The West Midlands Combined Authority has appointed Suffolk County Council head Deborah Cadman as its first chief executive.
Cadman will take on the role in September, replacing interim chief executive Martin Reeves, who will return to his post as chief executive of Coventry City Council.
She will report to newly elected mayor Andy Street, who chairs the combined authority responsible for spending of around £40m a year on areas including transport, housing, skills and economic development.
The combined authority is made up of the council leaders of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, Sandwell, Birmingham, Solihill, and Coventry. Cadman, who is originally from Birmingham, was previously chief executive of the East of England Development Agency and chief executive at St Edmundsbury Borough Council in Suffolk. She was awarded an OBE for services to local government in 2006.
Street said: “She will bring a great energy to the role as well as a natural enthusiasm for the region. She also has a strong track record in developing and maintaining relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders. This will be essential as we keep momentum going with central government to bring further powers and responsibilities from Westminster to the West Midlands.”
Cadman said: “This is such a fabulous moment in time for the West Midlands and is an irresistible opportunity to work alongside our newly elected mayor and bring greater prosperity to a region I know so well.”
To send feedback, e-mail Louisa.Clarence-Smith@egi.co.uk or tweet @LouisaClarence or @estatesgazette
