Independent Non-Executive Chair, East Birmingham Mayoral Development Corporation (EBMDC) Full Time NEW

Birmingham is at a pivotal moment. The scale, visibility and urgency of the city’s regeneration challenge demand a model that can move faster, think longer-term and deliver with real authority. East Birmingham Mayoral Development Corporation has been chosen deliberately as that vehicle, bringing clarity of leadership, dedicated delivery capacity and sustained focus to places that will define Birmingham’s future. In East Birmingham, this is about operating at scale, unlocking complex and long-constrained sites, crowding in private capital and converting long-held ambition into visible, investable progress on the ground.

At the heart of this is the planned Sports Corridor, a nationally distinctive proposition that brings together major leisure and sporting assets with large-scale housing, employment growth and infrastructure investment. It is a programme with a compelling place story and genuine economic weight, positioned to play a defining role in Birmingham’s next chapter. Backed by a committed and well-capitalised partner in Knighthead Capital, and aligned with regional and national priorities for growth, productivity and inclusive regeneration, EBMDC is set up as a flagship delivery organisation. This is not a policy experiment, but a platform for momentum, confidence and long-term impact.

East Birmingham Mayoral Development Corporation has been established to lead a complex, high-profile regeneration programme of national significance in the Midlands. The Chair will provide strategic leadership to the Board, working closely with the Mayor, Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority and the executive team to shape the organisation’s purpose, culture and early credibility.

This is a formative appointment. The Chair will help set the conditions for long-term delivery, ensuring the MDC operates as an effective vehicle for regeneration, infrastructure and housing, while maintaining robust governance and strong commercial discipline. The programme is intended to be ambitious in scale and delivery, with the MDC expected to sustain momentum across a long-term regeneration effort rather than short-term interventions.

Key Responsibilities

The Chair will lead the Board through the critical early years of the MDC, establishing the discipline, focus and confidence required to move from ambition to delivery. This includes shaping a board culture that is strategic, outward-facing and delivery-oriented, while remaining grounded in strong public accountability and stewardship of public assets.

You will work closely with the Mayor and senior partners to ensure the MDC’s vision is translated into a clear, prioritised and investable programme. This will involve overseeing the development of the strategic business plan and investment framework, testing ambition against market reality, funding availability and delivery capacity, and ensuring the organisation retains momentum as it navigates complex land, infrastructure and commercial challenges.

As Chair, you will ensure that governance arrangements are proportionate, robust and enabling. You will provide assurance on decision-making, risk management, performance and value for money, working constructively with the Monitoring Officer, finance leads and executive team. You will also play a central role in supporting and challenging the executive, helping to build an organisation that is trusted by government, respected by investors and capable of sustaining delivery over the long term.

Externally, you will act as a visible and credible ambassador for EBMDC. This includes engaging with government, public funding agencies, investors, developers, infrastructure providers and civic partners, building confidence in the MDC as a delivery partner of choice and helping to unlock the relationships, capital and support needed to realise the programme’s full potential.

The person

This role calls for a Chair with the presence, judgement and experience to lead a complex regeneration body at a pivotal point in its development. You are likely to have chaired or operated at board level within major investment, regeneration, infrastructure or place-based delivery organisations, and to be comfortable working at the intersection of public purpose and private investment.

You will bring a deep understanding of developing major investment strategies along with the realities of land assembly, infrastructure sequencing, funding, partnership and market engagement. You will be confident operating in politically sensitive environments, able to build trust with elected leaders and senior officials while maintaining independence, balance and sound governance.

Above all, you will combine ambition with realism. You will be able to support pace and creativity, while asking the right questions, setting clear expectations and holding the organisation to account for delivery. Your style will be collegiate, authoritative and enabling, helping to create the conditions in which the MDC can mature into a confident, credible and long-term steward of East Birmingham’s regeneration.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5th May 2026.

Berwick Partners is providing administrative support to the West Midlands Combined Authority and the East Birmingham Mayoral Development Corporation for this appointment, including the receipt of applications and responding to candidate enquiries.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk).

Why join WMCA?

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it’s needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people’s lives, every day.

Our Values and Behaviours.

Fostering an environment where people feel valued, included, supported, and proud to contribute to our region is important to us at the WMCA. Our behaviours are more than statements; they guide how we work, make decisions, and treat one another – they set the standards we hold ourselves to and the experience we want others to have.

• Collaborative – We work as one organisation, building trust, connection and shared purpose across teams, partners and customers to create the biggest impact for our region.
• Driven – Focussed on impact – leading with clarity, care and courage to deliver meaningful results for the West Midlands.
• Inclusive – Every voice matters – we create belonging, fairness and psychological safety so everyone can thrive.
• Innovative – We think future and act smarter – embracing curiosity, creativity and continuous improvement to shape the future.

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).