Business leaders welcome councils' move to request LLR Mayor
Credit:
LBV / Beth Walsh Photography
Business leaders are welcoming the decision by council leaders in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to ask Government for a regional Mayor.
Ten council leaders from from across the region have written a joint letter to Government asking for a strategic mayor for LLR.
And it was immediately welcomed by business groups - including those who are part of the Devolution Leicestershire coalition.
East Midlands Chamber chief executive, Scott Knowles, pictured, said: "This is extremely welcome news and is the first step in securing greater investment into the city and counties - something for which the business community has been clamouring for the last couple of years.
"I hope Government is completely receptive to this approach and responds with a pace of implementation that will create a landscape that inspires confidence for business and stimulates investment."
Andy Reed OBE, Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership, wrote on LinkedIn: "Another helpful step towards the goal of Mayoral devolution in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
"There is still plenty to do as we move through LGR, but the fact that all leaders and councils now are on board is important.
East Midlands Chair, Kevin Harris, described the announcement - reported by the BBC today - as excellent news.
“This is a significant leap forward as Leicester and Leicestershire would benefit enormously from Devolution," he said.
"I’m delighted that councils across the city, the county and Rutland are giving their voice to this need - that’s essential in unlocking growth.
“With this backing loud and clear from local leaders - and a longstanding ask from the Chamber - Government should fully recognise the need to make this happen and now deliver Devolution with haste.”
The leaders of the region’s ten authorities - Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, Blaby District Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council - have all signed the letter.
It was sent to First Secretary of State Louise Haigh, and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner.
Local businesses and non-profit groups have been pressing for a regional Mayor for LLR for several years.
Earlier this summer Devolution Leicestershire launched with the support of local MPs, as well as VCSE and business leaders.
The campaign has two core aims: to accelerate a Devolution deal for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland, and to press for fair Government funding for LLR while the Devo deal is done.
Who we are
Devolution Leicestershire is an industry-education-VCSE coalition.
Founded in 2026, its purpose is:
- To accelerate a Devolution deal for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland
- To press for fair Government funding for LLR while the Devo deal is done.
Amy Orton is Account Director for 1284 Communications. She is a board member at Menphys. Amy was previously the Local Democracy Reporter for Leicestershire. Her role was funded by the BBC to report on local government in LLR for shared use by a host of media titles.
