Leadership Team

As Executive Director of Strategy and Inclusive Growth, Damien is driving forward a dynamic and forward-thinking approach to economic development, employment, and skills across the East Midlands.  He has worked in the region since October 2023 leading the devolution programme to establish the authority and previously supported the Chief Executive during its first phase of growth. Before that, he spent a decade in the UK Civil Service in a variety of policy development and programme delivery roles where latterly he worked on the cross-government effort to widen and deepen devolution in several parts of the country – including the East Midlands.

As Executive Director of Place at EMCCA, he is overseeing key areas including Transport, Net Zero, and Housing. He plays a central role in driving the organisation’s initiatives to transform regional transport opportunities for those who live, work and do business in the region, and help to deliver 1,400 high-quality homes by March 2026.  Edward joined EMCCA from Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire, where he was Director of Skills and Regeneration for over three years, looking after planning and development, business and economy, employment and skills, as well as major projects. 

As Executive Director Resources, Richard is leading on finance, HR, procurement, business operations and audit functions. He is also playing a key role in developing our financial strategy and our commercial relationships. Richard has extensive and wide ranging financial, commercial and transformation experience. He is a CIPFA qualified accountant whose career spans both public and private sectors. He joined EMCCA from Southampton City Council where he was interim Director of Finance. His has previous worked at the City of Edinburgh Council, Cornwall Council and Somerset County Council. Prior to these roles, Richard worked in public sector consultancy for KPMG and PwC.

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. Jodie has over 20 years’ experience working in governance, the past seven years of which have been in Combined Authorities. During this time, he has delivered a number of successful governance transformation projects, as well as acting as the Monitoring Officer at District Council, City Council and Combined Authority level.

As Interim Transport Programme Director for Transport, Peter oversees not just the establishment of the transport division at EMCCA, but also the development of the regional transport strategy and investment programme. Peter joined the East Midlands devolution programme team in September 2023, bringing 35 years of local government transport and highways experience, including at senior level in Oxford, Oxfordshire, Bristol and at the West of England Combined Authority.