Caroline Simpson, the chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), has been chosen by Andy Burnham to head his proposed No 10 North office. Burnham, the newly elected MP for Makerfield and a potential future Labour leader and prime minister, has selected Simpson based on their close working relationship during his tenure as mayor of Greater Manchester.
Stockport Renaissance and Good Growth Fund
Insiders highlight Simpson's role in transforming Stockport, where she served as chief executive for two years before joining the GMCA. Burnham viewed Stockport's revival as a key demonstration that Manchester's success could be replicated across the region. She is also credited with driving the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund, a £1 billion initiative launched last year to spur economic growth in each borough.
A former colleague described Simpson as 'personable' but passionate about regeneration: 'She's an interesting pick particularly because of her work in Stockport. Andy always credited her whenever he mentioned the Good Growth Fund. She's approachable and very hands on. She likes to drive change and will always have her view on things. She won't simply accept what she's being told. And she's always been highly visible to people inside the GMCA.'
Rise to Prominence
Simpson's ascent is notable given that she was perceived as less powerful than Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council now running for the vacant mayoralty, and Kate Green, the deputy mayor, as recently as last year. Although not a politician, the £240,000-a-year chief of GMCA and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has been quietly driving change behind the scenes. She oversees two public organizations with billion-pound budgets and has been tasked with promoting Manchester's interests overseas, including signing deals with Japanese firms, leading trade missions to Tokyo and Osaka, hosting a Japanese delegation, and organizing the 50th 'Japan Week' last September.
Career Background
Simpson's career began in Liverpool, where she organized community-based regeneration projects on work and skills. She holds a degree in Japanese and business studies from Liverpool John Moores University. Reflecting on her career, she told the Manchester Evening News last year: 'Like most young people, I fell into my first job which happened to be in the public sector. It was when I started to really work hard and feel very committed to what I was doing. I am a proud public servant. I'm absolutely an advocate for a rewarding career in public service where you can end a very, very busy day genuinely knowing you've made an impact. It sounds a bit twee, but you have had an impact on people's lives. That's massively rewarding.'
From Liverpool, she moved to regeneration roles in the Black Country and Warrington, then to a Staffordshire housing association, and later to Cheshire East council. In 2016, she became Stockport council's economic growth director, and six years later, she was named its chief executive.
No 10 North Vision
Burnham has described No 10 North as the 'nerve centre of a rewired Britain', tasked with increasing public ownership of key utilities and regenerating left-behind towns. After news broke of Simpson's potential appointment, she emailed colleagues to provide 'reassurance about my focus on ensuring the business of Greater Manchester continues at pace during this time.' She emphasized that continuity was 'critical' and pledged to 'steer the transition over the summer as we move to a new Mayor of Greater Manchester.'
In a subsequent statement, Simpson said: 'In light of the news about my potential future role at No 10 North I have this morning discussed future arrangements with the GMCA Deputy Mayor and my leadership team, and updated staff and stakeholders. I will continue to steer the transition to a new Mayor of Greater Manchester over the summer but, to ensure absolute focus remains on the Mayoral by-election over the coming weeks, I am now taking the necessary steps to resign as the Returning Officer and formally handing over all election responsibilities to my Deputy Returning Officers.'
