The think tank Centre for Cities has today announced that Chief Executive Alexandra Jones is leaving the organisation to take on a new role at the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
The Centre also confirmed that Andrew Carter, who is currently Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy and Research, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive by its Board of Trustees.
Alexandra, who has led the Centre for over six years, is set to become Director of Industrial Strategy at BEIS. Alexandra said:
“I have hugely enjoyed my time at the Centre, and am incredibly proud of everything that the team has achieved in recent years, from our award-winning research to the critical role we’ve played in shaping the devolution and mayoral agendas. I’m excited about the opportunity to lead work on the industrial strategy at BEIS, and am confident the Centre will continue to ensure that urban economies are at the heart of national and local policy debates in the years to come.”
New Chief Executive Andrew Carter has over 20 years of experience working on urban economic policy issues for public and private development agencies, consultancies and research institutes, including seven years at Centre for Cities. Andrew said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed Chief Executive, and I’m very excited about the opportunities and challenges ahead for the Centre in a rapidly changing political landscape. In the coming years UK cities will have a more important role than ever in driving growth, jobs and wealth in the national economy. Our aim at the Centre is to ensure that we offer the best ideas and research to help places grow their economies and thrive in the years ahead.”
Nigel Hugill, Chair of Centre for Cities, said:
“On behalf of the Centre’s board, I would like to thank Alexandra for her tremendous contribution to the Centre’s work over the past six years – a time in which the Centre has cemented its position as the leading authority on UK urban economies, and has helped to put cities at the top of the political agenda. I am equally pleased to announce Andrew Carter’s appointment as Chief Executive. Andrew has a wealth of knowledge and experience of working on urban economic issues. I am certain that the Centre will continue to go from strength to strength under his leadership.”
