This year marks the retirement of Liz Philpot, Head of Delivery for the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, following an accomplished career.  

Her tireless commitment to public service earned her a once-in-a lifetime invitation to the Royal Garden Party hosted at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of her outstanding service and dedication. 

Over the years, Liz has played a pivotal role in shaping economic development across the region, her time spans the early days of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and East Riding Council, and most recently she has been the driving force behind the Growth Hub. Keeping things steady during periods of change.

She will be sorely missed by colleagues and the businesses she has supported. 

Andy Kerr, Director of Economy had this to say: 

“I would like to say a huge personal thank you to Liz. She was massively supportive when I started working at the Combined Authority. Her commitment to delivering outcomes and not just spend, and tenacity in trying to make us better as an organisation, have been invaluable through a hugely challenging period of transition. 

“She will take a vast amount of knowledge with her but again has done everything she can to help us cope with her leaving by agreeing to a flexible retirement beyond her leaving date to help me put future in place. These last 6 months have been an invaluable bonus for me. 

“I am sure she will be able to reflect on the huge impact she has made over her career with a cup of tea in bed on cold winter mornings, instead of waiting at a cold railway station for an early morning train to work. And of course, whilst sat in the sun watching cricket in the summer or backing a winner at the races.” 

Aissa Gallie, Head of Communications, said: 

“Liz is someone who always has the region’s businesses, particularly those on the coast, at the front of her mind. They are at the centre of every decision she makes. Liz is someone who works hard to join the dots together, strengthening collaboration and improving outcomes.  

“The CA has a huge amount to be grateful to Liz for, as she grafted behind the scenes to ensure that delivery continued through the upheaval of the early weeks and months of the authority. As a colleague, Liz is as caring as she is tenacious and I’m hugely grateful for her support over many years now. I wish her the very best of days to come.” 

Adrian Green, Head of Assurance Economic Partnership Unit, said: 

“Liz has made a tremendous contribution to the York and North Yorkshire area through her diligent work at both the Local Enterprise Partnership and Combined Authority over a number of years.  She has driven delivery with great determination and played a significant part in the establishment of key infrastructure projects within the region.  She has been a valued colleague to work with and her knowledge and experience will be sadly missed, especially when discussing cricket and Test matches.  All the very best for the future Liz.” 

Andrew Leeming, Head of Strategy, said: 

“I will miss Liz so much. I appointed Liz back in the LEP days as a secondment from East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Liz was brought in to help with the delivery of the Local Growth Fund (the original Fund not the new one that is now proposed by the Government – how things come around again!!). This helped to ensure that the programme was not only delivered but that YNY (and East Riding) were maximised. 

“It was therefore not long before Liz became part of the Senior Management Team of the LEP and then into the world of the Combined Authority. In transitioning to the Combined Authority Liz has provided the steady hand of ensure we continue to deliver to such a high standard – while others, like myself, tried to make the case for devolution and strategized for this new era. 

“Other the time of knowing Liz she has not only become a work colleague but now a really good friend. On a personal note Liz has been incredibly supportive. I went through some difficult times with my daughter’s serious illness and Liz was amazing in taking the stress of work away from me and allowing me to concentrate on my daughters and my own health and wellbeing. I will be forever grateful to Liz and so proud to have had a work colleague who not only is passionate about doing a great job but also being so supportive of her colleagues. 

“Liz will be a real loss to the CA but will always remain a good friend to me and my family.” 

Claire Robinson, Senior Programme Manager, said: 

“What a force for good – tenacious, detailed, aware, experienced, I could go on!  Above all Liz has been a personal and professional friend, influence and sounding board across multiple workstreams and situations; someone I could personally rely on to help me think and make progress. From the day I was interviewed by Liz, to long after Liz leaves – I have had, and always hope to have a friend I can call on.” 

Susan Brandom, Sector Development Relationship Manager, said: 

“Liz was truly instrumental in securing CoStar Live LAB for the region. She worked closely with the University of York on the applications and the interviews with AHRC.  She deserves credit and our thanks for that, among everything else she’s done over her career. 

“Liz and I went to the opening of CoSTAR Live LAB in February. As expected, there were the usual speeches and presentations from the ‘great and good’, which we duly sat and listened to. After the speeches, we were shown into the performance space anticipating some intense networking – only for the announcement that Jamie Cullum was the surprise VIP guest, demo-ing a piece of virtual performance tech with an exclusive and intimate live set for the audience of about fifty. An evening to remember!” 

Kate Mchugh, Research and Evaluation Officer, said: 

“Liz has been a massive asset to the Combined Authority, and it’s been great working with her for years, going back to our time in the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Liz is incredibly passionate, driven and brought a wealth of knowledge to both organisations. She’s definitely going to be missed!” 

Laura Outhart, Programme Management Officer, said: 

“It has been really brilliant to get the opportunity to work with Liz for the last year.  She is always so clear, calm and creative, and has been a complete rock at times of pressure.  I’m going to really miss our amazing super-boss and all-round star larker.”  

Vicky Bolton, Social Programmes Manager for Anglo American, said: 

“I had the privilege of working with Liz during her “superwoman” phase – and honestly, that title couldn’t be more fitting. She managed to lead the team while raising two boys, running a home, and even caring for a dog. Somehow, she managed to do it all – and do it all exceptionally well. 

“She thrived under pressure, managing to meet deadlines at the final hour with a calm confidence the rest of us were in awe of! 

“As a boss, she was the best – supportive, encouraging, fun and wonderfully human. She understood that life throws curveballs and gave me, and the rest of the team, the space to handle them without adding more stress. 

“I’m lucky enough to now call her a friend. She’s still the organiser of the group and one of the biggest entertainers – she knows everyone and everything happening in Brid and give her an air guitar and she’ll head straight for the dancefloor! 

“Looking back, I feel very fortunate to have worked with her at such an impressionable time. She showed me that hard work should be valued and that the reward is freedom and space to grow. Her boys are incredibly lucky to have her guiding them through life. 

“I really do wish her a retirement filled with joy, laughter, and all the adventure she deserves. Thank you for everything, Liz – you’ve truly made a lasting impact.” 

A Letter from Joe Russell, Principal Regeneration Officer, North Yorkshire Council: 

“Dear Liz, It’s been a pleasure working with you directly and indirectly since 2017. You taught me 3 of the most important professional lessons I know:

It doesn’t matter how chaotic the process looks, as long as it achieved the objective – Your willingness to focus on actually getting a job done, cutting out a much BS as possible and focus on making things work, rather than making them perfect has always made working together an easy option.  

Get over yourself –  You taught me how to take my ego out of the equation. To prioritise achieving objectives rather than trying to look good or make other people like me. You also showed me that solving problems for people is the quickest way to gain influence and I’m very grateful for this.  

How to make other people think your idea is their own – Finally, how to frame ideas, solutions and suggestions to make other people feel ownership of them. A skill with even more internal value than external. 

Have a wonderful time now you won’t be bound by the 9 to 5. Hopefully you’ll win a few tennis matches and may you never need to transport a double bass again! Its been a pleasure.  

N.b. I append a photo of your work locations from September 2019, back when we working in ‘offices’ and you spent vast amounts of time dealing with Withernsea pier, despite it not existing.” 

Simon Middleton, Growth Hub Manager, said: 

“Liz has been a great help throughout my prolonged absence. She’s been very willing to assist and go the extra mile.” 

Harriet Stainton, Interim Growth Hub Delivery Manage, said: 

“I have only recently been working closely with Liz, and it was eye-opening to see her knowledge and experience in practice. She is an incredibly talented person, with a wicked sense of humour, and is one of the best mentors I’ve had for both professional and personal development. Her ability to wear multiple hats and juggle several projects, whilst still finding time to support the wider team at every level is incredibly inspirational, and her stories will be missed!!” 

Emma Rollason-Taylor, Business Relationship Manager, said: 

“The thing that I always think of with Liz was my first impression of her. I was so impressed by the way Liz just seemed to be a fountain of knowledge, and that her experience and confidence in the role was so evident. I think it’s so inspiring to see a woman in leadership who has that calm presence and assurance. I very quickly realised that Liz is way more than this. Liz has time for everyone in the team and is incredibly supportive. She’s steered the Growth Hub through some difficult times and has made sure that she has made time for us all and kept us together as a team and positive. 

“I am so pleased that I have had the pleasure of working with such an inspirational leader and a fantastic female in leadership role model. Liz is going to be greatly missed” 

Faye Greer-Pickup, Growth Hub Delivery Officer, said: 

“Liz has been an amazing source of support since I joined the local ED team nearly five years ago. We’ll miss her, but after her long and dedicated service in local government, her retirement is very well deserved! She’ll now have plenty of time to watch the cricket!” 

Joseph Midgley, Contracts and Relationship Officer for the Growth Hub, said: 

“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Liz over the years, and I’m not entirely sure how we’re going to manage without her. I’ve always been able to bring anything I’m stuck with to Liz, and she’ll find a pragmatic way forward, simultaneously no-nonsense and diplomatic. It’s been an honour to absorb just a little bit of her wisdom and judgement, and her down-to-earth leadership will be sorely missed.” 

Nicholas White, Business Relationship Manager for the Growth Hub, said: 

“I have got to know Liz since joining the Growth Hub, seven years ago and have always found her very approachable, supportive and friendly. She has been a much-valued colleague and will be missed.” 

Mike Pennington, Business Relationship Manager for Made Smarter Yorkshire and Humber, said: 

“I am relatively new to the organisation but in my time at the LEP & YNYCA Liz has been fundamental to the success and progress of the Made Smarter programme here in Yorkshire, as well as many other local programmes across the region. She has always given me help, support and direction in the public sector when needed, and it sure helps that she is a Leeds United fan and keen on all sports. We had a lot in common, and she will be missed.”  

Her leadership has left a lasting impact, and her influence will continue to be felt throughout York and North Yorkshire for many years to come. 

As we look ahead, we’re pleased to welcome David Ryden as our new Head of Business Growth and Innovation, to continue the momentum across the region. David brings a wealth of experience and a thoughtful, grounded approach to supporting businesses and encouraging innovation.