Mayor Ben Houchen
Tees Valley Mayor
Ben is a solicitor by profession, and was the CEO of BLK, a sports clothing company based in Stockton. He has also worked for two Teesside law firms, in commercial litigation and employment law, since graduating in law at Northumbria University.
He grew up in Ingelby Barwick and attended Conyers School, Yarm.
Email: [email protected]
Councillor Steve Harker
Leader of Darlington Borough Council and Deputy Mayor
He has held a number of Cabinet portfolios on Darlington Borough Council, including the Resources portfolio. Councillor Harker strongly believes that the Combined Authority, working together with the 5 Tees Valley Councils, can bring beneficial change to people across the Tees Valley.
Councillor Harker grew up in Stokesley and moved to Darlington in 1990. He worked in the software industry for over 30 years, supporting the day-to-day operations of the UK rail industry.
Councillor Mike Young
Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council
During his time, he has held the positions of Chair of Licensing, Chair of Planning and Chair of Economic Growth & Regeneration, as well as Deputy Leader.
Councillor Young joined the Combined Authority in 2023 after being elected Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council.
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Mayor Chris Cooke
Mayor of Middlesbrough
During his four years as a councillor, Chris also worked as a community cohesion coordinator.
Chris is committed to raising the life chances of the most vulnerable people in society.
Councillor Alec Brown
Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
Councillor Brown, who serves in the Kirkleatham ward in Redcar, was first elected to the Council in 2015. He served as the Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods in the Council’s administration between 2015 and 2019.
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Councillor Bob Cook
Leader of Stockton Borough Council
Councillor Cook represents the Borough on a range of bodies including the Association of North East Councils, Local Government Association General Assembly, North East Purchasing Organisation and North East Regional Employers’ Organisation. He worked in the chemical industry for 31 years before taking up his current post of Agent/Office Manager for Stockton North MP, Alex Cunningham, in 2010.
Email: [email protected]
Siobhan McArdle
Business Board Chair
Prior to that Siobhan worked as a Management Consultant working nationally and internationally on strategy development, performance improvement , turnaround and transformational change in partnership with large global corporate organisations, high growth SMEs and public sector organisations including the NHS.
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