Regional mayor

In England, regional mayors (also referred to as "metro mayors" or simply "mayors") are directly elected political leaders who lead a strategic authority.

The first regional mayoral post was the Mayor of London, created as the executive of the Greater London Authority (GLA) in 2000 as part of a reform of the local government of Greater London. More regional mayors were introduced following in the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016.

They sit on the Mayoral Council for England and Council of the Nations and Regions alongside the UK Prime Minister and First Ministers of devolved governments.^[1]

The first directly elected mayor was introduced in Greater London in 2000 as part of the statutory provisions of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. The position of the elected Mayor of London is a strategic regional one, and quite different from that of local authority mayors. The work of the Mayor of London is scrutinised by the London Assembly, a unique arrangement in the English local government system. The Mayor of London cannot be removed from office by a referendum following a petition, as is the case for directly elected mayors elsewhere in England.

The role should not be confused with the ancient position of Lord Mayor of London, elected annually by liverymen of the City of London.

In 2014, it was announced that more regional mayors would be created, subject to new primary legislation. In 2017, elections were held for Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, Tees Valley, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, West of England and the West Midlands as part of the devolution deals allowed by the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016. That act inserted sections into the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 for the election of mayors of combined authorities (CAs).

A delayed election for the Sheffield City Region followed in May 2018. The North of Tyne Combined Authority and the North East Combined Authority (2014–2024) were merged into the new North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, the first election for which took place in May 2024.^[2]

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 introduced new measures in the local government system in England. It allowed the creation of combined county authorities (CCAs), which are similar to the existing CAs; created new powers to be devolved to CAs and CCAs; and allowed mayors to take a different title, including "elected leader" and Americanisms such as "governor" and "county commissioner". No mayors have taken a different title as of 2026.

The regional mayors have wider powers than the local authorities do. They generally have powers over transport, skills, housing, and local infrastructure investment, and sometimes over spatial planning, policing, health and employment support.^[3]

Combined authority mayors and the Mayor of London meet informally on a monthly basis as the UK Mayors Network (M10 Group) allowing them to consult each other, coordinate their actions, and gain access to UK government ministers.^{[4] [5] [6]} This network has been chaired by Tracy Brabin since May 2022 and previously by Dan Jarvis.^{[7] [8]}

As of June 2026^[update] , there are 14 regional mayors in England.

Former regional mayoralties are:

• Directly elected mayors in England

• Institute for Government mayoral pages

• English devolution

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