Julie Gilhespie
Group Chief Executive
Julie joined the organisation in August 2017 as the Finance Director for the Tees Valley Combined Authority and South Tees Development Corporation, overseeing the complex financial arrangements necessary to make a success of devolution and the economic transformation of the Tees Valley.
An experienced commercial chartered accountant, Julie undertakes important statutory responsibilities to ensure the efficient and transparent use of new funding available to the area.
Previous to her role, Julie worked for Learning Curve Group Limited where she was Group Finance Director and also held a director’s role in Deloitte’s national public sector infrastructure team for more than 10 years. She brings many years’ experience in the public and private sector, particularly working on major public-private infrastructure projects for schools and hospitals.
Helen Kemp
Group Director of Business & Skills
Helen's current remit covers business and skills support for indigenous businesses and inward investors alongside the development of Net Zero and Creative Place across the Tees Valley.
Helen has previously worked around the country in a range of roles covering IT, Facilities Management, Planning, Housing, Economic Development, Customer Services and Criminal Justice Reform in both local and central government. Her earlier experience was gained in engineering and marketing in the private sector including British Steel on Teesside.
Gary Macdonald
Group Director of Finance & Resources
He joined the Combined Authority from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where he led the delivery of financial services supporting significant efficiency and improvement programmes.
His roles have included Chief Financial Officer for North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Chief Financial and Assurance officer at University of Sunderland and he is also a Trustee of River Tees Multi Academy Trust in Middlesbrough supporting the Trust’s Alternative Provision services to local communities.
Gary is passionate about the delivery of public services to local communities and being born in Saltburn, brought up in Redcar and living in Stockton-on-Tees will look to bring all of his expertise to support the development of the Tees Valley. He is proud that his Education has seen him attend John E Batty Primary School, Bishopsgarth School (now Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth) with his further education and professional studies also including attendance at; Redcar & Cleveland College, Darlington College of Technology and the North East Chamber of Commerce.
Tom Bryant
Director of Infrastructure
Tom has extensive experience across the public sector shaping policy and delivery across a wide range of agendas. He has more than 20 years of experience in Local Government.
He joined the TVCA in 2019 as Head of Transport and is now responsible for delivering a £1.5 billion transport programme to transform the Tees Valley’s transport system.
Tom also leads teams working to position the Tees Valley at the forefront of the digital revolution and delivering transformational projects to revitalise town centres, secure inward investment and create high-quality jobs.