after the diaries of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Sue is responsible for organising all civic events for the authority which includes two twinning associations. She also offers administrative support to all members of the borough council and assists with democratic and electoral work as and when required. Sue has also for the past 26 years been the Clerk to two local parish councils and is happy to offer advice to other clerks if needed. .
Tracy Frisby - North East Lincolnshire Council
Chair - NACO
I have been in local government for around 30 years, over 20 of them with North East Lincolnshire Council and previously 6 years with the former Cleethorpes Borough Council. Of this time, I have spent 20 years in the Registration Service and was then awarded the additional areas of Civic and Mayoral Office a few years ago. Already I am passionate about this area of local government and am determined to retain the treasured history while developing 21st century Mayors. I am very proud to have been asked to Chair the NACO Executive Committee.
Penny Harrison - Retired Civic Officer
Secretary NACO
Now retired Penny has over 30 years’ experience as a Civic Officer. She worked in the House of Commons before going to the Lord Mayor of London's Office and then as Civic Officer for the Borough of King's Lynn & West Norfolk. Currently Secretary of NACO she has been an Executive Member since the Association was formed. She says that one of the great benefits of being Secretary of NACO is the opportunity it has given her to keep in touch with colleagues in all parts of the UK. She is a Freeman of the City of London. and a former Chairman and Founder Member of the Society of Young Freemen of the City.
Maria Horne - Haywards Heath Town Council
.Maria has worked in the Civic Office since 216 but previously she was in the financial software industry as Head of Marketing for the Asia Pacific residing in Hong Kong and Australia. She is Mayor's PA for Haywards Heath Town Council and their Marketing Communications Officer. She enjoyed organising a grand twinning anniversary gala night to celebrate 20 and 25 years of twinning with Bondue, France and Traunstein, Bavaria, helping the Mayor host his counterparts and delegates from the three towns.
Margaret Humphrey - London Borough of Camden
Margaret has worked in Camden since 1982 and has been Mayor’s Officer for the some 20 plus years. Margaret is an active member of the Executive and being in the heart of London, Camden often plays host to our training days. Margaret, along with Jim Babbington, also co-ordinates meetings of the Network for Civic Officers for London borough members.
Alexandra Kowalczuk - Former Civic Officer
Alex worked in various civic offices in Leicestershire for 30 years with her last position being Head of the Civic, Members, Executive, Events and Town Hall Operations for Leicester City Council. After being made redundant in 2012, Alex set up her own company Alexandra K Ltd - The Business Fixer, where she now works with Businesses and Organisations to achieve their goals and help them grow.
Margaret Lobo - London Borough of Bromley
Margaret had worked in industry before she took on the role of PA to the Director of Education in Croydon and then moved to Hammersmith and Fulham as PA to the Leader and Deputy Leader. Margaret joined Bromley as PA to the Chief Executive and finally moved across to the Mayoralty in 2014 as the Mayoral Services Manager; a role that she enjoys greatly. Margaret’s previous roles has given her the experience and fortitude to manage the ever changing needs of the Mayoralty.
Liz McCarthy Adur and Worthing Councils
Liz joined Worthing Borough Council nearly 20 years ago as a Democratic Services Assistant. In 2011 she moved into the Mayoral Office and currently supports both the Worthing and Adur Councils' Civic Heads. Her varied role which faces the challenges of ever decreasing budgets and restrictions makes her determined to ensure that the traditions and values of the civic office are upheld and maintained to high standards while embracing the changes ahead.
Paul Mayhew - Brentwood Borough Council
Deputy Treasurer - NACO
Paul has worked for Brentwood Borough Council since 2004 as Chauffeur to the Mayor. In 2010 there was a restructure of the civic office and together with the Mayors of that year, the ceremonial traditions and protocols associate with the office of the Mayor were re-introduced to the Borough. Paul became the Borough's Macebearer in 2010 joining the Guild of Macebearers in 2012.
Paul Millward - Nottingham City Council
President - NACO
Paul, who has worked at Nottingham City Council for about 35 years, has been involved in promoting civic networks since 1992 and was the driving force behind the formation of NACO. He has an extensive collection of civic books and remains passionate about keeping Civic offices relevant and productive in the changing local government environment. He’s not really as mean as some people think. He was Chair of NACO from its inception until June 2021 when he was appointed President.
Philip O'Brien - Erewash Borough Council
Communications Officer NACO
Phil joined Derby City Council as Assistant Mayor's Officer in 1984 taking early retirement in March 2015, having progressed to Head of Democratic Services. A founder member of the Civic Secretaries Group, which became NACO, Phil is convinced of the benefits of professional networking. In 'retirement' Phil is developing a consultancy and is Macebearer for Erewash Borough Council, maintaining close links to civic life.
Alison Orde - St Albans City & District Council 
Alison has worked for St Albans City and District Council for some 30 years. She has worked on many interesting projects including St Albans becoming “Mayfair” on the monopoly board and has a wealth of experience and works closely with stakeholders in upholding civic life in St Albans. As one of the five Magna Carta towns, St Albans was privileged to host the actual document as part of its 800th celebrations.
Angela Richardson - London Borough of Barnet
Angela has worked in the Civic office since 2007. Formerly a Civil Servant with the MOD, Angela is also a Colonel in the Army Cadet Force serving as Commandant for Middlesex and North West London ACF. Angela is also the On Call Resilience Advisor and Silver with the Borough Emergency Planning Team and the Borough Armed Forces Lead Officer. As Mayoral Services and Civic Events Manager, Angela continues to strive to keep the Mayoralty alive whilst embracing changes and new challenges. In 2020 Barnet won the Civic Office of the Year Award.
Clare Richardson - North Kesteven District Council
Clare has worked in Local Government for nearly 40 years. In 2017 she became Corporate and Civic Officer at North Kesteven (Lincs), where she is responsible for the Chairman's diary and fund raising and civic events such as the Annual Armed Forces Day Veterans' Lunch, Heckington Show and the NK Community Champion Awards. She uses her communication and organisational skills to demonstrate her enthusiasm to promote the local authority's projects and community recognition. Clare updates the contents of the Civic Handbook and Death of A Senior National Figure and is available to offer advice to colleagues in Lincolnshire who seek help with civic protocol.
Emara Roth - Exeter City Council
Treasurer - NACO
Emara joined Exeter City Council in May 2011 as the Lord Mayor’s Admin Assistance and was promoted to Lord Mayor’s Support Officer in October 2013. She also oversees the day to day running of the Historic Guildhall; manages the diaries for the Lord Mayor and Deputy and organises a lot of the City’s Events including Twinning Visits. Emara also manages the Council’s Armed Forces Covenant and has overall responsibility in updating and managing civic protocols.
Sandra Robinson - Belfast City Council
Sandra has worked as Lord Mayor’s Principal Officer in Belfast City Council since 1995. She has extensive experience as Lead Officer for numerous city wide events including visits by President Clinton and President Obama and Members of the Royal Family. Sandra was awarded an MBE in 2011 for Services to Local Government in Northern Ireland and has been a member of the Executive Committee since the Association was formed.
Derek Scott - London Borough of Havering
Derek has worked for his Local Authority for some 15 years and is a resident in the Borough. He was originally employed as a chauffeur/macebearer but is now the Mayors Support Officer. He is also the Guild of Mace Bearers Training Officer. Derek says he has always found the courses and information from NACO to be invaluable and is very pleased to have been elected a member of the Executive Committee.
Pat Seager - Epping Forest District Council
Vice Chair NACO
Pat has worked for Epping Forest District Council since 1992 and as the Chairman’s Officer for over 20 years. The Civic Office is a constantly changing environment and her challenge each year is trying to reflect the personality of the Chairman elected, whilst still protecting the use of correct protocol and local traditions in the district. Some years easier than others! She is currently one of NACO's two Vice-Chairs
Andrea Thwaite - Cheshire West and Chester Council
Andrea has worked in various roles with Councillors in Chester and Cheshire since 1987 but for the last 15 years has been in Democratic Services with responsibility for managing scrutiny, members, civic and major events. Her time is split between managing the scrutiny function and civic and events management. Andrea has extensive experience in managing large civic events, including royal visits and project managing various democratic services projects. She is well versed with civic and ceremonial matters and is also the Lead Officer with the Charter Trustees..
Adam Tregoning - Southend City Council
Adam has worked for the City of Southend Council initially as Macebearer from 2012 and in 2016 became Mayor’s Officer & Macebearer. Prior to this he was a full time professional musician in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces serving with the Corps of Army Music. He is currently the Clerk of the Guild of Macebearers and was the Prime Warden for 2020 to 2022. He was proud to be involved in the ceremony of the granting of City Status to Southend in March 2022.
Beverley Wilson MVO - Retired Clerk to the Lieutenancy
Beverley worked in the Lord Provost’s Office in Edinburgh for 36 years before retiring in 2013. Clerk to the Edinburgh Lieutenancy for the last 26 years of her working life, she became an MVO in the 1999 New Year’s Honours for her service to the Royal Family in that role. In 1996, when Scotland became 32 Unitary Authorities, Beverley’s remit extended when she became Lord Provost’s and Members’ Services Manager.