South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has appointed Martin Swales to step in as interim Chief Executive and head of paid service, following Dr Dave Smith’s decision to stand down at the end of June.
Martin first joined SYMCA in March 2021, and has provided interim senior leadership as a director in the MCA. An experienced leader, Martin served as Chief Executive of South Tyneside Council for over 10 years, was UK president of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and was one of nine Chief Executives covering the English regions, working directly with Government on development of national policy.
Martin also held responsibilities including head of paid service of the Northeast Combined Authority and served on the Board of Newcastle Airport.
Welcoming the announcement, Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, said: “Martin’s experience and his influence across both local government and in Westminster will allow us to continue driving forward our ambitious plans to fix our buses, hit our net-zero goals, and build a better economy, not just a bigger economy here in South Yorkshire.
“I’d like to put on record my thanks to Dr Dave Smith, who has led the organisation so expertly over the last few years. In Martin, we’re lucky to be able to appoint an interim CEO who knows the organisation and the region so well and can hit the ground running from day one.”
Martin Swales said: “I am privileged to have the opportunity to lead SYMCA through this period. It is a hugely exciting time for the region as the new Mayor takes forward our ambitions to drive economic growth, improve transport and serve the communities of South Yorkshire.
“Together with our strong leadership team, in collaboration with our Local Authority partners and the private sector, I look forward to continuing at pace and at scale to attract new and more investment to the region – to make a positive impact on South Yorkshire’s places, businesses and people.”
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