Arnold Craven has been selected as the Conservative candidate for West Yorkshire Mayoral election in May.
Arnold, who works in the energy sector on the transition towards low carbon hydrogen, was selected by Conservative Party members from across West Yorkshire.
He says his campaign will focus on improving transport infrastructure, delivering homes for young people and adult education provision.
“As someone who was born, educated and worked in West Yorkshire, I am honoured to be selected as the mayoral candidate,” Arnold said.
“I believe West Yorkshire is already the best place in the world, and my campaign will focus on trying to make it even better.
“Devolution represents an amazing opportunity for everyone in West Yorkshire – including the business community and politicians - to work together and transform our region for the better.
“My campaign will focus on four key areas – areas a mayor can get things done in. I will build a reliable and efficient mass transit system. I will deliver the homes our young people desperately need and I will make sure the adult education budget is being used properly to give people and businesses the skills we need.
“And finally, I will refocus the leadership of West Yorkshire Police towards investigating more crimes when they are reported.”
The Regional Chair of Yorkshire and the Humber Conservatives George Jabbour, who chaired the Mayoral candidate selection meeting, said:
"Following a rigorous and open selection process, the Conservative Party members in West Yorkshire interviewed a number of excellent candidates with a range of diverse and relevant skills and experiences. I would like to congratulate Arnold Craven on winning the vote to become our West Yorkshire Mayoral candidate. He will be a brilliant and effective Mayor for all the communities across West Yorkshire."
Born in Leeds, Arnold grew up in Wakefield and Pontefract, before studying at the University of Leeds.
After graduating, he started a career in property and development and worked on key investments across West Yorkshire, including the construction of the Broadway shopping centre in Bradford and the extension of the White Rose shopping centre near Leeds.
He has also worked on plans for a new rail station in Bradford city centre.