On Monday Katherine Fairclough began her new role as chief executive of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, taking over from Frank Rogers. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s new chief executive took up her post on Monday morning and said she is looking forward to helping drive the city region’s recovery.
Katherine Fairclough, who takes over from the retiring Frank Rogers, joins the CA from Cumbria County Council, where she has been chief executive since 2017. She was previously deputy chief executive at Warrington Council.
Her role will involve responsibility for all functions of the CA, including transport, environment, investment and business growth, housing and homelessness, employment and skills, culture, fairness and inclusion.
Appointing a woman as its new chief executive will be seen as progress for the CA which, since its inception in 2014, has been accused of lacking female representation at its highest levels.
Her appointment was announced in March this year and, now she has started, her top priority will be taking forward the CA’s push for economic recovery from COVID-19. She will work with the city region’s six local authorities and partners in business, civic institutions and the community.
Ms Fairclough 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 £5bn 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.”
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said Ms Fairclough was one of a number of women taking up senior leadership positions in the region over recent weeks. He added: “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.”