The Corporation has appointed Katie Stewart as the new Executive Director for Environment to help sustainably develop the Square Mile’s built environment and lead the organisation’s fight against climate change.
Her responsibilities at the City Corporation will include helping to drive delivery of an ambitious plan to future-proof the Square Mile through City Plan 2040, which will provide space for businesses to grow, improve transport and servicing, and maintain our unique historic environment. She will work closely with the City’s excellent planning officers, as well as the Planning and Transportation Committee, to continue delivery of a significant number of transformative, high profile and strategic development schemes, that will result in major economic, social and cultural benefits.
With planning playing a key role in the journey has to creating a 7-day ‘Destination City’ for all, Katie will also work closely with local businesses, occupiers and local community groups to deliver the ‘Destination City’ vision, as well as address long-term issues such as climate resilience and urban greening to deliver a sustainable City.
Katie Stewart joins the City Corporation from Surrey County Council, where she served as the Executive Director for Environment, Infrastructure and Growth, with responsibility for highways, waste, emergency planning, countryside estate and green infrastructure, climate change, the county’s planning service, as well as economic development and corporate land and property.
Also included in her role is the stewardship of the City Corporation’s world-leading open spaces. The organisation protects over 11,000 acres of parks, forests, heaths, gardens, and historic open spaces across London and southeast England, including Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath, for the benefit of the City, London, and the nation. These sites attract 47 million visitors a year, with many operating as charitable trusts and running at little or no cost to the communities they serve. They include a wide variety of critically important wildlife habitats, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, and National Nature Reserves, and are protected under legislation.
And she will oversee the organisation’s role as the London Port Health Authority – the largest such authority by area in the UK, covering 95 miles of the tidal Thames – and manage a range of other high-profile City Corporation functions, including highways and street cleansing, Licencing, environmental health, air quality, trading standards, the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre, and the Cemetery and Crematoria.
Katie brings 17 years of local government experience to the role, previously having served as a Director for Environment Planning and Enforcement at Kent County Council, and economic development roles at City of York Council and Leeds City Region Partnership. Katie is also a chair of the Southeast Board and Second Vice President of the National Board of the Association of Directors for Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT), and a board member for Active Surrey, the county’s sports partnership. She is American by birth and moved to England from America 20 years ago.
In her spare time, Katie is an amateur runner and when not running around nearby Richmond Park, is found running around after her five-year old son.
Incoming Corporation Executive Director of Environment Katie Stewart said:
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Corporation in such an important and exciting role. The is the historic and modern heart of London, and it is a clear engine of the UK economy with real global impact. It is therefore a real privilege to join the Corporation at such a pivotal time, with the opportunity to drive forward the organisation’s high aspirations through the City Plan 2040 and Destination City campaign, as well as an impressive portfolio of green spaces and its important role as Port Health Authority.
“I have been very impressed by members and officers alike through the recruitment process, and look forward to joining what I know is a talented and ambitious team. I would like to thank the members, officers and partners of Surrey County Council for the opportunity of working with them over the last four years in the environment and place services that I have led. It has been an honour to work with such a passionate team and stakeholders in that time.”
Corporation Policy Chairman Chris Hayward said:
“The City Corporation welcomes Katie, who joins us to take on a critically important role to help deliver sustainable growth for the City, whilst enhancing our green and open spaces, celebrating local heritage and in supporting our world class planning department.
“Her wealth of experience will be invaluable in guiding the towards its net zero goals and delivering a world leading visitor destination in which everyone can thrive.”
Corporation Town Clerk and Chief Executive Ian Thomas CBE said:
“We are thrilled to have Katie on board, who will make an excellent addition to our brilliant and dynamic team. She brings with her an impressive record of delivery over near two decades in environment and planning roles.
“Katie’s appointment represents a huge investment in the implementation of City Plan 2040 and our Climate Action Strategy, putting us in a strong position to face the challenges that lie ahead.”
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