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The Mayor

In May 2024, Claire Ward was elected Mayor of the East Midlands, representing 2.2 million people across the region.

The Mayor has responsibility for transport, skills and adult education, housing and land, net-zero and economic development.

As the Chair of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, the Mayor works with partners across the region and beyond to deliver transformational change for the East Midlands.

The Mayor also acts as a champion for the region, influencing Government at a national level to boost growth and innovation, shape policy and access further funding.

Find out more about The Mayor
Mayor of the East Midlands

Our Corporate Plan

The Corporate Plan sets out the collective regional agenda to be delivered in the year ahead. It brings together the ambition and priorities of the Mayor, the EMCCA Board and the work being taken forward by our Portfolio Leads into a single annual delivery plan.

View our Corporate Plan

What is the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA)?

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA for short), is chaired by the Mayor of the East Midlands and brings together our local council leaders, businesses and communities with one shared mission: To unlock opportunity, improve lives, and build a stronger, greener, and fairer East Midlands.

This is a powerful partnership, with membership made up of the directly elected Mayor and democratically elected councillors from our East Midlands partner councils of Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council – united by the belief that we achieve more together.

EMCCA is about local people shaping local decisions. Approved by the Government, it gives our region new powers and funding — known as a devolution deal — so we can take control of the things that matter most.

We look after billions in funding and work on big plans and projects that work to improve the whole region, including:

  • Growing the economy – Bringing in new investment, helping businesses, and creating good jobs.
  • Transport – Making it easier to get around by improving buses, trains, roads, and cycle routes.
  • Skills and adult education – Giving people the chance to learn the skills that local employers need.
  • Housing – Helping to build more affordable, good-quality homes, and making older homes more energy efficient.
  • Environment – Supporting clean energy, creating greener spaces, and helping communities live healthier lives
Find out more about our priorities

Our Leadership Team

Our Leadership Team lead the organisation, driving forward the vision for the authority. They help to shape the strategic direction and deliver the benefits of devolution.

Amy Harhoff
Chief Executive

Amy Harhoff

Amy Harhoff is Chief Executive and leads the organisation as it sets out an ambitious vision for the future of the region. Working alongside Mayor Claire Ward, Amy is driving forward EMCCA’s ambitious agenda, focused on improving transport, housing, skills, employment, and climate resilience. Her leadership is rooted in collaboration and delivery, bringing together local authorities, businesses, and communities to unlock the region’s full potential. With a clear vision for inclusive growth, Amy is harnessing the East Midlands’ strengths, from world-class universities and global industries to a thriving visitor economy and rich cultural heritage. Under her leadership, EMCCA is building a more connected, skilled, and sustainable region - one with a strong identity and shared purpose. Her appointment also marks EMCCA as the only Mayoral Combined Authority led by both a female Mayor and Chief Executive - a powerful statement of inclusive and forward-looking leadership for the East Midlands. Amy’s vision is rooted in collaboration and delivery, bringing together local authorities, business, and anchor institutions to create a step change for the East Midlands. Through her leadership, EMCCA is building momentum and turning ambition into action for the benefit of the entire region.
damien
Executive Director of Strategy and Inclusive Growth

Damien Dacey

Damien Dacey is the Executive Director of Strategy and Inclusive Growth, leading on skills, employment, business growth, innovation, and strategic investment. He plays a central role in shaping the region’s strategic direction and delivering the benefits of devolution. His work is key to ensuring that new powers and increased investment translate into real, long-term improvements for the people and places of the East Midlands. Driving EMCCA’s work to boost business growth, innovation, and opportunity - Damien brings together partners to create jobs, attract investment, and support a more sustainable and inclusive future for the region. He also leads efforts to address inequality and close skills gaps by investing in education, training, and employment initiatives that help residents access and progress in quality jobs. Through his leadership, the authority is laying strong foundations for long-term, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, where opportunity is available to all across the region.
edward
Executive Director of Place

Edward Highfield

Edward Highfield is the Executive Director of Place and leads the authority’s ambitious work across Transport, Net Zero, Spatial Panning and Housing. He plays a central role in delivering EMCCA’s mission to unlock inclusive growth and opportunity across the region. He is at the forefront of transformational programmes that will improve how people move, live, and work across the East Midlands. He is spearheading efforts to transform regional transport, improve connectivity, accelerating progress towards a cleaner and greener East Midlands and ensuring the delivery thousands of high-quality homes - laying the foundations for thriving, sustainable communities.
richard
Executive Director for Resources

Richard Williams

Richard Williams is the Executive Director of Resources, leading the organisation’s core business functions, including finance, HR, procurement, audit, and business operations. Richard plays a key role in shaping EMCCA’s financial strategy and supporting the development of strong, effective internal systems that allow the organisation to deliver lasting impact for the region. He is also responsible for building our commercial relationships and ensuring our operations are robust, transparent, and future-focused. Richard is committed to embedding EMCCA’s values at every level of the organisation. He champions a culture where collaboration, authenticity, and accountability guide our decisions and actions. Through his leadership, EMCCA is not only delivering for the East Midlands but also becoming a great place to work—where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to make a difference.
Jodie
Monitoring Officer

Jodie Townsend

As Monitoring Officer, Jodie is statutorily responsible for governance reporting to the Combined County Authority on any illegality or maladministration, this includes supporting our Board to ensure proper oversight of the organisation’s activities and compliance with our legal and regulatory obligations.
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