CEO of the North East Combined Authority awarded honorary degree from Northumbria University

Dr Henry Kippin, CEO of the new North East Combined Authority has been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law from Northumbria University.

Born in London and raised in Gateshead, Dr Kippin’s ambition is to ensure the region is enabled to “speak with one voice" in articulating a united vision for its future.

Ensuring that communities have a say on what happens in their region has been an essential principle for Dr Kippin throughout his career.  After several years working in international development and the social enterprise sector, in 2008 he was asked to manage the cross-party Commission on 2020 Public Services.  The Commission called for greater devolution of power within England alongside a new public services settlement focused on ‘social productivity’.  He went on to develop this model in practice as CEO of innovative social enterprise Collaborate CIC.

As an Executive Director at the West Midlands Combined Authority from 2017, Henry was responsible for its work in public services, wellbeing, inclusive growth, climate change and digital. He was also part of negotiations with the Government to secure the future powers and resources needed for the authority to deliver on its strategic ambitions for the region.

In 2020 he returned home to the North East as Director then CEO of the North of Tyne Combined Authority. During his tenure, he worked with colleagues to navigate the region through the pandemic and through recovery, developed the biggest devolution deal in the country, and helped create the conditions for 10,000 jobs underpinned by newly devolved skills budgets and ambitious housing and transport plans.

Dr Kippin worked tirelessly with Government and the Leaders and CEOs of the seven North East local authorities, to bring the devolution deal for the North East to fruition. The long-awaited deal includes ambitious targets for the region around growing opportunity, investment and the quality of life for the people of the region through the creation of new jobs, the development of skills, and the building of homes.

Henry has authored widely on devolution, public services and political economy, including as co-author of Public Services: a new reform agenda – published in 2013 by Bloomsbury Press. 

Speaking about his honorary degree from Northumbria, which was presented during summer graduation ceremonies held at the University’s Newcastle City Campus, Dr Kippin said: “I am really delighted and humbled to receive this honorary doctorate.  Collaboration has always been important to me, and it is a privilege to have made a difference working alongside so many brilliant and committed people.  Our universities are so important to delivering devolution and I am honoured to become part of the Northumbria alumni family today”.    

Northumbria University awards honorary degrees to individuals who have obtained the very highest standards of scholarship, outstanding achievement, or distinction worthy of national or international recognition in their academic or professional field.

Find out more about Northumbria University’s Honorary Graduates.