Katharine Hammond Named Chief Executive – Exciting Announcement!

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

We are thrilled to announce that Katharine Hammond has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). Her appointment comes after an extensive recruitment process involving the Mayor, Council Leaders, and various stakeholders, and was confirmed at a recent meeting of the SYMCA Board.

Katharine will be working closely with South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, to drive forward SYMCA’s ambitious plans across various sectors such as transport, policing, skills, housing, growth, and more. This appointment is particularly significant as SYMCA will soon be granted new powers and responsibilities under the English Devolution Bill, including an integrated funding settlement that will empower the Mayor to make spending decisions tailored to the needs of South Yorkshire.

With a wealth of leadership experience in the civil service, Katharine brings a diverse skill set that spans strategy, policy, delivery, and change. She has previously served as the Director of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, supporting COBR through numerous emergencies, and has worked extensively in areas such as the criminal justice system, national security, and the expansion of civil service roles in the North.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Katharine Hammond stated, “I’m excited to be joining Mayor Oliver Coppard, the SYMCA team, and South Yorkshire Leaders. I can’t wait to get stuck in and do the best possible job for the people of South Yorkshire. I want to raise South Yorkshire’s profile even more nationally and internationally, bring in new opportunities, and collaborate with partners across the region who share the same vision. Together, I believe we can achieve great things.”

Mayor Oliver Coppard also shared his excitement about Katharine’s appointment, highlighting her role in helping to achieve the authority’s ambitious goals in areas such as transport, net-zero initiatives, policing, skills, housing, and overall growth. He emphasized the importance of dynamic and effective leadership as SYMCA prepares to submit Spending Review bids, develop an Industrial Strategy, and implement an integrated financial settlement as part of their Level 4 Devolution Deal.

This is a pivotal moment for South Yorkshire, and Katharine’s expertise and experience are set to play a crucial role in shaping the region’s future success. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of this new leadership on the community and the environment.

Image credit: South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority