Ed Cox Email & Phone Number

I am an innovative and collaborative leader with experience in a diverse range of institutional environments including in central and local government, in a think-tank and in the third sector. At the West Midlands Combined Authority I have put leadership, policy and strategy into practice, successfully negotiating England's first 'trailblazer devolution deal' on behalf of the region and driving forward plans with government for a game-changing, departmental-style single settlement, an Investment Zone and Levelling Up Zones. I lead on economic strategy and delivery including the WM Plan for Growth, innovation and business support, and I have led the development and delivery of the WMCA's award-winning climate change agenda from its inception.I have researched and written over 30 reports about economic development in the North and I am widely recognised for my thought-leadership in a variety of fields including transport infrastructure, skills and education, trade and investment, energy, health innovation and devolution. I have built a reputation for championing new agendas with conviction, enthusiasm and integrity, including as a policy adviser to a former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Through excellent communication and interpersonal skills, I have established wide-ranging networks at the highest level of policy-making both in the North of England, particularly in its major cities, in the West Midlands and on a national stage. I am recognised as a motivational communicator and facilitator, receiving regular invitations to speak at and chair conferences and commissions, speak and write for a variety of high level media outlets, as well as convene smaller multi-agency working parties task-and-finish groups.I have a diverse portfolio of non-exec roles. I am the founder and chair of the Levenshulme Inspire community centre - an award-winning social enterprise hub in inner city Manchester; I am the chair of Involve - the leading national public participation charity; and I am a board member of the People's Powerhouse CIC.

Listed skills include Community Engagement, Public Policy, Stakeholder Engagement, Public Affairs, and 5 others.