Lord Digby Jones 'seriously considering' running for mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority

The 60-year-old former director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) told the Express & Star his passion for the region coupled with expertise and connections in the business world meant he had the right attributes to oversee the combined authority.

And he warned the importance of the role should not be 'diluted by a party political in-fight'.

The region is set to elect its first mayor in 2017. Last October Lord Jones rated his chances of running for mayor as 'no more than five or 10 per cent', but he admitted he has warmed to the idea in recent months.

Speaking at the launch of two new LEMA academies is Dudley and Birmingham, Lord Jones said he would only run for the position as an independent candidate. "I will not fight on a party ticket," he added. "I will do it as a non-party person or not at all.

"I'm internationally well connected, which would help with overseas investment and I'm known in London, which would help with banging the drum there.

"On the other hand I wonder if this is really a job for a 40-year-old, plus not standing for a political party means that all the money and power of Labour and the Conservatives would be against me.

"I have given this a great deal of thought. I have very clear views and an independent spirit. I care enormously and the position is something I am seriously considering.

"My heart says do it, my head says think about it. Of course someone would have to tell the wife."

Lord Jones served as trade minister under Gordon Brown, becoming the first minister in the country who didn't belong to the party of government.

He said the UK was a 'devolved-minded' country and urged the entire region to get behind the WMCA.

"There's a bus leaving town, and we're either going to be on it or we're not," he said.

"As a region it is time for everyone to bury their differences and come together. You're going to go to London to get the money and you're going to take the fight to the world and you're going to win it.

"That needs leadership. I would like to see every taxpayer in the West Midlands being given a vote for a leader, who would then appoint their own cabinet.

"Some of that cabinet would be political, and some would be appointed. Wouldn't it be great to have a doctor in charge of the hospitals in the West Midlands or a headteacher in charge of education?"

Last month Labour announced it would pick a mayoral candidate in July through a members ballot. Potential candidates include West Midlands MEP Sion Simon and Sandwell Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper.