Andrew Lightfoot has been put forward to step up from deputy to become interim group chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), a role paying £245,000. The nomination was made on Friday (August 30) and requires approval on September 25, while a permanent chief is sought.
Role and responsibilities
The post serves as the GMCA’s head of paid service, its most senior officer, as well as returning officer and director general of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). The authority also includes Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
The move follows the departure of former GMCA boss Caroline Simpson, who stepped down in July to join Andy Burnham's team at Heron House in the Prime Minister’s Manchester office, creating an ‘immediate gap’ to be filled at the Combined Authority.
Mayor's comments
Mayor Bev Craig thanked Ms Simpson for her work at the GMCA on Friday, saying: “The fact that we’re looking to appoint an interim group chief executive officer demonstrates that the one that went before has gone on to do other things, and we wish her well working in Number 10 North.”
She added: “It’s a really exciting moment for Greater Manchester to be able to have people that know us exceptionally well there.”
The mayor said Mr Lightfoot ‘stepped up’ during a period of massive change in the region. She said: “We’ve got dedicated hardworking staff here within the Combined Authority, who have been doing great things and need that certainty and continuity of leadership to be able to get through what will be a very very busy autumn, and to make sure that we weren’t leaving any gaps, and we’ve mitigated all the risks that we can see.
“Andrew has been doing a great job as the deputy chief executive of the group, and has also stepped in and stepped up over the last six to eight with the changes that have been going on.”
Recruitment process
A ‘full and proper’ external recruitment process will take place to hire the GMCA’s permanent chief executive, the mayor added, with the timeline due to be set out in the near future.
Andrew Lightfoot was deputy chief executive at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council before joining the GMCA, where he worked across a range of departments including regeneration and housing. He also previously worked for KPMG. The GMCA was asked for more information about Mr Lightfoot.
