Directly-elected mayors have been a feature of local authority governance in England for more than two decades. Although there has been some research carried out into the unique nature of the role, less has been done to explore the particular character traits and attributes that make for a ‘good' (or effective) mayor – both at combined and local authority level.

The Centre for Local Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS) has been working alongside experts at the law firm Trowers & Hamlins to better understand these dynamics. We have just published a white paper summarising the outcomes of a research project looking at the personal characteristics of effective elected mayors.