The Combined Authority's Corporate Management Team oversee and drive the delivery of the projects that make a difference to you.
Who are the Corporate Management Team?
While the Combined Authority’s overall direction is decided by the democratically elected Combined Authority Board, the delivery of projects and the strategies that we use to fulfil the Board’s decisions are driven by our senior Corporate Management Team.
As part of our commitment to transparent local government, our Corporate Management team’s salaries are published annually in the Statement of Accounts.
Rob Bridge: Chief Executive Officer
Rob began his role at CPCA in June 2023 and previously was Chief Executive of North Northamptonshire Council, a unitary council which came into existence in 2021.
A Cambridgeshire resident, Rob has overseen the successful implementation of a wide range of projects and initiatives, including the establishment of North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) as a new unitary authority.
Prior to his role at NNC, Rob was Chief Executive of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC). As a successful strategic leader, Rob has driven positive cultural change. He has an approachable and personable style and believes in creating cultures that allow people to be their very best.
Rob has also led on regeneration, external investment and transformation and is passionate about improving public services and the place where people live and was the lead Chief Executive for the Hertfordshire Growth Board.
Prior to his role as Chief Executive of WHBC, Rob spent eight years as Corporate Director and Chief Finance Officer at Fenland District Council.
Under Rob’s leadership as a local authority Chief Executive, the councils have made progress in its ambitious modernisation programmes to ensure services are delivered in the best way possible for local residents, businesses and communities.
Richard Kenny: Executive Director for Economy & Growth
Richard is a lifelong advocate of devolution and has led strategy and delivery at multiple levels for local government, including working for two city councils focused on the comprehensive regeneration of two major core cities, led two inclusive economy and place portfolios for two county councils, and contributed to one of the biggest devolution deals in the country.
His work is also deeply embedded in other sectors that are the key partners of Combined Authorities, especially universities and senior business leadership teams, but also central government, health, policing, colleges and regions.
Judith Barker: Executive Director of Place and Connectivity
Judith Barker joined CPCA as the Executive Director of Place and Connectivity in January 2023. She has considerable senior experience in partnership working, strategic and operational economic development and place shaping and has worked widely in the east of England. She joined us from Central Bedfordshire Council, having previously been the Director of Programmes and Governance at the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership where she was responsible for the funding delivery to implement the Economic Strategy and Local Industrial Strategy as well as working with the private and public sector partnership Board. Previously she undertook numerous commissions, whilst self employed, was a Head of Service at the East of England Development Agency and began her career in social housing and community regeneration. She is a Trustee and Vice Chair of the Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation.
Kate McFarlane: Director Policy & Engagement
Kate joined the CPCA in February 2023. Kate has worked in local and regional government and government agencies for 25 years with extensive experience of partnership working, strategy development, securing funding and delivering revenue and capital programmes of all shapes and sizes. Most recently Kate was Corporate Director of Place at Huntingdonshire District Council, responsible for delivering the Council’s economic and place based ambitions and service areas including economic development, regeneration, housing delivery and strategic planning. During her time at Central Bedfordshire Council Kate was Assistant Director of Business & Investment and prior to that Head of Community Regeneration & Adult Skills. Work at a regional level has included developing and overseeing the delivery of European Social Funded programmes whilst at the Learning & Skills Council, and developing new regeneration and inclusion programmes at the East of England Development Agency. Kate and her family live in Cambridgeshire, she a proud mother of her two daughters and trustee of a local charity.
Matthew Cumberbatch: Director of Legal and Governance
Janice Gotts: Executive Director Resources
