Businessman is new deputy mayor

Tim Parker will start his new role in July

Boris Johnson has appointed the former boss of Clarks shoes and the AA as his First Deputy Mayor.

Tim Parker, 52, has also agreed to become chairman of Transport for London as well as chief executive of the Greater London Authority.

The multi-millionaire, who made his fortune from private equity, has agreed to take no salary for his roles.

Unlike the deputy mayors, who have specific areas of responsibility, Mr Parker will have a broader remit.

Mr Parker was chairman of the Labour Party at Oxford University but left the party many years ago.

'Prince of Darkness'

He has been an adviser for the Conservative Party for several years now.

"I've spent my career taking over struggling companies and making them strong," he said.

Deputy Mayor appointees Richard Barnes, health and equality Ian Clement, Government Relations Ray Lewis, Young People and Opportunities

"I see wonderful opportunities to transform the infrastructure of London and deliver better services to Londoners."

Mr Johnson said: "His skills, insight and experience will be invaluable."

"I'm thrilled that he's agreed to take the position and am grateful that he's agreed to do so effectively for free."

Union leaders gave a more luke-warm response to the announcement. Bob Crown, Rail and Maritime Transport union leader, said Mr Parker has a ruthless track record.

"Tim Parker has a reputation as a private equity asset-stripper and has been dubbed the Prince of Darkness by unions that have encountered his methods in the past," he said.

"The world's finest metro system does not need an asset-stripper or a Prince of Darkness, but it does need its modernisation programme put back on track if it is to be ready for the 2012 Olympics."

The father-of-four will step down from all other business interests, except his position as an unpaid non-executive director of a media company in Australia.

He will take up his post on 7 July.

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