Senior Leadership Board

Chief Executive Officer, Ben Still

The Chief Executive Officer provides figurehead leadership and overall direction to the Combined Authority, leading the execution of long-term strategies for the development of West Yorkshire.​

This role is designated as the Head of Paid Service for the Combined Authority with overall responsibility for the management and coordination of the officer body of the Authority, including ensuring that the Authority has the appropriate level of resources and capabilities required to discharge the Authority’s functions.

In particular, the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for coordinating strategy, development and delivery with the Mayor, Members of the Authority, the West Yorkshire Business Board and partner councils to ensure that the Authority’s corporate priorities are actively progressed and its objectives delivered on time and effectively to meet the requirements of the Combined Authority and the West Yorkshire Business Board and to deliver on the aspirations for West Yorkshire.

Executive Director Transport, Simon Warburton

To provide visible leadership for transport in the region, securing investment the region needs, and integrating functions which drive the development, delivery and safe operation of a sustainable, effective and efficient transport system for the people of West Yorkshire.

Director of Finance & Commercial Services, Kate Taylor

To provide leadership to Finance & Commercial Services, ensuring delivery of high quality professional services to the organisation and taking on statutory duties as the Combined Authority’s Section 73 Financial Officer.​

Director of Policing, Environment & Place, Liz Hunter

Liz has responsibility to work with partners to shape the vision for the future of Policing, Environment & Place in West Yorkshire, translating this into actionable policies, strategies & plans – driving delivery at pace with a focus on value for money.​

Director of Strategy, Communications & Intelligence, Sarah Eaton

To ensure alignment of corporate strategy and voice across the Combined Authority and externally, overseeing and embedding processes and ways of working to enable continued monitoring, evaluation and driving performance towards key outcomes.

Director of Inclusive Economy, Skills & Culture,  Felix Kumi-Ampofo

Felix has responsibility to work with partners to shape the vision and pipeline for Business, Skills, Innovation, Culture and Sport in West Yorkshire, translating this into actionable policies, strategies and plans – driving delivery at pace across Economic Services with a focus on value for money.​

Director of Transport Services, Tim Taylor

Tim has responsibility to deliver a consistent, efficient, and inclusive transport operation in West Yorkshire, enabling more people to use accessible, sustainable transport with a focus on affordable travel for all.​

Paul Matthews, Director of Bus Franchising

Paul is leading on the delivery of bringing West Yorkshire’s bus network into public control.  By 2028, the Bus Franchising Team will have established the foundations of a sustainable; integrated transport system for the region’s communities and businesses to thrive.

Director of Mass Transit, Mike Birch

Mike has responsibility for the development and delivery of the Mass Transit programme across West Yorkshire, delivering against the Mass Transit Vision 2024 and the ambition of Spades in the Ground on Phase 1 in 2028. 

Director of the Transport Capital Programme, Simon Pope

Simon's key responsibility is to lead the development and delivery of a successful Transport Capital Programme promoted by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and local authority partners, helping realise the objectives of the West Yorkshire Local Growth Plan and the Mayor’s Local Transport Plan, and establishing West Yorkshire as a centre of excellence in programme delivery.

Monitoring Officer, Satinder Sahota

This role is filled by Satinder Sahota, Assistant Director Legal, Governance and Compliance.

This is a statutory position responsible for reporting to the Combined Authority in any case where they are of the opinion that any proposal, decision or omission of the Authority, its committees or subcommittees or anyone employed by the Authority is, or is likely to be, illegal or to constitute maladministration.

The Monitoring Officer also has a range of functions relating to the conduct of members including responsibility for the register of members and officers interests and responsibility for the suite of governance documents of the Authority.

As the Assistant Director for Legal, Governance and Compliance, Satinder is also responsible for ensuring that the service delivers high quality and effective legal advice and committee support to the Authority.

To get in touch, you can reach the Monitoring Officer by email or in writing at: 

Monitoring Officer 
Legal and Governance Services
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Wellington House
40-50 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 2DE