West Yorkshire Mayor thanks outgoing Chief Executive

The Mayor of West Yorkshire has paid tribute to outgoing Chief Executive Ben Still after a decade at the Combined Authority.

Dr Still, Chief Executive of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, will leave his role in November to take over the reins at Thames Freeport.

Mayor Tracy Brabin has thanked Dr Still for his ten years of service, which included successfully leading the work to secure devolution and funding deals for the people of West Yorkshire.

This led to the establishment of the Mayoral Combined Authority and securing Established Mayoral Strategic Authority status alongside an integrated settlement for the region this year.

During his tenure, the Combined Authority has grown to an organisation with an annual budget for investment in West Yorkshire of £1.2 billion, and a leading body in the sector.

Dr Still’s time has also seen the successful delivery of several infrastructure projects, including new railway and bus stations, significantly boosting affordable house building rates in the region, and the rollout of an improved adult skills programme.

Dr Still has also put in place the groundwork and led the negotiations that next year will see the Combined Authority start the rollout of publicly-run bus services as part of the Weaver Network.

He was also a key advocate for expanding devolution across England as part of the UK Mayors CEO Network, which he chaired from June 2022 until this month.

Outgoing Chief Executive Ben Still said:

“After a decade working for the Combined Authority, I’ve been searching for a fresh challenge and am really pleased to be joining Thames Freeport, a public-private partnership, working with the key London ports, local and regional authorities in Essex and London to drive economic growth and regeneration in some of the most deprived areas of the Thames estuary.

“West Yorkshire is a truly fantastic place to live, work and raise a family. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with so many talented colleagues and partners.

“While I will be sad to leave, I do so with great confidence in the future of the region and with many fond memories of my time here.”

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said:

“Ben has led the Combined Authority expertly over the last decade, overseeing its transformation from its infancy, to one of the leading established Mayoral Strategic Authorities in the country.

“Under Ben’s leadership, the Combined Authority has worked with partners to deliver thousands of new homes, new railway stations, and put us on track to deliver our new franchised Weaver Network buses.

“I am grateful for Ben’s support and guidance in my five years as Mayor, helping me navigate tricky issues and negotiations with intellect and good sense.

“His dedication and commitment as a public servant are second to none, and I wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Rt Hon Ruth Kelly, Chair of Thames Freeport, said:

“Ben brings exactly the blend of experience Thames Freeport needs as we move from planning into large-scale delivery. He has a strong track record of turning ambitious growth strategies into real outcomes for people and places, and of working across government, business and Combined Authorities to get things done.

“I look forward to working with Ben as we take Thames Freeport into its next phase.”

Dr Still will leave the Combined Authority at the beginning of November. A search for his successor is underway, and an interim replacement will be secured quickly for the initial period, while the right person is found to lead the Combined Authority into its next exciting stage of growth and delivery.