In first of his series of interviews with the candidates vying to be West Midlands Mayor, Adam Smith speaks to Conservative hopeful Andy Street CBE.

THE Prime Minister Theresa May described Andy Street as an "action man" during her speech at the Conservative Party Conference.

Mr Street does not look like an action man, in fact he looks the spitting image of my uncle Dick, diminutive with piercing blue eyes.

However, one hour in his company it is obvious this sharp dressed man (his cufflinks had his initials on) has the energy to run Gotham City let alone the West Midlands.

The 53-year-old has been at the helm of John Lewis for the last ten years, after spending the previous 20 years working his way up to the top.

Last month he decided to enter the political fray and was elected unopposed to be the Conservative candidate in the race to be West Midlands Mayor.

The job will involve leading the West Midlands Combined Authority and improving the region's transport, skills, housing and job creation.

But, as people across the Black Country and beyond, are bound to ask: Why do we need a West Midlands Mayor?

Mr Street said: "To compete internationally we have come together, we are up against Boston and Barcelona and places like Dudley and Sandwell cannot do that alone, we are stronger together.

“The new role of mayor offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate this transformation and truly realise our potential.

“Our mayor needs to be a strong voice for the West Midlands, accomplished at putting our case to government and being an ambassador around the world, whilst at the same time addressing issues that matter locally: jobs, housing, transport and skills."

And Mr Street is hoping to tap into the popularity of none-politicians running for office.

He said: "I am standing as someone who has not been in politics but someone who has a record to do the job.

"I see it as an advantage that I have been doing something relevant for years instead of being a career politician."

However, Mr Street is keen to point out he has not just joined the party to become mayor.

He said: "I have always been a Conservative, I was a chairman of the Conservative Party Association at Oxford University."

Mr Street chose Lord Hesteltine to introduce him at the recent Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham and describes himself as a "One Nation Tory."

And Mr Street, who was chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership until last year, is clear what his number one priority will be if wins next May's election.

He said: "This might sound ambitious but I want the West Midlands to be a place no youth unemployment, I think it is the most corrosive thing in society, and I passionately believe in trying to stamp it out.

"I do not one young person in the West Midlands who is not either in employment or in training whilst I am mayor, it is ambitious but it can be done."

Transport will also be a key piece of the new mayor's brief.

Mr Street said: "The extension of the Metro into the Black Country is vital, businesses and residents have to be connected to the rest of the West Midlands.

"HS2 is a game changer for the region, the West Midlands will be at the centre of the country's transport infrastructure, and that is why the Black Country Metro and the Dudley light railway is so important.

"We have not decided final policies yet, but when we do there will be a whole section on housing."

He added: "We need more homes in the West Midlands, not just social housing, we need every type of new home, and this includes projects like new housing on brownfield sites in the Black Country."

With town centres like Dudley and Halesowen struggling with empty shops, Mr Street, who increased John Lewis profits by 50 per cent whilst at the helm, is hoping to increase trade.

He said: "Town centres like Dudley and Halesowen needs to look at what the local people want, retail is changing, but high streets can still be vibrant, places like Solihull and Kings Heath are great examples of what can be done."

Mr Street's main rival for the job is West Midlands Labour MEP Sion Simon.

"I am giving up my job as CEO, this is so important that I am prepared to give up my job to campaign for this job, it is a matter for him to decide whether to give up his job to campaign.

"I want to debate Sion Simon during this campaign, and I am really looking forward to getting out there and telling the voters about who I am."

Quick quiz:

Favourite book - Sebastian Faulks - Birdsong.

Favourite film - Tea With Mussolini.

Favourite band - Vampire Weekend.

Favourite sports team - Aston Villa.

Favourite holiday - Snowdonia.