Brightlingsea’s mayor for 2025/26 is Chris Paveley, who was installed at town council’s annual meeting on Thursday May 15.

Taking over the role from John Carr, his deputy will be Ric Morgan, who’s previously served as mayor. Although he’s not chosen a specific charity to support, Mr Paveley says he wants to work with the youth of the town and promote local youth groups.

Essex born, Mr Paveley moved to Brightlingsea in 2021 and joined the council in 2023, latterly chairing the planning committee.

After a career that included troubleshooting for the NEC Corporation in Japan and running his own 200-employee IT and communcations business, Mr Pavely took on several governmental and private company executive board roles.

These included being a board member of the East of England Regional Development Agency, where he oversaw the building and operation of the Firstsite Art Gallery In Colchester and was its chair. He was chair of the Learning and Skills Council for the East of England, a board member of the Government Office of the East of England, chair of the NHS primary care trust covering the Colchester and Tendring areas.

He also held a number of board roles in the private sector, specialising in turn round of underperforming service sector companies

Married to Sarah – a fencing coach who has won two Commonwealth Games silver medals – with one son, Mr Pavely is a member of the Colne Yacht Club and enjoys rallying vintage and classic cars.