Mike Brown MVO was announced this week as the Chair of the shadow Delivery Authority Board, which will oversee the execution of the work to restore and renew the Palace of Westminster. 

Mike is currently Commissioner of Transport for London (TfL), the world’s largest regulated transport authority. 

In his new role, he will oversee the biggest and most complex renovation of a heritage building ever undertaken in the UK. The governing bodies of both the House of Commons and House of Lords approved his appointment on 17 October 2019. Mike is expected to take up his new role as Chair in May 2020. 

The Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal Programme has been established to tackle the significant work that needs to be done to protect the heritage of the Palace of Westminster and ensure it can continue to serve as home to the UK Parliament in the 21st century and beyond. 

The shadow Sponsor Body was established in 2018, to set the scope, budget and timescale of the Restoration and Renewal Programme, and oversee a Delivery Authority with the technical expertise to commission and execute the work.  

Earlier this month (October) Parliament passed The Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019 which sets out in law how the work will be carried out under this two-tier governance system. The legislation provides for a six-month transition period, with the governing bodies being set up in the Spring of 2020. The structure is similar to the 2012 London Olympics and other successful infrastructure projects. 

As TfL Commissioner, Mike Brown has led delivery of the Mayor’s transport strategy and multi-billion pound transport investment programme. He transformed the efficiency of the organisation and has overseen a step-change in TfL’s focus on tackling safety on London’s roads, improving air quality and encouraging a shift to public transport, cycling and walking. 

He also improved reliability across the Underground, oversaw  major  station redevelopment projects and the successful delivery of the services to support the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. His brief also included the protection of a huge swathe of the capital’s industrial heritage, including hundreds of listed and otherwise protected buildings. 

Mike first joined London Underground (LU) in 1989 and became Chief Operating Officer in 2003. He left to run Heathrow Airport during a huge transformation and passenger improvement programme, and later returned as Managing Director of LU. There, he was responsible for operating services with more than one billion journeys every day and leading the largest investment programme in the organisation’s history. 

Mike Brown said of his appointment: 

“The Palace of Westminster is a symbol of our national identity which is recognised all over the world. So it is great honour to lead the work of restoring and renewing this architectural jewel at the heart of London.  

“We face an immense and urgent task, but delivering a home fit for our parliament for generations to come is a great prize and I’m eager to get started on delivering it.” 

Liz Peace, Chair of the shadow Sponsor Board, said of Mike’s appointment: 

“I’m delighted that a leader of Mike’s stature and with such an impressive track record of delivery is joining us to tackle this great challenge. 

 “The Sponsor Board looks forward to drawing on his experience and working with him to make our most cherished historic listed building a safe, working home for our democracy.”