First chief executive appointed for WM combined authority

She has headed Suffolk council since 2011, taking on that job for £155,000 a year – £48,000 less than her predecessor.

Ms Cadman is now on £170,000 – still one of the lowest salaries among UK local authority bosses – and isn't in line for a major pay boost despite her move. It was revealed earlier this year that the chief executive of the combined authority will be paid no more than £180,000.

Deborah Cadman has held a number of senior posts in her career, including chief executive of the East of England Development Agency and chief executive at St Edmundsbury Borough Council in Suffolk. She was awarded an OBE for services to local government in 2006 and is

She will be working alongside Andy Street, the recently elected first Mayor of the West Midlands, who said: “After a robust recruitment process I am thrilled that Deborah has agreed to join the WMCA as our chief executive.

"I was keen that we considered only the very best candidates for this important post and Deborah was the strongest candidate in an excellent field.

“She will bring a great energy to the role as well as a natural enthusiasm for the region. She also has a strong track record in developing and maintaining relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders. This will be essential as we keep momentum going with central government to bring further powers and responsibilities from Westminster to the West Midlands.”

Councillor Bob Sleigh, Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Deborah joins us in September at a very exciting time. We’ve achieved so much as a combined authority in the past two years, with a huge amount of collaboration and support from across the region.

However, now we need to move to the next level and having a permanent chief executive of Deborah’s calibre to work alongside our newly elected mayor makes for a very bright future.”

Deborah Cadman said: “I am delighted to have been offered the post of chief executive at the WMCA. This is such a fabulous moment in time for the West Midlands and is an irresistible opportunity to work alongside our newly-elected mayor and bring greater prosperity to a region I know so well.

“I will be taking the reins over from Martin Reeves who has been amazing as interim chief executive, whilst maintaining the same post at Coventry City Council. Martin is an incredibly hard act to follow and I am indebted to him for all his visionary work to date.”

Ms Cadman is well thought of in Suffolk, where the county council leader Colin Noble said: “Deborah has been a real asset for Suffolk, and whilst I recognise this is an exciting new opportunity, like many other I will be incredibly sad to see her leave.

“The impact Deborah has made can not be underestimated. Educational attainment levels in Suffolk are now significantly higher, with 86% of schools rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. Over £200 million of essential budget savings have been delivered and staff morale is much higher than when Deborah joined us in 2011.

“This is all testament to Deborah’s hard working nature, ability to build partnerships with people and solid leadership skills. We wish her the very best in her new role, of which we’re confident she’ll make a huge success.”

The new combined authority is made up of Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and the four Black Country councils: Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall. The new body has the job of overseeing economic growth across the region, with powers over transport, housing and infrastructure.