The Mayor of London has announced the appointment of broadcaster, writer and commentator Wesley Kerr to The Royal Parks Board.
Wesley Kerr has a lifelong interest in London’s heritage, with an active interest in preserving the capital’s world-class parks. Mr Kerr has been chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Committee for London since 2007 and was also chair of its London Parks for People Committee (2007-2009). At HLF, which runs Parks for People scheme with the Big Lottery Fund he has had as major role in awarding grants totaling tens of millions of pounds for heritage led regenerations of parks, landscapes and gardens across the capital. He is a member of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show Gardens Panel.
Wesley Kerr was appointed by the Mayor following an open recruitment process to replace marketing consultant Sue Moore who stepped down from the Royal Parks Board in June 2013.
Since 2011 the Mayor is responsible for appointing the Chair of the Royal Parks Board along with five of its members. The 12-strong body also consists of three members appointed by London Councils to represent London boroughs, two members of the Royal Parks senior management team and a member of the Royal Household.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, commented: ‘London's Royal Parks have national treasure status, hosting millions of people every year. These precious parks must be managed to ensure we balance the needs of today's visitor whilst ensuring they are maintained for future generations. Wesley’s knowledge and passion for London’s past, present and future heritage shone through and I am pleased to confirm his appointment to the Royal Parks Board.’
The Hon Apurv Bagri, Chair of the Royal Parks Board, said: ‘I am pleased to welcome Wesley Kerr to the Royal Parks Board. He is bringing with him a great deal of horticultural interest and experience and I look forward to his contributions to our work to protect and enhance these precious assets.’
Wesley Kerr said: ‘One of the things which makes London so very great, but which we often take for granted, is our public parks. The Royal Parks are an exemplar of the best as well as being the finest collection of historic landscapes of any city in the world and I am a frequent visitor to them all. As a little boy the first big wildlife I ever saw were deer in Bushy Park and it is an honour to join the Board now. It is hard work preserving the Royal Park’s beauty, accessibility, splendid trees, fine horticulture, watercourses and historic structures which together constitute their unique character. I will work with enthusiasm, passion and knowledge to assist the Board and the Mayor in making these wonderful places even more special for Londoners and those passing through our green and pleasant metropolis.’
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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.
- The Board of 12 members comprises:
- 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 fulfill a range of expertise and experience required to provide strategic direction for the Parks.