Chandru Dissanayeke

Executive Director, Strategy and Communications 

Biography

Chandru Dissanayeke is the Executive Director for Strategy and Communication in the Greater London Authority, where he supports the Mayor of London and the Assembly deliver improved outcomes for all Londoners. He previously held a variety of senior policy and project roles across five UK Government departments; including, as the director responsible for reform following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Prior to joining the civil service, he had a career delivering projects and programmes within the financial, technology, manufacturing, and entertainment industries. He is married with three children and is active in his local community, alongside being a trustee of charities that work with the most deprived communities in the UK. 

Responsibilities

As Executive Director, the role provides strategic leadership across a broad portfolio including intelligence and analysis, GLA Economics, policy and opinion research, strategy, demography, and city data. The post leads engagement with key stakeholders across London and beyond through strategic partnerships, government and international relations, and the London Partnership Board. 

The role also oversees the GLA’s external relations functions, including press, events, strategic communications, digital and internal communications, marketing, and campaigns. Responsibility extends to the London Resilience function—supporting city-wide emergency preparedness and recovery—as well as fire policy and oversight in collaboration with the London Fire Brigade. 

The Executive Director chairs the Directorate Management Team, driving delivery of corporate priorities, ensuring effective resource allocation, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement and high performance across all teams.