West Midlands Combined Authority hires eighth director on £100k+ salary

Ian Martin, who grew up in Dudley and Wolverhampton, will be earning up to £125,000 when he takes up his role as investment and commercial activities director next month.

Mr Martin is set to lead the combined authority’s investment strategy, including the likes of HS2 and the Midland Metro.

He will become one of the WMCA’s top earners, alongside seven other directors who are taking home similar pay packets.

Chief executive Deborah Cadman is the highest earner on £191,000, nearly £40,000 more than the Prime Minister. Mr Martin’s appointment pushes WMCA’s spend on just nine roles to more than £1 million, excluding expenses and pension costs.

The appointment has been criticised by Birmingham councillor Fred Grindrod, who said: “This is yet another very highly paid director being hired by the Combined Authority on Andy Street’s watch.

“I’m not sure it’s quite what people had in mind when he said he wanted to reduce unemployment.” A WMCA spokesman said: “All senior roles in the WMCA have been job evaluated. This ensures they are graded and remunerated appropriately, commensurate with the skills and experience required for the role.

“The salaries offered in all instances are therefore benchmarked against other similar roles elsewhere in the public sector taking account of local factors.

“This process is regarded as industry best practice and ensures the salaries of all senior staff are fair, reasonable and reflect value for money for the taxpayer.”

Mr Martin joins the WMCA from Homes England, where he led investment of the Government’s Home Building Fund into housing developments across the Midlands and the North West.

He said: “I was born in Birmingham and grew up in Dudley and Wolverhampton, so the West Midlands is home for me."