Londoners to have greater say in the Royal Parks

The Mayor of London has today announced the first details of the new board for the The Royal Parks, with the aim to give Londoners a far greater say.

Following recent discussions between the Mayor Boris Johnson and DCMS ministers, it has been agreed that a new board will be appointed by the Mayor to strengthen the ways in which Londoners can have a voice in the oversight and management of these great assets. The new board will consist of 12 individuals. London Councils will nominate three members to represent London boroughs, and membership will also include two members of the Royal Parks senior management team and a member of the Royal Household.

To ensure stability ahead of 2012 when the Royal Parks will play a vital role in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Mayor has asked several members of the current Royal Parks board to continue in their roles. These members are: Chairman Apurv Bagri (Managing Director of Metdist Ltd); Sue Moore, Marketing and Customer Development Director Bupa Health & Wellbeing; Ruth Anderson, a non executive director of Ocado; and Andrew Fenwick, Group Finance Director of Brunswick PR Group.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, commented: ‘London's Royal Parks are a unique asset with national importance, but they are also used by millions on Londoners on a day to day basis. My aim is to ensure that they are managed in a way that best meets the needs of all their users but with Londoners having better ways to have their views taken into account. It is right therefore that the body responsible for its strategic direction has stronger links to the democratically elected Mayor of the city.

'As the Royal Parks are set to play a starring role in next year's Jubilee and 2012 celebrations, it is vital that we steer a steady course at this important time. So I am delighted that several members of the current board, including Chairman Apurv Bagri, have accepted my invitation to carry on in their roles. This means we can take advantage of their extensive experience as we seek to bolster how Londoners can get more involved in the running of these wonderful parks.'

Heritage and Tourism Minister John Penrose, added: ‘The Royal Parks and the magnificent buildings they house are a big part of what makes London a magnet for tourists from all over the world, and never more so than next year when millions will enjoy them in person, and hundreds of millions will see them on TV.  But for all this, they are first and foremost a delight and a source of inspiration for everyone who lives and works in the capital.  These plans will ensure that Londoners have a chance to make sure they stay special by having a bigger say in the way they’re run.’

Chairman Apurv Bagri, said: ‘I am delighted to have been asked by the Mayor to chair the new Royal Parks Board.  I look forward to working with him and new colleagues to ensure that The Royal Parks are protected and enhanced for this and future generations.’

Ends

Notes to editors:

The Royal Parks are Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park, The Green Park, The Regent’s Park (with Primrose Hill), Bushy Park, Greenwich Park and Richmond Park.  The Agency also manages other public spaces including Victoria Tower Gardens, Grosvenor Square and Brompton Cemetery.

The Royal Parks is an executive agency of DCMS.

Under the new governance arrangements all Board members will be appointed by the Mayor of London, with the agreement of the Secretary of State. The Royal Parks Agency will continue to receive its public funding from DCMS.

The new Board will be in place early 2012.

The new Board of 12 members will comprise:

- Three members nominated by London Councils;

- A member of the Royal Household;

- The Chief Executive of the Royal Parks and one other executive of the agency;

- Six other members (including the chair) appointed by the Mayor to fulfil a range of expertise and experience required to provide strategic direction for the Parks.

Board members will serve 4 years. The board members who continue to serve from the outgoing Royal Parks board will serve two years with the exception of the chairman who will serve four years

Mark Camley has been Chief Executive of The Royal Parks since 2005.

For media enquiries please call Hilary Merrett, Nicola Dillon or Elizabeth Lee at the Mayor’s Press Office on 020 7983 4755/4066/4928. Numbers not for publication.

For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000.

For non-media enquiries please call the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.