Mayor’s Design Advocates (MDAs)
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is reappointing his cohort of Mayor’s Design Advocates.
The Mayor of London is seeking independent built environment experts to join the Mayor’s Design Advocates (MDAs) cohort. MDAs play a crucial role in supporting the Good Growth by Design (GGbD) programme, influencing Mayoral decisions, steering policies and advocating for high-quality, sustainable development across London.
Good Growth is the Mayor’s guiding principle for the built environment and sets the direction of the London Plan and all related Mayoral decisions, investments, strategies and policies. Good Growth acknowledges that Londoners will not accept growth at any cost. Growth of our built environment must be socially and economically inclusive, physically accessible and environmentally sustainable.
The programme draws together and promotes efforts being made across the Greater London Authority Group to support quality and inclusion in the built environment. With the support of the Mayor’s Design Advocates, it has had major successes: setting standards for excellence, extending the practice of design review, and supporting cross-industry action to make the built environment sector more diverse and representative. This programme is calling upon the architecture, design, planning, built environment and sustainability sectors to support Good Growth in London.
London's diversity is its biggest asset and the Mayor strives to reflect London's diversity in all board appointments. The aim is that the Mayor’s Design Advocates reflect London’s diversity so we welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
Key Responsibilities:
· Collaborate with GLA Group staff to enhance the built environment through various projects and policies.
· Provide expert advice and support, ensuring inclusivity and sustainability in design.
· Represent the Mayor and uphold the highest professional standards.
Eligibility:
· You must be eligible to have the right to work in the UK.
· A commitment of around 3-7 days per year, with a remuneration of £600 per day.
Term of Appointment:
Up to four years (subject to review), starting Autumn 2025, with a comprehensive induction provided.
Selection Criteria:
· Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in the built environment with skills of promoting high quality and sustainable design.
· Strong advocacy for equality, diversity and inclusion.
· Ability to bridge the gap between the sector and GLA Group.
· We strongly encourage applications from under-represented communities to reflect London’s diversity.
How to Apply:
Please read the RECRUITMENT PACK for full details of the role and recruitment process.
Submission requirements:
- Biography (Bio):
Your bio should be no more than 150 words, detailing your relevant experience and how your sector expertise will promote high-quality, sustainable, inclusive growth in London.
- Sector Experience:
Select up to three Sector Experience options and provide up to 50 words of project details for each, demonstrating your relevant experience and skills.
- Letter to the Mayor:
In no more than 400 words, draft a letter to the Mayor of London outlining how design and city-making should support quality, sustainability, and inclusion for all Londoners. Focus on one proposition, programme, policy, or initiative, demonstrating strategic thinking and persuasive communication (see recruitment pack for full details).
If you have any queries around the content of the recruitment pack or to arrange confidential discussion, please contact goodgrowthbydesign@london.gov.uk in the first instance.
If you have any queries regarding the application process or if you require information in an alternative format, please email glarecruitment@engageats.co.uk quoting reference MDA2025.