Member News
The proposed appointment - which is subject to Cabinet approval - forms part of the introduction of a revised senior management structure for TVCA Group, which has seen the removal of the Group Chief Executive role and creation of separate leadership for TVCA and the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC).
The change comes at an important moment for the region. There is significant work to be done to deliver priorities for the coming years and new opportunities presented by the Devolution White Paper.
A multi-stage external recruitment process involving an extensive range of stakeholders was overseen by recruitment agency Penna, which carried out a comprehensive nationwide talent search.
The selection process included representatives of bodies including TVCA Cabinet, TVCA Overview and Scrutiny Committee, TVCA Audit and Governance Committee, Tees Valley Business Board, Constituent Tees Valley Local Authorities, South Tees Development Corporation, Hartlepool Development Corporation and Teesside International Airport.
It also included a representative of the Independent Advisory Board working with TVCA on the development and implementation of the Organisational Improvement Plan, following receipt of the Best Value Notice.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We are at a hugely exciting and pivotal moment for our region and it is vital that we continue to build upon what we have already achieved.
“It’s therefore essential we have the right person in place to deliver this for the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool and to ensure we achieve our goals to drive forward our fantastic region.
“That is why we ensured this nationwide recruitment was as rigorous as possible and involved all our key stakeholders from right across the political spectrum and all parts of our region. I would like to extend my thanks to the individuals and organisations who have been closely involved in this highly detailed and collaborative process.
“This has been vital in guaranteeing we put forward the very best candidate for Cabinet to consider – I am confident that Tom can lead the organisation forward with the skill, ambition and professionalism needed to achieve our ambition.”
The salary for the TVCA Chief Executive post is £160,000 a year.
TVCA Cabinet will also be separately asked to approve the appointment to a second newly created role of Director of Inward Investment and Marketing.
TVCA Head of Marketing and Communications Craig Peacock has been recommended for appointment to the role, which was subject to a similar multi-stage recruitment process involving key stakeholders to the Chief Executive appointment.
He has been a key member of the Combined Authority since the organisation’s inception in 2016.
The post-holder will be responsible for attracting and facilitating large-scale inward investment into Tees Valley, including working with UK’s Government’s Office for Investment.
