WMCA Interactive Chart

Andy Street was elected as the first ever Mayor of the West Midlands in May 2017 and relected in May 2021. He will serve a three-year term (subsequent terms will be four years). Laura Shoaf was appointed Interim Chief Executive in June 2021 and with the Mayor will build and head the WMCA's leadership team.

About mayor

Find out how the WMCA is structured and its membership

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Local Authorities

Local Enterprise Partnerships

Observer Organisations

They deliver important public services for people who live and work in the West Midlands.

They are business-led organisations building relationships with local authorities and are non-constituent members.

They include organisations awaiting non-constituent membership and non-voting observers.

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Constituent Authorities

Non - Constituent Authorities

Have ultimate voting rights and can only be signed up to one combined authority.

Can sign up to more than one combined authority and have less voting rights.

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Black Country LEP

Coventry and Warwickshire LEP

Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP

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Herefordshire Council

The Marches LEP

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

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Birmingham City Council

City of Wolverhampton

Coventry City Council

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Walsall Council

Cannock Chase District Council

North Warwickshire Borough Council

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council

Redditch Borough Council

Rugby Borough Council

Shropshire Council

Stratford-on-Avon District Council

Tamworth Borough Council

Telford and Wrekin Council

Warwickshire County Council

Leadership

Councillor Ian Ward

Leader of the Council + WMCA Portfolio Holder for Transport

Councillor Ian Ward Biography

Councillor Brigid Jones

Deputy Leader of the council + WMCA Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Communities

Chris Naylor

Chief Executive

Chris Naylor Biography

Council profile

Population: 1,073,045 (Census 2011)

Council website: www.birmingham.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @BhamCityCouncil

Official council Facebook account: www.facebook.com/birminghamcitycouncil

Reason for being part of the WMCA:

An opportunity to shape how the West Midlands is governed in the future and provide a strong voice for the region, promoting it on a global stage

Key WMCA projects that will benefit the area:

The HS2 Growth Strategy to ensure maximum economic benefit, including the Curzon Masterplan, expansion of the Metro network east and west and an additional 100,000 new jobs

Leadership

Councillor Ian Brookfield

Leader + WMCA Portfolio Holder for Economy and Innovation

Tim Johnson

Managing Director

Tim Johnson Biography

Council profile

Population: 249,470 people (Census 2011)

Council website: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/home

Official council Twitter account: @WolvesCouncil

Official council Facebook account: www.facebook.com/WolverhamptonToday

Reason for being part of the WMCA:

A share of the £200 million land remediation fund will enable brownfield sites to be brought back into use for housing and employment - currently a major problem and obstacle to development in our city
Better transport links and connectivity to HS2 will boost jobs and growth in the city
A share of the benefits related to the £1 billion of direct government investment which unlocks £8 billion devolution funding.
Longer-term we'll be at the table to be part of the future opportunities that devolution will bring
Wolverhampton is a city that has invested in, and believes in, partnership working. Collaboration gives you greater resilience, greater freedom and greater spending power and gives the City of Wolverhampton an historic chance to benefit now and in the future.

Leadership

Councillor George Duggins

Leader + WMCA Portfolio Holder for Productivity & Skills

Councillor George Duggins Biography

Martin Reeves

Chief Executive

Council profile

Population: 345, 400 (mid-year 2016 estimate from ONS)

Council Website: www.coventry.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @coventrycc

Official council Facebook account: www.facebook.com/coventrycc

Reason for being part of the WMCA:

Better transport links across the whole region
A regional fund to boost building on brownfield sites
Funding for skills and training to get people jobs in the region
More business support and foreign investment

Key WMCA projects that will benefit the area:

The City Centre South development

Leadership

Councillor Patrick Harley

Leader + WMCA Portfolio Holder for Culture & Digital

Kevin O’Keefe

Chief Executive

Council profile

Population: 316,500 (Nomis, mid-year estimate)

Council Website: www.dudley.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @dudleymbc

Official council Facebook account: www.facebook.com/DudleyBorough

Reason for being part of the WMCA:

Access to 30 year investment fund
Improving road and rail network to boost transport
Creating jobs and skills for the future
Enabling stronger and safer communities
Building a better environment for people to live and work
Access to contaminated land fund to bring contaminated sites back into use

Key WMCA projects that will benefit the area:

Investment into the proposed Midland Metro extension from Brierley Hill to Birmingham
Investment in some of our most contaminated sites via contaminated land fund

Leadership

Councillor Maria Crompton

Deputy Leader

David Stevens

Chief Executive

Council profile

Population: 319,000

Council website: www.sandwell.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @sandwellcouncil

Official council Facebook account: www.facebook.com/sandwellcouncil

Reason for being part of the WMCA:

Better transport links across the region – including roads, rail and Metro, helping to reduce congestion and connect people with jobs and opportunities
Unlocking brownfield sites for new businesses and homes

Creating significant new business opportunities in the freight network for Friar Park, Wednesbury

Continuing to regenerate West Bromwich – building more town centre homes, attracting more businesses and supporting industry

Investment for new homes – including by the new Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick

Boosting skills and job opportunities
Supporting businesses and attracting investment

Sandwell businesses and residents benefiting from the region’s economic growth and opportunities from the HS2 development
Improving health and wellbeing and transforming contaminated and non-useful land to new green spaces

Key WMCA projects that will benefit the area:

Extending the Metro through Sandwell from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill

Leadership

Councillor Bob Sleigh

Deputy Mayor + WMCA Portfolio Lead for Finance

Councillor Ian Courts

Leader + WMCA Portfolio Lead for Environment & Energy, HS2

Nick Page

Chief Executive

Council profile

Population: 210,445 (2015)

Council website: www.solihull.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @SolihullCouncil

Official council Facebook account: www.facebook.com/solihullcouncil

Reason for being part of the WMCA:

The added value being a part of the WMCA brings, to deliver more economic growth than Solihull could achieve on its own at a faster rate.
Direct investment in Solihull of £636 million over 30 years plus further benefits from the overall £8 billion investment package. It will see Junction 6 (M42) improvements, HS2 Interchange funding, alongside other transport investment joining investment into skills, infrastructure and businesses.
Significant opportunities to create new jobs and homes within the borough whilst also ensuring the West Midlands region to performs more effectively
A combined authority provides the extra investment that will create economic growth for the borough, accelerating our plans for managed growth and bringing real benefits to the local economy.

Key WMCA projects that will benefit the area:

Arrival of HS2
UK Central

Leadership

Councillor Mike Bird

Leader of the Council + WMCA Portfolio Holder for Housing & Land

Councillor Mike Bird Biography

Helen Paterson

Chief Executive

Council profile

Council website: www.walsall.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @WalsallCouncil

Leadership

Councillor George Adamson

Leader

Tony McGovern

Managing Director

Council profile

Council Website: www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @CannockChaseDC

Leadership

Councillor David Humphreys

Leader

Steve Maxey

Acting Chief Executive

Council profile

Population: 62,000

Council Website: www.northwarks.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @North_Warks_BC

Official council Facebook account: www.facebook.com/northwarksbc

Reason for being part of the WMCA: We are part of a connected economy that covers most of the WMCA. Opportunities to enhance the West Midlands economy will directly benefit our residents and those who work in our area.

Key WMCA projects that will benefit the area: Major infrastructure improvements, such as to the A5 and the A446, are required that are currently risks to economic growth. Connectivity to HS2 and promotion of other rail services are also key.

Leadership

Councillor Julie Jackson

Leader

Councillor Julie Jackson Biography

Council profile

Council Website: www.nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk/site/

Official council Twitter account: @NBBCouncil

Leadership

Councillor Matthew Dormer

Leader

Councillor Matthew Dormer Biography

Kevin Dicks

Chief Executive

Council profile

Population: 84,700 (ONS projection)

Council Website: www.redditchbc.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @RedditchMatters

Official council Facebook account: www.facebook.com/RedditchBC

Leadership

Councillor Sebastian Lowe

Leader

Adam Norburn

Executive Director

Council profile

Population: 101,600

Council Website: https://www.rugby.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @rugbybc

Official council Facebook account: www.facebook.com/RugbyBoroughCouncil

Reason for being part of the WMCA: Being part of the WMCA gives Rugby Borough Council influence over greater powers and funding to promote economic growth and development.

Key WMCA projects that will benefit the area: The combined authority’s priorities around economic growth, skills, transport and housing will support the borough council’s objectives to facilitate physical and economic growth, while protecting the essential characteristics that make our borough our home.

Leadership

Councillor Tony Jefferson

Leader

Councillor Tony Jefferson Biography

Isabel Edgar Briançon

Executive Director and Head of Paid Service

David Buckland

Executive Director and S151 Officer

Council profile

Population: 121,522 (mid 2015 population estimate)

Council Website: www.stratford.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @StratfordDC

Official council Facebook account: www.facebook.com/StratfordDC

Reason for being part of the WMCA: Being part of the WMCA supports the objectives contained in the council’s Corporate Strategy, such as ‘a flourishing local economy’ and ‘responsible community leadership’

Key WMCA projects that will benefit the area: Improved transport infrastructure (road and rail), culture, creative and tourism, fiscal devolution, mental health and skills.

Leadership

Councillor Peter Nutting

Leader

Clive Wright

Chief Executive

Council profile

Council Website: www.shropshire.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: @ShropCouncil

Leadership

Councillor Danny Cook

Leader

Andrew Barratt

Chief Operating Officer

Council profile

Population: 77,100 (2014)

Council Website: www.tamworth.gov.uk

Official council Twitter account: Twitter:@TamworthCouncil

Reason for being part of the WMCA: The decision to join the Combined Authority as a Non-Constituent Member was in essence, quite simple. As a founding member of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, the Borough Council had already established that its economic future and long term growth aspirations were aligned to the Birmingham conurbation and it’s positioning in terms of regional, national and global market access.

As a supporter and beneficiary of functioning economic geography, Tamworth was quick to recognise and accept its role as one of the links in the economic belt encircling the Greater Birmingham economy… that of a ‘Dormitory Town’. The Council’s ambition was to be the most accessible ‘dormitory town’ with the best offer possible for its commuters.

The same principles apply to the WMCA only over a much greater scale. The opportunities are greater too; this is not just about “growth”, the WMCA - even for NCMs - provides opportunities for improvement, both in terms of “People” and “Place” and as with the GBSLEP, the Council’s vision and ambitions can only be achieved if they are “In it to win it”!!!!