Cllr James Lewis has been Leader of Leeds City Council since February 2021. He previously held the position of Deputy Leader of the Council since May 2015. He is the Council’s Executive Board Member for Resources, a position he has also held since May 2015. The Resources portfolio includes oversight of the Council’s financial management, corporate planning and policy development, Human Resources, and the digital and “smart city” agenda. Cllr Lewis was first elected as a Labour Councillor to represent the Barwick and Kippax ward, now the Kippax and Methley ward, in 2003. He has held numerous positions during his time as a Councillor, including being the Chair of Metro (West Yorkshire’s Integrated Transport Authority) between 2011 and 2015.