Request ID: FOI-2900-2122 Date published: 01 April 2022
You asked
Hello
I understand there are a number of opportunities filled temporarily across TfL.
London Underground and TfL are now receiving DfT tax payer funded support.
London Underground Director of Customer Operations
Why was this position not advertised?
Does this afford equal opportunity to all backgrounds and ethnicities?
Is Andrew Lord signed up to the racism charter and why did he fill this position directly without fair recruitment?
Are there many other instances of closed recruitment practices in senior management?
Why is the general manager for bakerloo and victoria lines position also not being advertised?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2900-2122/GH Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 17 March 2022 asking for information about recruitment practices. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked:
recruitment practices - london underground I understand there are a number of opportunities filled temporarily across TfL. London Underground and TfL are now receiving DfT tax payer funded support. London Underground Director of Customer Operations Why was this position not advertised? In January 2021, Andy Lord, London Underground’s MD, announced a number of changes to his leadership organisation. He stated that the structure would be simpler, with clearer role accountabilities, remove duplication and reduce cost, enabling us to become planning-led and data driven leading to more agility in delivery. He announced that, Brian Woodhead, Director of Customer Service, would be retiring and that as a result, he would be combining the two organisations that primarily interfaced directly with our customers to improve collaboration and service delivery. Nick Dent was already leading the other organisation, Line Operations. The new role of Director of Customer Operations, combined what was already Nick Dent’s role with Stations so there was no need to advertise the role.
Does this afford equal opportunity to all backgrounds and ethnicities? It was not appropriate to advertise this position as it was a revision of an existing role with an existing postholder. Is Andrew Lord signed up to the racism charter and why did he fill this position directly without fair recruitment? We can confirm that Andy Lord is signed up to the Anti-Racism Charter. Please see above for our response to the remainder of your question. Are there many other instances of closed recruitment practices in senior management? We are committed to fair, open and transparent recruitment practices and oversee this via a very robust headcount controls process. The appointment made above was communicated openly on 26 January 2021 in an all employee bulletin. Why is the general manager for bakerloo and victoria lines position also not being advertised? It is worth noting that the Line General Management position no longer exists and they have been replace with the ‘Head of’ position. For business reasons, we have filled this role temporarily with an internal development move from within the existing Head of team. If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
