“Despite my attempts to handcuff him to his desk, he is moving on.”

The Mayor of South Yorkshire has paid tribute to a ‘brilliant’ civil servant behind a number of significant projects, as he moves on to a new role.

Mayor Oliver Coppard heaped praise on the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA)’s executive director for growth, business and skills, Tom Bousfield, during a meeting of the SYMCA Board on September 15, 2026.

He said: “I just have one last announcement which is not on my paper but is to say that today is the last MCA board meeting for our colleague Tom Bousfield.

Oliver Coppard has paid tribute to his outgoing executive director for growth, business and skills, Tom Bousfield (pictured). | SYMCA

placeholder image — Oliver Coppard has paid tribute to his outgoing executive director for growth, business and skills, Tom Bousfield (pictured). | SYMCA

“Tom is moving on to pastures new, despite my attempts to handcuff him to his desk, he is moving on.

“I just want to say how brilliant Tom has been since he’s been with us. You will all know the successes we’ve had thanks to Tom.”

The Mayor said Mr Bousfield’s team led on a number of significant projects, including ‘securing the UK’s first investment zone, making sure we secured Boeing’s second facility, launching the Don Valley corridor, working on the airport plan’, and others.

Mr Bousfield joined SYMCA in 2023 having held roles in various Government departments including the Treasury, Cabinet Office and Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

The Mayor said Mr Bousfield has been a ‘huge support’ and a ‘friend’ to him since he joined the authority.