New Interim Managing Director Appointed to Combined Authority

The Tees Valley Combined Authority has today appointed Julie Gilhespie as its new Interim Managing Director.

The appointment follows the announcement that the current Managing Director, Andrew Lewis, is to become the new Chief Executive of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The Combined Authority has started a recruitment process for a permanent successor to Andrew Lewis who has been in post for two years.

Commenting on the announcement, Andrew Lewis said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my career to have been the first Managing Director of the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

“Over the past two years, partners in the Tees Valley have created a strong and effective devolved authority, and started to deliver on the many opportunities of devolution.

“As I prepare to move onto new challenges, I want to thank the Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, who Chairs the Combined Authority, our Cabinet members, and our many other partners, including the Local Enterprise Partnership Board, for their support and strong leadership during this critical time in the Tees Valley’s devolution journey.

“I look forward to taking up the Chief Executive role at one of the largest and highest performing unitary authorities in the North of England. I am also delighted that Julie Gilhespie has agreed to take on the role as Interim Managing Director, and will work with her to ensure a smooth transition.”

Julie Gilhespie has been the Director of Finance for both the Combined Authority and the South Tees Development Corporation since August 2017.