Pride in Place Shoeburyness - Online Hub

Board member

Bio

David Hadjicostas
Chair

David is a founder member of Shoebury Coastal CIC and chair of its Board of Directors, and he has lived in the area his whole life. He is a former British Army soldier and senior officer with Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, finishing his fire service career as Head of Investigation leading a team of 21 officers. He currently serves as a Search and Rescue Officer with HM Coastguard. He is a former chair and president of national charity The Fostering Network and was made an MBE in 2007 for services to children and families. He is a former chair of the Shoeburyness & South Essex Branch, Royal Artillery Association. He holds the National Association’s Gold Medal for outstanding and distinguished service. An experienced manager and leader, he is a Member of the Chartered Management Institute, the Institute of Leadership and Management, the International Association of Arson Investigators, and a Graduate of the Institute of Search and Technical Rescue.

Bayo Alaba MP

Bayo has been the Member of Parliament for Southend East and Rochford since 2024. Prior to entering politics, he ran businesses in the hospitality and regeneration sector, served as a reserve paratrooper, and volunteered as a youth mentor. Since becoming Shoeburyness’s MP, Bayo has spent time immersing himself in the area, meeting its residents and tackling the issues that matter most to the community. Motivated by a desire to give back after a varied and successful pre-political career, Bayo hopes to use his seat in the House of Commons to amplify the work of the Board and support its ambitions at a Parliamentary level.

Cllr Steven Wakefield

Councillor Steven Wakefield is a lifelong Southend resident, successful local businessman and independent councillor for Shoeburyness. After joining Brights Locksmiths at the age of 14, he purchased the business in 2004 and helped establish it as one of Essex's leading locksmith companies, continuing its 100-year local legacy. Elected eight years ago, Cllr Steven Wakefield is passionate about delivering practical improvements that benefit the community. His most significant achievement has been leading the regeneration of East Beach, creating new facilities, improved accessibility, and vibrant public spaces. He is currently overseeing the development of an inclusive playground and is leading plans to transform Friars Park. Known for his practical, people-first approach, Cllr Steven Wakefield is committed to creating lasting improvements to local infrastructure. He is proud to serve his community and is delighted to join the Pride in Place board, where he looks forward to helping shape a positive future for Shoeburyness.

Peter Melville

Peter Melville is a long-standing resident of the local area, with deep personal and professional roots in the community. He has lived locally for many years, and his children attended local schools, giving him a strong understanding of local strengths, challenges, and aspirations. As Chief Operating Officer for South West Essex Community Education Trust, Peter brings experience in education, estates, finance, and governance, working closely with schools and partners. As a Board Member, he hopes to listen to residents, support inclusive opportunities, and help deliver positive, lasting change across the neighbourhood for everyone in the community locally.

Tricia Cowdrey

Tricia has called Shoebury home for more than forty years, and for the last fifteen years, she has lived in Shoeburyness Ward, where she worked, raised her family, and built deep roots in the community. Her background is in social work and youth work, and she has spent many years supporting local charities and community groups as both a consultant and volunteer. For the past eight years, she has been an active community advocate, helping residents navigate local issues and making sure their concerns are heard. She cares deeply about giving every resident a voice. As a Board Member, she wants all projects to be truly resident-led and to create lasting, positive change.

Maria Moreira Edwards

Maria Moreira Edwards is the Founder and Director of Maria Moon Music CIC, a Shoeburyness-based charity dedicated to music learning and education, with a focus on supporting neurodiverse children and their families. A Shoeburyness resident since 1998 and a mother of three teenagers, Maria has consistently supported children, youth, and seniors through creative, educational, and community initiatives. Her career spans leadership in government, publishing, EdTech, and apprenticeships, designing impactful learning experiences rooted in inclusion and growth. She embraces innovation and digital enhancement while respecting Shoeburyness’s natural assets. As a Board Member, Maria seeks to collaborate with fellow members to listen and act on residents’ best interests, driving positive impact across the community she proudly calls home.

Karim Taha

Karim has called Shoeburyness home since the age of ten, and it is a place he has always loved. With family roots in the area spanning multiple generations, he could not imagine living anywhere else. He now has the privilege of raising his own family here, something he considers a true blessing. Professionally, he works in an international leadership role within the MedTech industry. He also serves as Treasurer of the Garrison Residents Association. He believes this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something truly lasting for the people of Shoeburyness.

Rosie Duenas

Rosie is from Shoeburyness and her family have lived here their whole lives. She graduated from the University of Leicester two years ago, and was involved in many societies. She also studied abroad in Spain, where she was able to meet new people and visit new places. These are all experiences that have built her into the person she is today and she would love for the younger generations in Shoebury, who are at school or college age, to have these same opportunities. Her goal for the Pride in Place Fund would be to increase community activities across Shoeburyness to bridge the gap between generations. She believes when we’re more connected as a society, we achieve more together.

Beth Palma

Beth lives in Shoeburyness with her husband, their dog, and a few too many houseplants. They moved here a couple of years ago after they fell in love with the area. People might have run into her walking the pup, swimming by the beach huts, picking litter, or volunteering at the Coastwatch station. She has really enjoyed getting involved in community projects and meeting the wonderful people who make this place tick. In her day job, she carries out user research, talking to stakeholders about the challenges they face and how services can be improved. She hopes her experience will help the Board to reach a wide range of people and consider lots of different ideas for this funding. She is excited to be a part of the Pride in Place Board and to make a big difference to the neighbourhood.

Joe Levey

Joe has lived in Shoeburyness for 11 years with his wife and two young children. As a military veteran, he has a strong appreciation for the area’s rich military history and heritage. He really enjoys living here and believes Shoeburyness has fantastic foundations and significant potential for the future. Through his role on the Board, he wants to help ensure that this funding is used in a way that maximises that potential and reflects what local residents truly need. He is particularly looking forward to engaging with the community and hearing directly from residents about their priorities and ideas.

Pippa Garnett

Pippa has been a Shoeburyness resident for many years and brings to the Board 16 years' expertise in community justice. Based in South Essex, she currently leads community-based projects that support rehabilitation while delivering tangible benefits to local communities. As a Neighbourhood Board Member for the Pride in Shoeburyness scheme, Pippa’s motivation comes from a genuine love of the area and what it has to offer, along with a keenness to use her professional skills and local insight to support community-led improvement and champion initiatives that enhance wellbeing, safety, and long-term improvement in the area.