Combined authority appoints new chief executive

The current chief executive at Suffolk County Council has been appointed as the first permanent chief executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Deborah Cadman has held a number of senior posts in her career, including chief executive of the East of England Development Agency and chief executive at St. Edmundsbury Borough Council in Suffolk.

She was born and bred in Birmingham and attended the University Birmingham.

She has a degree in politics as well as a master’s degree in economics.  She was awarded an OBE for services to local government in 2006.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “After a robust recruitment process I am thrilled that Deborah has agreed to join the WMCA as our chief executive.  I was keen that we considered only the very best candidates for this important post and Deborah was the strongest candidate in an excellent field.

“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.”

Cllr Bob Sleigh Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Deborah joins us in September at a very exciting time.  We’ve achieved so much as a combined authority in the past two years, with a huge amount of collaboration and support from across the region.

“However, now we need to move to the next level and having a permanent chief executive of Deborah’s calibre to work alongside our newly elected mayor makes for a very bright future.”

Ms Cadman said she was delighted to have been offered the position.

“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,” she said.

“I will be taking the reins over from Martin Reeves who has been amazing as interim chief executive, whilst maintaining the same post at Coventry City Council.  Martin is an incredibly hard act to follow and I am indebted to him for all his visionary work to date.”