Judith Blake (Baroness Blake of Leeds)
Judith Blake was elected as the first ever female Leader of Leeds City Council in May 2015, a position she held until February last year when she stepped down, having been awarded a Life Peerage and becoming Baroness Blake of Leeds.
Baroness Blake has been at the forefront of efforts to transform public services and deliver improved outcomes for people living in Leeds, with a proven track record of strong, aspirational leadership. She has also driven work to attract inward investment in order to strengthen the local economy and enable the council to fulfil its key vision and ambition in tackling poverty and reducing inequalities.
Baroness Blake was a Labour Councillor since 1996. Her time as a Councillor has seen Baroness Blake hold responsibility for a wide range of portfolios including Planning, Education, Leisure, Culture and Sport. During this period, she has been instrumental in the transformational journey of improvement of children services in Leeds.
Baroness Blake has held a number of positions including Chair of the Core Cities Group. As Leader of Leeds City Council she took on the portfolio of Economy and Culture and was a key driver in moving the city to bid for European Capital of Culture. She is now a patron of Leeds 2023.
She is now shadow minister for BEIS in the House of Lords
In 2017, Baroness Blake was awarded a CBE in recognition of service to local government.
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