29.05.18
GLA appoints first female chief officer
The Greater London Authority (GLA) has appointed its first woman to role of chief officer.
London mayor Sadiq Khan and the London Assembly have jointly appointed Mary Harpley as the authority’s most senior officer.
Harpley, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the public and private sectors, will replace Jeff Jacobs to become the GLA’s head of paid service.
Most recently, she has served as chief executive of the London Borough of Hounslow for seven years, where she held overall responsibility for 2,500 staff and was principal advisor on strategy and policy to the leader of the council, cabinet and leader of the opposition.
Previously she was chief executive of Cherwell District Council, and corporate director of the former West Midlands Regional Development Agency.
Welcoming Harpley to the GLA, Sadiq Khan said: “I am delighted to welcome Mary to City Hall and look forward to working with her as we strive to create a city that works for everyone and leaves no Londoner behind.
“There was a strong field for this role but Mary’s track-record, vision and tenacity singled her out as the ideal candidate for this important role.”
Tony Arbour, London Assembly chair, added: “Mary’s wealth of experience and leadership skills will ensure our success as champions for the Capital. We look forward to working with her, investigating the issues that matter to Londoners.”
Harpley said that she was “delighted” to be moving to City Hall, having lived and worked in London for most of her working life, and that she is “very excited by the opportunity to contribute to current and future work to maintain and enhance London’s status as a great city.”
The appointment comes two months after figures revealed that the GLA Group had made little progress in closing its gender pay gap due to a lack of women in senior roles.
She is expected to take up the post in September.
Top image: Terraxplorer
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