New Senior Appointment at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has appointed to a key leadership role.  

Kate Jones has been appointed as Director of Policy and Strategy following a rigorous, competitive national recruitment process. 

Kate has held a number of senior civil service roles in the Cabinet Office, leading on national priorities including public services and resilience. Prior to that, Kate served as Private Secretary to the Civil Service Chief Operating Officer and Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary, during the UK’s exit from the European Union and the pandemic. 

Kate has a strong background in devolution. As part the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, she led on the development and delivery of some of the early devolution deals, including preparation with local partners ahead of the first mayoral elections.   

Kate Jones said: 

“I am delighted to be joining the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority at this critical time, to build on the success of devolution to date. The Liverpool City Region is internationally renowned for its world leading innovation research and products, alongside its vibrant cultural heritage. I look forward to working with the Mayor and our partners to create more opportunities to drive economic growth and deliver for residents."

The key leadership position comes early on in Mayor Steve Rotheram’s third term of office and will play a key role in leading the delivery of the Mayor’s and Combined Authority’s strategic plans to grow the city region’s economy.  

Working closely with the Combined Authority’s six constituent local authorities, partners and with central Government, Kate will provide strategic advice to the Mayor and Chief Executive and lead the development and implementation of policies and strategies, ensuring the Combined Authority has the right frameworks in place to inform its investment and delivery decisions.  Kate will also lead our Policy and Evidence, and Research and Intelligence teams.

 Welcoming the appointment, Mayor Steve Rotheram said:  

“Kate joins us at a pivotal time for our city region. Her experience at the heart of government and deep understanding of public policy will be invaluable as we enter a new chapter of delivery and ambition.

“I want to take our region to the next level – creating more opportunities, attracting more investment, and ensuring that no one is left behind. I’m confident Kate will play a key role in shaping the strategies that will get us there, creating a more prosperous Liverpool City Region for everyone who calls it home.”

Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Kate to my outstanding executive team here at the Combined Authority.

“Kate’s extensive policy and strategy experience, much of it at the heart of government, make her an exceptional fit for this vital role.  She was appointed following an extremely competitive national recruitment process and I’m really looking forward to working with her.

“I’m sure Kate will play an important part in our ambitious plans to drive the region forward and deliver real benefits for everyone who lives and works here.”

Kate will take up her new role on Monday 12 May 2025.

ENDS