Press Release
The Mayor appoints business heavyweights to 2012 Games and legacy roles
16-1-2009 026
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has today announced the appointment of Justin King, Chief Executive of Sainsbury's, and top private equity investor, David Gregson to assist him in staging a safe, sustainable and accessible Games and securing the best possible future for the Olympic Park following the 2012 Games.
Justin King has accepted the role of the Mayor’s representative on the Board of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and brings with him a wealth of business experience. The Mayor has asked Justin to bring that experience to bear to help ensure London stages a truly exceptional Olympic and Paralympic Games.
David Gregson has been chosen to take over the role of Chairman on the Mayor’s Legacy Board of Advisors, a role he will hold until the proposed new Legacy Special Purpose Vehicle is created. His remit will centre on ensuring the creation of a truly lasting legacy for all Londoners. The Mayor has asked David, with his Board, to advise him on all aspects of legacy, including physical regeneration, in addition to the wider sporting, cultural and educational legacy.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:
“My team and I are fully focussed on guaranteeing that London hosts a spectacular sporting event for athletes and spectators alike in 2012. Of equal importance is ensuring that the Olympic Park has a sustainable legacy and becomes a landmark district of 21st century London, which Londoners and visitors to our city can use and prosper from.
“It is clear that this is no easy task and so it is enormously reassuring that both Justin and David are on board. These two men have distinguished careers and bring with them a wealth of experience. Justin’s leadership of Sainsbury’s has seen the company create record sales in the face of an economic downturn and David has led one of the top private equity investor companies in the UK. Their contribution will be valuable and I look forward to working with them both.”
Justin King said: “I feel excited and privileged to be asked to make a contribution to such an important event, for London and the country.”
David Gregson said: “I am honoured to have been asked by the Mayor to lead his top quality Legacy Board of Advisors, and work with the many stakeholders who have an interest in the fast developing and exciting plans for the Olympic legacy. This work will draw on my experience at Phoenix and on my many other activities with both Government and the not-for-profit sector, and I am greatly looking forward to getting started in the new role.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. Both roles are on an unpaid basis
2. The Legacy Board of Advisors is advising the Mayor on all aspects of the legacy programme for London. It focuses on the emerging proposals for physical development and regeneration in and around the Olympic Park after the Games and the business plan for the Olympic Park and legacy venues. It advises the Mayor on how to maximise the regeneration benefits for existing and new communities in East London while ensuring an appropriate return on the public investment in the Park. It also focuses on high standards of management and maintenance of the Park and venues while delivering viability, affordability and the best possible use of the venues by Londoners and elite athletes.
3. The Legacy Board of Advisors will consider proposals for establishing a separate vehicle to secure development and investment, in particular from the private sector, in high-quality regeneration in and around the Olympic Park. The Mayor’s objective is to work with partners to establish this vehicle, expected in 2009. In addition to the physical renewal of the area, the Board will, in liaison with the five host boroughs, central Government and key delivery agencies, advise on the wider sporting, cultural and educational legacy that will help further transform the area into a vibrant new district of London.
Biographies:
1. Justin King has been Chief Executive of Sainsbury's since March 2004. Before joining Sainsbury's, he was Director of Food at Marks & Spencer and prior to that held senior positions at ASDA/Wal-Mart and was Managing Director of Haagen-Dazs UK. His early career was at Mars Confectionery and Pepsi International.
Justin is President of the IGD, a member of the CBI President's Committee and is a patron of Skillsmart Retail, the national sector skills council for retail. He also sits on the Board of Bath University Management School and is a non-executive director of Staples Inc.
2. David Gregson has led, and is now part-time Chairman of, Phoenix Equity Partners, one of the leading private equity groups in the UK. David is currently Chairman of Precise Media Group, a Director of Abel & Cole and of Letts Filofax Group, a Trustee of WWF-UK and of The Climate Group, and is a member of the Advisory Board for The Sutton Trust. David has advised recently on two government reviews - Legal Aid Procurement and, separately, the Prison Service in England & Wales.
David started his career with Ferranti and Metal Box and has over 25 years experience of investing in private companies. David was previously chairman of the Jane Goodall Institute in the UK and has a degree in Maths and Physics from Cambridge University and an MBA from Manchester Business School.
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