Tycoon David Ross is to become a key mayoral adviser again after relinquishing his previous City Hall role amid controversy over his financial affairs.
The cleared Carphone Warehouse boss, who is worth an estimated £540 million, has been appointed to the London Legacy Development Corporation board as a series of new roles were announced today.
Boris Johnson — who is stamping his authority on post-Games use of the Olympic facilities — also appointed to the board Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and his trusted Olympics adviser Neale Coleman.
Mr Ross was handed the role of Mayor’s representative to the board of London 2012 organisers Locog shortly after Mr Johnson’s election in 2008.
He was tasked with using his business acumen to probe Olympic finances and bear down on costs.
But he stood down in 2009 after failing to disclose that he had used £130 million of his shares as security against personal loans.
He was replaced on the Locog board by Sainsbury’s chief Justin King but was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the Financial Services Authority.
The Tory Party donor, 47, has a son with dancer Shelley Ross and is dating glass company heiress Emma Pilkington.
Mr Coleman, who has advised City Hall on the Olympics for almost a decade, will become deputy chair-man of the LLDC, which is chaired by Mr Johnson.
His responsibilities have involved working with the Olympic Delivery Authority and Locog to deliver the infrastructure necessary to stage the Games, getting London ready to host the world’s largest sporting event and ensuring that the organisations leave a legacy of regeneration. Dame Tanni’s influence on the capital continues to grow, as she is also on the board of Transport for London and the London Marathon.
To complete the board’s new structure, current member Phillip Lewis, chairman of the Corporation’s planning committee, has been reappointed and Mr Johnson’s Chief of Staff Sir Edward Lister becomes the Mayor’s official observer for its meetings.
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Mr Johnson said: “The unique experience and skills that Tanni and David bring will add a new dimension to legacy decision-making, strengthen my board and help it build on its incredible achievements to date, including finding tenants for the majority of the 2012 venues and sowing the seeds for thousands of new homes, jobs and other opportunities for Londoners.”
