MERSEYSIDE’S new political supremo Steve Rotheram has appointed a team of advisers to help him run the county for the next three years.

They will provide expert guidance across a range important matters such as higher education, mental health and homelessness.

And crime commissioner Jayne Kennedy has been co-opted to “provide a strong voice for the political justice system.”

City region metro mayor Rotheram said: “I am delighted the combined authority has unanimously agreed to co-opt Jane Kennedy.

“I am also thrilled that such a talented group of individuals have agreed to work with me to help broaden the scope of the devolution deal and implement the convening powers of office.

"The role of the advisers is about utilising experts from right across Merseyside and Halton who are doing pioneering work in their fields to improve business opportunities and the lives of ordinary people.”

Here are the new faces helping the mayor:

Co-opted member:

Jane Kennedy: The Merseyside police and crime commissioner was MP for Wavertree from 1992-2012 and a Government minister between 1997 and 2010, serving in six different departments. These included health, labour, financial secretary to the treasury and becoming Britain’s first woman security minister with responsibility for Policing in Northern Ireland.

Mayoral advisers:

Janet Beer – Higher education: Professor Beer took up post as vice-chancellor of the University of Liverpool in 2015 after seven years in the same role at Oxford Brookes University. She is chairwoman of the board of the Equality Challenge Unit, board member of UCAS and a trustee of the British Council.

Kate Farrell – Homelessness: Ms Farrell is director of Crisis Skylight Merseyside, a homeless organisation that supports thousands of people each year. She is a long-standing campaigner with a renowned national reputation who is a committee member of BBC Children in Need.

Rev Canon Dr Ellen Loudon – Voluntary and community sector: Rev Canon Dr Loudon is canon chancellor at Liverpool Cathedral. Dr Louden was appointed director of social justice for the diocese of Liverpool and is currently area dean and vicar at St Luke's, Walton.

Gideon Ben-Tovim – Natural environment: Mr Ben-Tovim is chairman of the Innovation Agency having previously served as chairman of the Liverpool NHS Primary Care Trust and NHS Merseyside. He is also chairman of Nature Connected, the Liverpool city region local nature partnership.

Barbara Spicer – Social housing growth: Ms Spicer is chief executive of the Plus Dane Group,  commissioner at the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and formerly chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency.

Luciana Berger – Mental health: Ms Berger has been Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree since 2010. She has also served as a shadow minister for mental health.

Sarah Wilde McKeown – Visitor economy: Ms Wilde McKeown is chairwoman of Liverpool city region’s visitor economy board and a trustee of the Royal Court Theatre Trust. She is also managing director of Liverpool PR agency Influential.