Experienced Senior Executive appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

Experienced Senior Executive appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

The Combined Authority Board held on Monday 27^th June approved the recommendation from the Employment Committee to appoint Gordon Mitchell as the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Gordon has extensive experience of supporting councils and partnerships through transitions. He has a strong track record as an interim CEO, having worked in four varied councils and after nine years as a permanent CEO in two unitary councils. He brings experience of sub-regional partnerships combining growth, transport, housing, action on climate change and inclusive economy initiatives from the Thames Valley, East Midlands, West Yorkshire and Oxfordshire. He has undertaken many consultancy and advisory projects and most recently he was one of the CEO team that delivered the governance review in Northumberland County Council.

Gordon Mitchell is expected to take up his post on Monday, 4^th July.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson, said:

“I am grateful for the time spent in putting together a recruitment process that fully engaged with the Leaders, CEO stakeholders, our partners and staff.  I am reassured that by working together on this appointment we have a CEO that we can all stand with, work with and support.

I very much look forward to working with Gordon whose track record as an interim CEO working with councils going through transitions gives me great confidence. We are moving forward, and our Combined Authority can now do what it was put here to do and deliver the inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth that will improve the lives of residents across the whole of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”

On being approved for appointment Gordon Mitchell, said:

“I am looking forward to working with the Mayor and Combined Authority to help them tackle the current challenges and strengthen the effort to improve the prospects and prosperity for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. I have already got a strong sense that the key individuals want to more strongly develop their collective leadership, re-focus on delivery and champion the area as effectively as possible. There is much to do, but I am struck by the huge potential to improve the quality of life for people, communities and business in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”

There were three candidates shortlisted to attend an assessment day held on 24^th June which included a CEO stakeholder engagement panel, a partners and staff engagement panel and a formal interview with the Employment Committee with members of the Combined Authority staff joining for an informal lunch. Having considered the technical interview and independent feedback from the panels the Employment Committee agreed to recommend the appointment of the preferred candidate for the position of interim Chief Executive Officer to the Combined Authority Board.

The contracted day rate for the role is £1350 plus VAT. This figure is benchmarked against other roles of similar responsibility and with the goal of balancing value for money with the ability to attract talented candidates. The role of interim CEO is contracted via Solace in Business for five days a week, for a six month period.