Kerr to leave Durham in return to Yorkshire
Andy Kerr, head of economic development at Durham County Council, will join the newly formed York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority as director of economy, starting in the new year.
Kerr worked at City of York Council for around 15 years, working his way up to head of regeneration and economy before joining Durham in 2022.
Posting on Linkedin, he said: I am hugely excited to announce that in the new year I will be joining York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority as Director of Economy. This is an amazing opportunity for me to shape the future of a place I love and call home, and can’t wait to get started working with James Farrar, and delivering David Skaith’s mayoral agenda.”
Skaith was one of a raft of Labour mayoral candidates swept to power in May’s local elections, becoming the first person to lead Y&NYCA, a combined authority that was formed in February this year, with its constituent members being City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council.
Farrar, formerly COO of York & North Yorkshire LEP, was a driving force in the formation of the combined authority, and was named as its inaugural chief executive in June.
Kerr continued: “It will be with a heavy heart that I leave Durham County Council. County Durham is an amazing place full of great people doing big, bold, exciting things. My current role is now out to advert – with a slight rebranding to reflect our commitment to working in partnership to deliver inclusive economic growth.
“I’m privileged to be part of a brilliantly supportive leadership group and have talented, dedicated and enthusiastic delivery teams, and this is a fantastic opportunity to shape this special place’s future.”
