The West Midlands Combined Authority has officially appointed Ed Cox as its new Chief Executive, following a meeting of the Employment Committee and formal approval from the Mayor and leaders of the seven constituent local authorities.
Cox has been serving as Interim Chief Executive since June 2025, leading the organisation through a period of major economic, housing and infrastructure programmes designed to deliver the Mayor’s priorities on jobs, homes, growth and transport. His confirmation marks a continuation of the strategic direction he has helped shape over the past year.
During his interim leadership, Cox has overseen a series of significant milestones for the region. This includes delivery of the first West Midlands Regional Investment Summit, launching the West Midlands Investment Prospectus and successfully securing £1 billion in private investment to boost growth and regeneration.
He also launched the West Midlands Growth Plan, outlining how the regional economy could expand by £17 billion by 2035, with the potential to add £8,600 to the average resident’s income.
Under Cox’s leadership, housing delivery increased fourfold, keeping the WMCA on course to meet its 7,000‑home target for 2025/26. Cox also initiated the Social Housing Accelerator, a programme focused on converting 1,000 homes to social rent.
Cox commissioned the Rosewell Review, aimed at strengthening the delivery of major infrastructure programmes and ensuring value from the region’s £2.4 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.
He implemented a £75 million construction skills package, alongside expanding employment support schemes such as West Midlands Works, which is set to help 93,000 local people into good‑quality jobs over the next decade.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said:
“Ed has provided strong leadership at an important moment for our region. He has driven delivery, strengthened our partnerships and brought clarity and focus to the organisation.
“We are moving at pace to create jobs, build homes and improve transport. Ed’s appointment gives us stability and momentum as we deliver the Growth Plan and secure more investment for the West Midlands.”
Birmingham‑born Cox joined the WMCA in May 2020 as Director of Public Service Reform, before becoming Deputy Chief Executive, leading strategic work on the economy and net zero. His appointment as Interim Chief Executive in 2025 followed a period of organisational transition.
Since stepping into the role, he has:
- Strengthened collaboration with local councils and partners
- Helped secure a £2 billion multi‑year Integrated Settlement with the UK Government
- Led reforms to stabilise WMCA’s finances
- Modernised governance and refreshed leadership structures
Commenting on his appointment, Cox added:
“It has been a privilege to serve the West Midlands over the past five years, and I’m incredibly excited to continue this by leading the WMCA at such a critical moment for the region.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor, our councils and partners to deliver real improvements for our people and businesses with the most ambitious development opportunities we’ve seen in decades and a growing range of devolved responsibilities that will build a stronger, more inclusive regional economy.”
These reforms have been supported by a new people and culture strategy and an internal transformation programme aligned with the Mayor’s priorities and the recommendations of a recent Local Government Association peer review.
Image credit: West Midlands Combined Authority
