Two senior figures to exit Durham County Council
Head of economic development Andy Kerr will join York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority as director of economy, while corporate director of regeneration, economy & growth Amy Harhoff is heading to East Midlands Combined County Authority as chief executive.
Both are expected to start in their new roles in the new year.
John Hewitt, chief executive of Durham County Council, said: “Amy and Andy have both made great contributions during their time at the council.
“As director for regeneration, economy and growth, Amy has overseen major economic successes in the county at a time when we have also faced significant financial challenges. She has brought drive and enthusiasm to her role here at Durham and I’m sure she will prove just as effective in her new role at East Midlands Combined County Authority.
“Working alongside Amy as head of economic development, Andy has helped drive forward our agenda through the development of our Inclusive Economic Strategy, to enable growth, social value and inclusion across all our communities. I would like to wish them both the very best of luck for the future.”
Before joining Durham in 2020, Harhoff had worked in transport roles at Doncaster, Sheffield City Region. Transport for the North and and Transport for Greater Manchester, before becoming Sandwell’s regeneration director in 2018.
EMCCA was formed this year, and with Harhoff becoming its first chief executive will be the only CA in the country with women in its two senior positions: Claire Ward was elected as its first Mayor in May.
Kerr’s move represents a move to familiar turf: he 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.
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.”
