As Director of Destination, Marketing & Insight and Deputy Chief Executive at the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), Katie’s remit covers promoting the region nationally and internationally to investors, visitors, and for major events, supporting the growth of the visitor economy and ensuring the company’s activity is underpinned by robust intelligence.
Katie is also Deputy Chief Executive. In this role, she plays a key part in shaping the organisation’s future direction. She is currently leading WMGC's transition into the region’s main economic delivery vehicle. This transition involves WMGC taking on new functions, including business support, cluster management, and future workforce and talent. These contribute to existing areas, including inward investment, capital attraction, and the visitor economy.
Prior to joining WMGC, Katie was the Chief Executive of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), which brought together the private, public, and academic sectors to drive economic growth. She was responsible for developing and delivering its ambitious Strategic Economic Plan, securing £357 million of Growth Deal Funding from the Government, overseeing the development of the £1 billion Enterprise Zone Investment Plan with Birmingham City Council, and establishing the GBSLEP’s Growth Hub, which utilised £2 million of ERDF to deliver business support. She also played a key role in negotiating the West Midlands’ first devolution deal.
