12.03.19
City and county councils appoint joint director to deliver economic growth across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire
Peterborough and Cambridgeshire councils have appointed a joint executive director in order to boost the city and county economy, completing the management team of the wholly joined-up joint services.
Steve Cox will take on the role of executive director for place and economy at both Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council, and will leave his current post at Thurrock Council.
The city and county council made the joint announcement, saying Cox will lead one of the UK’s only joint-services concentrated on both a city unitary and county council area under chief executive Gillian Beasley.
Peterborough City Council leader John Holdich said: “To take responsibility for delivering improvements not just for Cambridgeshire – but for Peterborough, a city with huge growth aspiration and a multicultural and diverse economy – which provides considerable challenges as well as great opportunities, we were certainly looking for an exceptional director – with a wide and varied background.
“I am convinced Steve is the right person for the role.”
Steve Count, leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, echoed Holdich, stating that they had found the right person to help continue to develop Cambridgeshire and work in the biggest shared service of its type in the county, sharing high levels of leadership and management expertise.
Cox is currently the corporate director of Thurrock Council where he has held responsibility for England’s highest rated planning service and delivering a £500m capital programme.
He has previously worked as director of growth for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, as well as posts across Hertfordshire County Council and the East of England Development Agency.
Steve Cox commented: “I am delighted to have been given this tremendous opportunity to work with two ambitious local authorities on an unrivalled agenda for growth.
“I look forward to working with colleagues in both councils to build a new and dynamic shared service and to work with partners across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to realise the area’s huge potential.”
Lyn Carpenter, Thurrock Council’s chief executive, also congratulated Cox, stating: “The contribution Steve has made over the years can be seen in so many areas of the borough. On behalf of the council, I offer our collective thanks for his leadership and commitment to delivering the significant agenda here.
“Steve will be a hard act to follow but I am delighted that he has been appointed as executive director of place and economy. I know all at Thurrock Council wish him every success in his new role.”