NLGN appoints new director

Independent think tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN) has appointed Simon Parker as its new director.

Parker joins NLGN from the Institute for Government where he is a Fellow. He was previously head of public services for the think tank Demos and has worked on public services policy for the CBI, where he led programmes on local government and public sector employment reform.

He has also worked as a journalist for the Guardian and LGC, where he contributed articles on public management and politics.

He will take up the post in September replacing previous NLGN director Chris Leslie, who was elected MP for Nottingham East in May 2010.

Parker said:
“NLGN has a well-deserved reputation for leading the debate on localism and I’m delighted to be part of taking this agenda forward. The new political landscape has created tremendous opportunities to embed localism in the way the UK is governed – freeing councils from central bureaucracy and putting communities in control.

“It’s a time for ambitious thinking, and with our strong networks and rigorous research, NLGN is in an ideal position to shape the debate over public service reform, decentralisation and democratic renewal.”