Mayor announces recruitment drive for his new ‘Council of Experts’

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, today called on the region’s brightest minds to join him in changing thousands of lives for the better.

The recruitment drive seeks members for four taskforces that will help deliver his ambitious vision, built around the four key priorities:

• Jobs for everyone – Investing in jobs, skills, training, and apprenticeships, reducing youth unemployment, and ensuring everyone has a job that pays well.
• Homes for everyone – Building social and affordable homes and creating vibrant communities so that everyone will have a place to call home.
• Growth for everyone – Helping businesses grow, supporting innovation and creativity, and making sure everyone benefits while protecting the environment.
• Journeys for everyone – Connecting communities and making travel easier, safer, and more affordable for everyone.

The ‘Council of Experts’ will bring together expertise from across the region to make sure these priorities deliver real results.

They’ll play a critical role in advising the Mayor on how to create thousands of jobs and training opportunities, build affordable homes, and transform public transport - all with a clear focus on the people and communities who stand to benefit the most.

This recruitment campaign is targeting talent from businesses, universities, colleges, the health sector, think tanks, skills and training organisations, trade unions, and the voluntary and community sectors.

Each taskforce will not only offer expert advice but also challenge current policies and put forward innovative, community-driven solutions to tackle the region’s biggest challenges.

Mayor Richard Parker said: “My mission is simple: real jobs, affordable homes, and better public transport for the people of the West Midlands.

“We need to act fast, and I want the best minds around the table to help make that happen. The West Midlands is full of talent, innovation, and creativity, and I’m looking for people who care as much as I do about building a better future for our communities.

“Together, we can make a real, lasting difference.”

The advert is now live on the WMCA website and applications are open until 11 November 2024.