The Employment Committee of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) met on Friday 26 June 2026. The primary item scheduled for discussion was the appointment of an Executive Director for Major Capital Projects. The meeting was scheduled to take place at the WMCA offices in Birmingham.

Appointment of Executive Director for Major Capital Projects

The committee was scheduled to consider the appointment of an Executive Director for Major Capital Projects. This role is crucial for overseeing significant infrastructure and development initiatives within the West Midlands. The report pack indicated that this item was for private business, meaning that the public and press were likely to be excluded from this part of the meeting. This exclusion would be in accordance with section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, which allows for the exclusion of the public and press when exempt information is likely to be disclosed. The specific nature of the exempt information was not detailed in the publicly available agenda.

The meeting was chaired by Mayor Richard Parker, who is the Mayor of the West Midlands. The committee membership included representatives from various local councils across the region, such as Councillor George Duggins from Coventry City Council, Councillor Karen Grinsell from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Councillor Patrick Harley from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Councillor Roger Harmer from Birmingham City Council, Councillor Ray Nock from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins from City of Wolverhampton Council, and Councillor Elaine Williams from Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council. The quorum for the meeting required at least one member from five different constituent councils to be in attendance.

The WMCA, as an organisation, supports the Jo Cox Foundation and Compassion in Politics' Civility Pledge. This pledge encourages members to engage in civil and constructive debate, act with integrity, honesty, and compassion, and behave respectfully towards others, even those with whom they disagree. The Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority is Ed Cox.