New deputy Mayor of the West Midlands announced

Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, has appointed Birmingham councillor Sharon Thompson as the region’s new Deputy Mayor.

In her new role as Deputy Mayor, she will support the Mayor in implementing the region’s key priorities and serve as an ambassador for the West Midlands.

Cllr Thompson was confirmed in the position during a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board meeting held in Wolverhampton on Friday, June 14.

She joined Birmingham City Council in 2014 and has focused on housing and homelessness. She has worked with the government regarding the Grenfell cladding payouts and the construction of social housing. Additionally, she served on the Commonwealth Games 2022 Members Advisory Group.

Her appointment comes after holding various roles within the WMCA, including portfolio holder for Levelling Up and Devolution, member of the Housing and Land Delivery Board, the WMCA Public Service Reform Board, and chair of the WMCA’s Homelessness Members Advisory Group.