Katherine Fairclough has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Katherine joins the Combined Authority from Cumbria County Council, where she has been Chief Executive since 2017. She was previously Deputy Chief Executive at Warrington Borough Council.
Her role will involve responsibility for all functions of the Combined Authority, including Transport, Environment, Investment and Business Growth, Housing and Homelessness, Employment and Skills, Culture, Fairness and Inclusion.
A top priority will be taking forward the Combined Authority’s work on economic recovery from COVID-19, working with the City Region’s six Local Authorities and partners in business and civic institutions.
Katherine takes up the role following a rigorous recruitment process and will take over from current Chief Executive, Frank Rogers, who announced his retirement last September.
Commenting on her appointment, Katherine said: “I’m delighted to be taking up this post as Chief Executive of the Combined Authority and am looking forward to working closely with all its partners to build on the great work it has done so far.
“The Liverpool City Region has so many strengths – from its legendary culture and hospitality, to world-leading industries such as health and life-sciences and advanced manufacturing, to its energetic start-up community.
“But, like everywhere else, it has been hit hard by the pandemic and there is a huge amount of work to do to drive the City Region’s recovery.
“I’m looking forward to working with partners through this crucial period to achieve our vision to create a globally competitive, environmentally responsible and socially inclusive city region.”