Strong governance, collective leadership

WME is governed by Shareholder Board comprising an elected member representative from each of our 31 councils who have collective ownership our organisation.

The Board meets 3 times each year and has established a Business Management Group tasked with the routine management of our business and an Employment Committee to deal with any personnel matters.


The Shareholder Board

The Board is responsible for:

  • Appointing the Chair and Vice Chairs and any other appointments to sub-committees or outside bodies
  • Approving our strategic, business, and financial plans and our annual operating budgets
  • Ensuring robust financial management and approval of the audited financial statements
  • Upholding our Constitution

Business Management Group

The Business Management Group comprises the Chair and 3 Vice Chairs of the Board, who have delegated authority to work with the WME Senior Leadership Team in managing our routine business.


West Midlands Joint Council

As the Regional Employers’ Organisation, WME is also the representative for our councils on a regional joint council with representatives from Trade Unions UNISON, Unite and GMB. This forum discusses matters concerning pay and conditions, policy changes, arbitration, employment matters and matters relating to local government reorganisation.


 Constitution


Read here


 Strategic Plan


Read here 


 Regional Workforce Strategy


Read here

 Annual Report 2025/26

Read here


 Business Plan 2026/27

Read here

Shareholder Board

To Be Confirmed
To Be Confirmed

Birmingham City Council

Cllr Karen May
Cllr Karen May

Bromsgrove District Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr Paul Jones
Cllr Paul Jones

Cannock Chase District Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr Jeszemma Howl
Cllr Jeszemma Howl

City of Wolverhampton Council

Cabinet Member for Governance and Digital.

Cllr Habib Rehman
Cllr Habib Rehman

Coventry City Council

Chair of Finance and Corporate Services Scrutiny Board

Cllr Sat Sherwani
Cllr Sat Sherwani

Dudley MBC

Shadow Cabinet Member for Resources

Cllr Jonathan Lester
Cllr Jonathan Lester

Herefordshire Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr John Gallagher
Cllr John Gallagher

Malvern Hills District Council

Portfolio Holder for Resources

Cllr Jonathan Gullis
Cllr Jonathan Gullis

Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr David Wright
Cllr David Wright

North Warwickshire Borough Council

Leader of the Council

To be confirmed
To be confirmed

Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council

Cllr Matthew Dormer
Cllr Matthew Dormer

Redditch Borough Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr Maggie O'Rourke
Cllr Maggie O'Rourke

Rugby Borough Council

Portfolio Holder Partnerships and Wellbeing

Cllr Gary Dale
Cllr Gary Dale

Sandwell MBC

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

Cllr Alex Wagner
Cllr Alex Wagner

Shropshire Council

Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Transport & Economic Growth

Cllr Dave Pinwell
Cllr Dave Pinwell

Solihull MBC

Portfolio Holder for Resources

Cllr Kathleen Perry MBE
Cllr Kathleen Perry MBE

South Staffordshire Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr Ralph Cooke
Cllr Ralph Cooke

Stafford Borough Council

Cabinet Member Resources Portfolio

Cllr Martin Murray
Cllr Martin Murray

Staffordshire County Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr Mike Gledhill
Cllr Mike Gledhill

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr Sarah Hill
Cllr Sarah Hill

Stoke on Trent City Council

Cabinet Member for Finance, Anti Poverty and Corporate Services

Cllr Susan Juned
Cllr Susan Juned

Stratford-upon-Avon District Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr Carol Dean
Cllr Carol Dean

Tamworth Borough Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr Zona Hannington
Cllr Zona Hannington

Telford & Wrekin Council

Cabinet member for Finance, Governance and Customer Service

Cllr Irene Henery
Cllr Irene Henery

Walsall MBC

West Midlands Pension Fund Committee member

Cllr Rebecca Davidson
Cllr Rebecca Davidson

Warwick District Council

Portfolio Holder for People and Organisation Development

Cllr Michael Bannister
Cllr Michael Bannister

Warwickshire County Council

Portfolio Holder for Customer and Localities

Cllr Lynn Denham
Cllr Lynn Denham

Worcester City Council

Leader of the Council

Cllr Adam Kent
Cllr Adam Kent

Worcestershire County Council

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for economy and skills

Cllr Emma Stokes
Cllr Emma Stokes

Wychavon District Council

Executive Board member for Resources, Investment and Innovation

Cllr David Ross
Cllr David Ross

Wyre Forest District Council

Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Portfolio