Strategic advisor to Combined Authority Mayor appointed

Strategic advisor to Combined Authority Mayor appointed

A hugely experienced former Fleet Street journalist has been appointed as strategic advisor to Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson.

Nigel Pauley was appointed following a recruitment process and will be tasked with supporting the Mayor in developing and rolling out policies centred around the core values of Compassion, Co-operation and Community – the Mayor’s ‘3Cs’.

Mr Pauley has worked with Mayor Dr Johnson in his previous political campaigns since 2017, including helping to create the 3Cs message.

He worked on his 2017 general election campaign for the constituency of Huntingdon and organised his winning district council campaign for St Neots East in 2018 before coordinating his successful mayoral campaign.

The strategic advisor role was advertised and 12 candidates applied. Three were shortlisted and were interviewed by Chief Executive Kim Sawyer and HR Manager Martin Jaynes. The mayor observed the interviews.

Mayor Dr Johnson said:

“It was great to see a strong level of interest in a role which will be vital in supporting me embed my priorities of Compassion, Co-operation and Community in everything the Combined Authority does. Nigel will be challenged to help me effect real change in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in everything from better public transport, building more affordable homes, improving skills levels, boosting businesses and creating a greener, healthier region for all.”

Nigel Pauley said:

“I am delighted to have got the job. It is an important role and I look forward to working with the mayor and helping spread his message of the ‘3Cs’ across the Combined Authority.”

Mr Pauley is married with three children and lives near Huntingdon.

He began his journalism career at the Hunts Post in Huntingdon and later worked in Fleet Street at the Daily Mirror, Express Newspapers and the Sunday Mirror, before going freelance in radio, writing and media training. His work in Fleet Street saw him covering major stories and interviewing many famous people. He worked across news, desk jobs, features, showbiz, motoring and columns. He also made TV and radio appearances.

The salary for the full-time role is £78,000 and it is a politically restricted post. Mr Pauley started his role on June 3.