Combined authority names new Director of Legal and Governance

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has appointed Matthew Cumberbatch as its Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer.

Cumberbatch is currently Director of Law and Governance (Monitoring Officer) at Warrington Borough Council. He has previously worked at Telford and Wrekin Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Cumberbatch’s appointment – alongside that of Janice Gotts as Executive Director Resources, the authority’s most senior finance officer – was approved by the Combined Authority Board at its meeting on Wednesday (20 March).

Both Cumberbatch and Gotts are due to take up their roles in early summer.

Edwina Adefehinti, Director of Legal and Governance, will be leaving the combined authority after completing an interim contract and handing over to Cumberbatch.

Cumberbatch said: “It is a real privilege for me to be joining the Combined Authority at this time and I am really looking forward to the new challenge.’’

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, said: “The Combined Authority is continuing to bring in the skills and experience we need to support our work building sustainable, inclusive growth which benefits the whole region. I welcome Janice and Matt to the Combined Authority and look forward to working with them.”

Chief Executive of the Combined Authority, Rob Bridge, said: “I am really pleased that an extremely competitive and thorough cross-party recruitment process has resulted in two outstanding appointments.

“The range of expertise and knowledge they will bring to the corporate management team will be invaluable as we continue to improve and drive the Combined Authority forward in delivering for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”

Bridge paid tribute to Adefehinti and Nick Bell, the outgoing Executive Director Resources and Performance, who is retiring.

He said: “Both Edwina and Nick’s knowledge and strong professional advice have been hugely valued by all of their colleagues in the Combined Authority and they have helped us make great improvements to our effectiveness as an organisation, our governance, and decision making.”