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Boards and Groups

Strategic Board

Purpose

The Strategic Board provides the highest level of accountability and decision-making for the partnership and will approve significant documents prior to submission to Government, such as the Strategic Transport Plan (new or refreshed), Annual Business Plan, and business cases the Midlands Connect team wishes to submit to Government for review.

Members

Our Strategic Board includes local authority leaders, local enterprise partnership chairs and representatives from national delivery bodies, our Steering Group and the Department for Transport. Membership lists are live and will be reviewed regularly with partners.

  • Sir John Peace, Chair, Midlands Connect
  • Mayor Claire Ward, East Midlands Combined County Authority representing East Midlands Local Transport Authority Leaders
  • Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester City Mayor representing East Midlands Local Transport Authority Leaders
  • Cllr Richard Davies, Lincolnshire County Council representing East Midlands Local Transport Authority Leaders
  • Cllr Jo Monk, Worcestershire County Council representing West Midlands Local Transport Authority Leaders
  • Cllr Ian Cooper, Staffordshire County Council representing West Midlands Local Transport Authority Leaders
  • Corin Crane, Coventry & Warwickshire Chambers of Commerce representing Chambers
  • Rob Morris, Siemens, representing the creative or innovative technologies industry/sector
  • Denise Wetton, Network Rail
  • Nick Harris, National Highways
  • Maria Machancoses, Midlands Connect

Audit and Governance Committee 

Purpose

The Audit and Governance Committee advises the Strategic Board on all matters relating to audit and governance of Midlands Connect makes recommendations on matters such as: 

  • The effectiveness of governance
  • Risk management and internal controls
  • Financial management and reporting
  • Internal and external audit functions.

Members

Our Audit and Governance Committee includes representatives from local government, non-local government and the section 151 officer. Membership lists are live and will be reviewed regularly with partners.

  • Chair (Vacant)
  • Vice Chair (Vacant)
  • Mark Ryder, Warwickshire County Council
  • Richard Blackmore, East Midlands Chamber
  • Jag Johal, West Midlands Combined Authority

Steering Group 

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Steering Group is to provide advice and expertise to the Midlands Connect team and make recommendations to the Midlands Connect Strategic Board.  The Steering Group helps shape the Annual Business Plan and ensure the programme is delivered in accordance with the Midlands Connect Strategic Transport Plan and Annual Business Plan.

Members will provide information on the collective/regional support they need to improve transport connectivity across the Midlands in terms of research, projects, data and other support which will inform Annual Business Plan and future Strategic Transport Plan.  

Meetings will provide an effective platform for the exchange of views and information between partners in the region and national delivery bodies and the government.

Members

Our Steering Group includes representatives from local transport authorities, local enterprise partnerships/business representation, chambers of commerce, airports and national delivery bodies and the Department for Transport. Membership lists are live and will be reviewed regularly with partners.

  • Chair (Vacant)
  • Andy Gutherson, Steering Group Vice Chair and Executive Director of Place, Lincolnshire County Council
  • Andrew Smith, Leicester City Council representing East Midlands Local Transport Authority Director
  • Stuart Everton, City of Wolverhampton Council representing West Midlands Local Transport Authority Director
  • Mark Ryder, Warwickshire County Council representing West Midlands Local Transport Authority Director
  • Dan Taylor, Department for Transport
  • Simon Richards, Birmingham Airport representing International Gateways and Freeports
  • Jon Bottomley, East Midlands Airport representing International Gateways and Freeports
  • Richard Blackmore, East Midlands Chamber
  • Raj Kandola, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce representing West Midlands Chambers
  • Richard Leonard, National Highways
  • Sarah Windrum, Horiba Mira representing the creative or innovative technologies industry/sector
  • Gavin Dowland, Network Rail
  • Mal Drury-Rose, West Midlands Rail Executive representing Transport for the West Midlands
  • Andrew Pritchard, East Midlands Councils representing Transport for the East Midlands
  • Richard Grice, East Midlands County Combined Authority
  • Maria Machancoses, Midlands Connect

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