Alex Laidler is an occupational therapist with over 30 years' experience in health and social care in practitioner, operational management and strategic leadership roles. She has led teams and services comprising a wide range of professionals and is committed to ensuring practitioners maintain a strong professional identity while promoting interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary practice. She joined Essex County Council in 2015 as director of adult social care and after two periods of maternity leave took up the position of principal occupational therapist when the role was first created in 2019.