Centre for London announces new Chair of Trustees, Fiona Fletcher-Smith

Fiona Fletcher-Smith has today been announced as Centre for London’s new Chair of Trustees, taking up the role for an initial three year term. She will succeed the thinktank’s outgoing Chair, Liz Peace CBE, after May’s board meeting on 24 May 2022.

An existing board member at the Centre for London and well-known figure in London public sector and policy circles, Fiona is currently the Chief Executive Officer of housing association L&Q. Prior to joining L&Q, Fiona worked in senior roles in local government for 18 years, in roles including Executive Director, Development, Enterprise & Environment at the Greater London Authority and Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods, London Borough of Hackney.

This is an exciting time for Centre for London, following on from Nick Bowes’ appointment as Chief Executive last year, after the departure after ten years of founding director Ben Rogers. The Centre will also be moving in the summer from its current office on Hatton Garden to a new home at House of Sport, in Borough.

Fiona Fletcher-Smith, incoming Chair of Trustees, Centre for London, said: “I am delighted to be deepening my involvement with the Centre for London and taking over the role of Chair of Trustees next month. Stepping into Liz’s shoes will not be easy, but I am looking forward to the challenge. The need for an independent think tank for London has never been greater, and I look forward to ensuring Centre for London is at the heart of making our capital a city with healthier, safer places to live, work and socialise and a fairer, more sustainable economy that benefits its people long-term.”

Liz Peace CBE, outgoing Chair of Trustees, Centre for London, said: “I feel privileged to have been chair of Centre for London for the last six years and like to think I have been able to support the organisation to help London explore and propose solutions to some of the many issues that our great city faces. It’s time for me to move on and I can’t think of anyone better to hand over to than Fiona. I have no doubt that under her leadership the Centre will go from strength to strength and help keep London in its rightful position as the best city in the world.”

Nick Bowes, Chief Executive, Centre for London, said: “I am delighted Fiona is the Centre’s new Chair. During her six years as Chair of Trustees, Liz has overseen dramatic change at Centre for London, and I look forward to working closely with Fiona to build on this hard work. London is facing many challenges at the moment, not least the impact of the pandemic, and the city needs a strong, authoritative public policy voice more than ever. Centre for London is well placed to lead these crucial debates.”