Andy Burnham has asked Caroline Simpson, the current chief executive of the Greater Manchester combined authority (GMCA), to serve as his deputy chief of staff and lead the new No 10 North operation, should he become prime minister in three weeks' time, as widely expected.
Simpson's Role and Background
Simpson, who worked closely with Burnham during his tenure as Greater Manchester mayor, will be based in Manchester. Her primary responsibility will be overseeing the devolution of power and resources across the UK, a cornerstone of Burnham's promise to transform the country. The Guardian understands that she will collaborate with cabinet ministers, senior civil servants in Whitehall, and devolved regions and nations to drive economic growth nationwide.
Simpson has spent her entire career in the public sector, primarily in north-west England, working for local government, housing, and regional development agencies. She assumed the role of CEO at GMCA in June 2024.
Team Building for Government
Burnham has already appointed James Purnell, a former colleague from the Blair era, as his chief of staff as he finalises his team for government. It remains undecided whether Simpson will be the sole deputy chief of staff.
In a speech in Manchester on Monday, Burnham confirmed plans to establish No 10 North as the “nerve centre of a rewired Britain”. He argued that the Westminster system was “broken” and required a radical devolution of power to transform the nation.
Three Clear Tasks for Devolution
The new office will have three “clear tasks” for devolution: increasing public ownership of essential utilities such as water, energy, and housing; re-industrialising large parts of the country; and regenerating towns, with priority given to areas that have been left behind.
