Cratus expands its cross-party leadership to strengthen its strategic advice

Cratus Communications – the public affairs agency specialising in local public services – has announced the appointment of the former Labour leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich – Chris Roberts – as its Deputy Chairman. His new role complements last year’s appointment of Sir Merrick Cockell (the former Local Government Association chairman and past Conservative Leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea) as Executive Chairman.

Chris Roberts, who stood down in 2014, will work alongside Ben Sherreard, Executive Director of Cratus Planning Communications to expand the agency’s work in London as well as lead on major regeneration projects. As Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich he led one of London’s most ambitious regeneration agendas, including the Greenwich Peninsula, Royal Arsenal and Kidbrooke Village developments. He led campaigns to secure the delivery of major infrastructure projects, not least the delivery of Crossrail to the Borough.

Chris’s experience includes his time as Chair of the Thames Gateway London Partnership of 10 local authorities in London, as well as leading on planning and regeneration for London Councils until last year. A former member of the Mayor’s London Housing Board and Local Enterprise Partnership, he led Greenwich to securing Royal Borough status and through the period when it hosted major events in the Olympic Games. His passion for regeneration will provide Cratus with a platform to move to the next level of support for our development clients. He also provides an important political balance to the team.

Sir Merrick Cockell said: “We are delighted to welcome Chris to Cratus. We have both had the privilege of being long serving leaders of Royal Boroughs in London, for our respective parties. Chris knows what it takes to be a leader, he shares our passion for all things local and he wants to make a difference as much today as he did when he first entered the world of Local Government. We are all looking forward to working together and enjoying the vigorous political debates that will ensue as we help our clients navigate all things local.”