Interim Chief Officer of East Midlands devolution programme announced

Mark Rogers has been appointed as the Interim Chief Officer of the East Midlands devolution programme, as part of plans to set up a new mayoral combined authority covering Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham.

Having played a pivotal role in the formation of the West Midlands Combined Authority, Mark will take the lead in ensuring the region is well-placed to establish the East Midlands Combined County Authority, which is due to come into existence next year subject to Royal Assent for a new Act of Parliament.

In his most recent role in public service, Mark served as a Director General for the Government of Jersey. Since 2022 Mark has held the role of Chief Executive of the Leadership Centre.

Mark, who also has extensive senior leadership experience in local government as Chief Executive of both Birmingham City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, will be joined by other new interim appointments.

Working with the four councils involved in the devolution programme, Mark and his team will develop the key actions underpinning the deal, which include improving transport, skills, education, housing and working towards net zero across the region.

Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council have been working with the Government on devolution plans, which include a package of local powers and funding worth £1.14 billion.

Plans for an East Midlands Combined County Authority is subject to legislation being approved, but it would mean a new guaranteed funding stream of £38m a year for the region, over a 30-year period.

A regionally elected mayor would lead a new combined authority, which would include representatives from existing local councils, with decision-making powers and resources moving from London to the East Midlands.

Local councils across the region would all continue to exist as part of the devolution plans and would still be responsible for most public services in the area. The mayor and combined authority would instead focus on wider issues like transport, regeneration, and employment across the cities and counties.