About Capital Ambition

Capital Ambition was set up in January 2006 by London local government to improve public services across the capital.

Partners include the 32 London boroughs, the City of London, the Greater London Authority and the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority.

The Partnership's Chair is Derek Myers, Chief Executive of RB Kensington and Chelsea. The Vice-Chair is Rob Leak, Chief Executive of LB Enfield and Chair of the London Centre of Excellence. For the full list of members go to our members page.

Capital Ambition is hosted by London Councils.

There have been big improvements in the performance of London councils in recent years. The majority of London's councils are either improving well or improving strongly, while London has only one 1-star rated council.

Yet even the best performing councils have weaker areas. Where Capital Ambition is different from recent central government-driven improvement initiatives is that it helps all authorities – even the best – improve further and faster.

Its unique starting point is a recognition that any under-performing service, anywhere in the capital, lets down London local government as a whole.

Capital Ambition enables authorities to offer support and advice to each other, driving up the quality of performance and services. Packages of bought-in or seconded assistance have already been organised for weaker councils, and in other cases where particular services need strengthening.

Since the partnership is managed by London local government rather than any outside agency, Capital Ambition's emphasis is on mutual support through peer review and intervention. Where intervention is necessary, it will be offered by a neighbouring borough of council of similar political persuasion.

Capital Ambition's 'performance office' has commissioned analysis on the performance of London's services, providing independent commentary on how they are improving. For more information on the performance office, please visit the 'London's Performance' pages of the website.

For further information please contact suzanne.rose@londoncouncils.gov.uk on 020 7934 9968.