New Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Chief Executive Starts in Post



Katherine Fairclough has today (Monday 28 June) commenced her new role as Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.




Katherine was appointed in March and joins the Combined Authority from Cumbria County Council, where she had been Chief Executive since 2017. She was previously Deputy Chief Executive at Warrington Borough Council.


Her role will involve responsibility for all functions of the Combined Authority, including Fairness and Inclusion,  Investment and Business Growth, Employment and Skills, Culture, Transport, Environment, Housing and Homelessness.


A top priority will be taking forward the Combined Authority’s work on economic recovery from Covid-19, working with the city region’s six local authorities and partners in business, civic institutions and the community.


Katherine takes up the role following a rigorous recruitment process and will take over from Frank Rogers, who announced his retirement last September.


Commenting on her appointment, Katherine said:


“I’m really delighted to be taking up my post as Chief Executive of the Combined Authority and am looking forward to working closely with all its partners to build on the great work it has done so far.


“Although the city region has been hit hard by the pandemic, especially due to the importance of its £5billion visitor economy, I’ve been so impressed already by the energy and creativity that all partners are dedicating to driving its recovery.


“The Liverpool City Region has a real opportunity to build upon it’s many strengths – from its legendary culture and hospitality, to its world-leading industries such as health and life-sciences and advanced manufacturing, to its energetic start-up community.


“I’m looking forward to leading the Combined Authority through this crucial period and beyond, to achieve our vision to create a globally competitive, environmentally responsible and socially inclusive city region.”


Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:


“I’m very happy to welcome Katherine to her role as our new Chief Executive today.


“I am especially pleased that we are appointing our first female Chief Executive – one of a number of women taking up senior leadership positions in our region over recent weeks. It’s a really important job and I know that, in Katherine, we have found the best candidate possible.


“I’d like to thank Frank for his work over the past few years but I’m looking forward to working with Katherine to help take our region to the next level. There are big challenges ahead of us but I’m determined that we will build a fairer, greener and stronger economy after the pandemic and deliver on my vision for a Liverpool City Region with no one left behind.


“That work together starts today, and I know that Katherine will be a great asset to both the Combined Authority and to our city region.”



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