Claire Ward
Mayor of the East Midlands
Claire Ward represents 2.2 million people across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire; having been elected the first ever Mayor of the East Midlands in 2024. The East Midlands Combined County Authority, which she leads, was also established at this time.
A regional Mayor holds responsibility for transport, skills and adult education, housing and land, net-zero and economic development. Some of these powers are still in the process of being devolved.
Claire had a long career working in business and healthcare sectors before becoming the Mayor of the East Midlands. Most recently she was the Chair of Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust. From 1997 to 2010, Mayor Claire was an MP and served as the Justice Minister under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
She moved to North Nottinghamshire 15 years ago and raised her family here.
