Shoaf steps down as West Midlands CEO

Chief Executive of West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Laura Shoaf has announced she is “moving on” after four years in the role.

She will be replaced by Ed Cox, WMCA’s Deputy Chief Executive & Executive Director for Strategy, Economy & Net Zero.

Shoaf said she will continue as Chair of Shadow Great British Railways, the unpaid part time role she has held since last October, after being appointed by former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh.

It is not clear how Shoaf’s relationship with GBR may develop now she has shed her role with WMCA. Her shadow position must be unpaid until GBR is formally legally established. The actual position of GBR chair will have to be recruited for separately under an open search process.

Shoaf, who moved to the UK from the USA, was Director of Transport at the Association of Black Country Authorities from 2103 to 2014; Strategic Director for Integrated Transport at Transport for West Midlands Integrated Transport from 2015 to 2016; and Managing Director of TfWM from 2016 to 2020.

Shoaf said: “All good things must come to an end and it is time for me to move on from the WMCA.” She had “been proud to be part of the Combined Authority since its inception, and its achievements, increasing transport investment tenfold, and secured a trailblazing devolution deal for the region.

“But now it’s time for someone else to lead the organisation into a new era, when I step down on 17 June. Ed has a great passion for and understanding of our region, and will do a fantastic job as we search for a permanent successor.”

Cox has been at WMCA for five years, before which he spent five years as Chair at public participation charity Involve.