Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, is the new chair of Core Cities UK.

Cllr Lewis takes over the role of Chair from Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, who remains a Core City UK cabinet member but is stepping down to focus on her duties as leader of the Local Government Association's Labour Group.

Core Cities UK is an alliance of 11 cities - Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. Its mission is to unlock the full potential of our great city regions to create a stronger, fairer economy and society. These cities currently generate 25 per cent of the economy but Core Cities UK estimates that with the right freedoms and powers they could add an extra £100bn every year to UK GDP.

Cllr Lewis said: "I am delighted to chair Core Cities UK, an organisation with a 25 year track record of arguing for greater devolution and decentralisation across the UK to enable our cities to drive the economic growth our country needs.

"I look forward to leading the group's work with Government, making sure cities and local government are at the heart of policy on everything from public service reform to net zero. I'd also like to thank Cllr Bev Craig for all her hard work and I know she will continue to argue the case for urban Britain within the LGA."

Cllr Lewis has been leader of Leeds City Council since 2021. He was first elected as a Labour Councillor in 2003 and represents Kippax and Methley ward. 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 and deputy leader of the council from 2015 to 2021.