Press Release
Mayor appoints First Deputy Mayor
22-5-2008 261
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is delighted to announce that Tim Parker has agreed to become First Deputy Mayor and Chief Executive of the GLA Group. The Mayor will also nominate Tim to be Chairman of Transport for London from 1st September 2008.
Tim Parker is one of the UK's most successful businessmen with an impressive track record of bringing out the best in a wide range of major companies, including the AA, Kwik-Fit, Clarks and Kenwood. He also has considerable experience of public service, having worked in the Treasury and served as a board member of the Audit Commission and a Regional Development Agency and as chairman of the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund.
Tim Parker will take up his post on the 7 July 2008. He has agreed to take no salary.
Boris Johnson said: "Tim Parker is ideally and uniquely equipped for the huge challenge of improving the lives of Londoners and delivering value for money. His skills, insight and experience will be invaluable. I'm thrilled that he's agreed to take the position and am grateful that he's agreed to do so effectively for free.”
Tim Parker said: "I relish this opportunity to bring out the best in the GLA Group. I've spent my career taking over struggling companies and making them strong. I see wonderful opportunities to transform the infrastructure of London and deliver better services to Londoners. Throughout my business career, I have been accountable to exacting shareholders. In my new role, my shareholders will be the taxpayers of London. Throughout my career I have tried to focus companies on the core product demanded by consumers. My core products now will be the key services vital to Londoners. I feel honoured to be offered the opportunity and look forward to taking up my post in July."
Tim Parker has decided to step down from all other business interests, except his position as an unpaid non-executive director of a media company in Australia, a commitment which involves two days a year.
He is married with four children, plays the flute and loves art, opera and running. He is 52.
He was chairman of the Labour Party at Oxford University (where he read politics, philosophy and economics), but left the party many years ago.
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Notes to Editors
- Tim Parker will receive a nominal salary of £1 a year and has entered into contract of employment with standard terms for a position at this level.
- The appointment of Tim Parker to the chair of the Board of TfL is subject to consultation with the London Assembly in accordance with new powers in the GLA Act 2007. The London Assembly has three weeks from the announcement of the proposed appointee to conduct a non-binding confirmation hearing.
- As announced on 14th May, the Mayor of London currently chairs the Board of TfL but he will cease to be a member of the Board when the appointment of Tim Parker is confirmed.
- Nick Boles will cease to be Interim Chief of Staff on 7 July 2008. He will continue to provide transitional support to the Mayor and First Deputy Mayor until 30th July 2008.
- As announced on 13th May, Anthony Mayer is stepping down from his post as Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service of the GLA in September 2008. For the avoidance of confusion with the position of the First Deputy Mayor, the Mayor proposes that his successor as Head of Paid Service, which is a joint appointment with the Assembly, should be known as Chief Officer of the GLA.
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