Essex CC chief executive Joanna Killian was elected the new chair of SOLACE at its conference this week in Coventry. She tells Michael Burton, why both the society and its members have a vital role to play.

Being chief executive of the county council covering the constituency of communities secretary Eric Pickles – and for four Fyears a shared chief executive of its district as well – must surely be an advantage for the new chair of SOLACE, Joanna Killian.