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New Royal Parks Advisory Board Appointed

Tessa Blackstone, Minister for the Arts, today announced the appointment of a new Royal Parks Advisory Board under the Chairmanship of Peter Ellwood. The new board will comprise Apurv Bagri, Sir Terry Farrell, Emir Feisal and Ylva French. The appointments are for four years.


The Advisory Board will provide independent advice to the Secretary of State, the Minister for the Arts and the Chief Executive of The Royal Parks, William Weston, on The Royal Parks' strategic direction, plans, and performance. It will also advise on The Royal Parks' contribution to the Secretary of State's key priorities and the Government's wider objectives. The Advisory Board will have no line or executive responsibilities.


Work is also in hand to create a new, independent charitable trust, the Royal Parks Foundation, to support major restoration works, new projects, and work in areas of new development such as education, sport and ecology. A member from each of the Advisory Board and the Foundation will also join the Royal Parks Management Board as non-executive Directors to strengthen the strategic planning and management of the Parks.


In announcing the appointments, Tessa Blackstone said:


"These appointments bring a wealth of experience to the Advisory Board and so to help the Parks themselves. This experience will strengthen the strategic capabilities of the Parks and allow them to deliver on the Secretary of State's objectives".


Welcoming the appointments, Will Weston said:


"The appointment of a new Advisory Board is very welcome and I look forward to working with them. The Royal Parks are changing. We have a new dynamic agenda to use the precious resources at our disposal for the benefit of a much wider section of the community. The diverse backgrounds and considerable skills of the new Advisory Board will help us move our new agenda forward at exactly the right moment."


Notes to Editors


The Royal Parks is an Executive Agency of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and is responsible for managing and policing the eight Royal Parks on behalf of the Secretary of State.


Millions of Londoners and tourists visit the eight Royal Parks for free each year. The 5,000 acres of carefully conserved historic parkland provide unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of the capital.


The eight Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park (with Primrose Hill), Richmond Park and St James's Park.


Peter Ellwood CBE (59) Currently Group Chief Executive, Lloyds TSB Group. From 1989 -1997 held various Chief Executive posts within the TSB Group. Chief Executive Barclaycard (1985-89). Various roles Barclays Bank (1961-89). Chairman, The Work Foundation (previously Industrial Society). Chair, Employers for Work Life Balance. Member, Prince's Trust Advisory Council. Member, the Council of the Royal College of Music. Non-executive director, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.


Apurv Bagri (42) Group Managing Director, Metdist Ltd (international non-ferrous trade and industry, part of the London Metal Exchange)  (1980- ); Commissioner of the Crown Estate Paving Commission (1996- ); Trustee of Asia House, a charitable organisation developing closer cultural ties between Asia and the UK; Chairman of the Asia Pacific Regional Advisory Board of the London Business School; Member of the International Board of Overseers of the Cass Business School; Member of Governing Council of City University , London; Committee Member of the South East Asia International Financial Services Ltd; Chairman of the International Wrought Copper Council.


Sir Terry Farrell CBE (64) Principal Terry Farrell & Partners (Architects and Town Planning consultants) since 1980.  Major projects include redevelopment of Charing Cross Station; Edinburgh International Conference Centre; British Consulate Hong Kong; Vauxhall Cross and Kowloon Station, Hong Kong. Visiting professor University of Westminster.  Work includes regeneration of prominent but neglected public spaces and urban design. He was a member of the Jennifer Jenkins review team of The Royal Parks and has been a Commissioner of English Heritage. Chairman of Central London Partnership Walking Co-ordination Group.


Emir K Feisal (45) Editorial Accountant, The Sunday Times; Divisional Accountant, Compass Group (1996-98); Chairman of the management committee Paddington Arts (a charity for young children); Chairman of the Kensington and Chelsea Lay Visitors Panel; Counsellor, Kensington and Chelsea Victim Support; Chairman Homeshare (a charity that puts elderly and young people in touch); Trustee Federation of London Youth Clubs. Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.


Ylva K M French (57) Managing Director of her own communications agency since 1998. Operates as a marketing communications and public relations consultancy working with tourist boards, museums, tourist attractions and heritage organisations.  Company Secretary and Executive Director for The Campaign for Museums (1995 - ); Head of Public Relations at the London Tourist Board (1978-88); President, Association of Women in Public Relations (1994-96).

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