The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and the London Assembly have today jointly appointed Mary Harpley as Chief Officer at the Greater London Authority (GLA).
As Chief Officer, Mary will act as the GLA’s statutory Head of Paid Service and becomes the first woman to lead the GLA staff as its most senior officer. She replaces Jeff Jacobs, who has retired as Head of Paid Service after serving seven years in the role.
Mary Harpley has more than 30 years’ experience both in the public and private sectors and joins the GLA from the London Borough of Hounslow where she has been Chief Executive for seven years.
At Hounslow, Mary has overall responsibility for the council’s 2,500 staff and was principal adviser on strategy and policy to the Leader of the Council, Cabinet and the Leader of the Opposition. She is also responsible for ensuring that the Council worked with partners to secure the wellbeing of Hounslow residents.
She has also served as Chief Executive of Cherwell District Council in North Oxfordshire, management consultant at McKinsey & Company and Corporate Director of the former West Midlands Regional Development Agency.
Mary will be responsible for the strategic direction and management of the organisation and will lead the corporate management team of executive directors. She will also act as Greater London Returning Officer.
The Mayor of London, 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.”
Chairman of the London Assembly, Tony Arbour AM, said: “The London Assembly warmly welcomes the appointment of Mary Harpley, as the Chief Officer for the Greater London Authority.
“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.”
Mary Harpley, said: “I am delighted to be moving to City Hall to work with the Mayor, the Assembly, GLA staff and partners. I have lived and worked in London for most of my working life and am very excited by the opportunity to contribute to current and future work to maintain and enhance London’s status as a great city”.
It is expected that Mary will take up her post at City Hall in September.
Notes to editors
This appointment is subject to formal ratification by the Mayor and London Assembly.