Ian Hughes has been appointed as programme director to oversee the Local Government Association’s new European and International Unit, following a shake-up of how the association approaches international work.
Last year’s review of the Local Government International Bureau recommended that European and international work be mainstreamed into the LGA. The new unit, which came into operation in January this year, strengthens European lobbying, brings greater coherence and prominence to international work and aligns it more closely with the priorities of the LGA and those of local government in general. 
Hughes is currently a deputy director at the Government Office for London where he is responsible for the East London Locality Division. He has worked at Southwark and Thurrock councils and also served as head of the Association of London Government’s Brussels office in the mid 1990s.
'It’s an honour for me personally to take up this post but also an opportunity for the LGA to build on the excellent and hugely respected work that goes on in London, Brussels and all round the world,' Hughes said.  
'European and international work is taking a central place in the way that the LGA functions. The new arrangements ensure that international issues are fully integrated into domestic work and will help to demonstrate their importance to the day-to-day work of local government.'
Ian will take up the post in March 2007. The new European and International Unit will sit within the corporate strategy and public affairs directorate at the LGA.
Jenny Crighton, director of corporate strategy and public affairs, said: 'I am delighted to have been able to secure Ian’s services and look forward to working with him. I am confident that he will provide the strong leadership that is required to meet the challenges that face the LGA’s European and International unit in the months and years that come.'