Former HS2 director to head Westminster restoration

The shadow sponsor body was established in 2018 to set the scope, budget and timescale of the Restoration and Renewal Programme, and oversee a Delivery Authority with the technical expertise to commission and execute the work.

Johnson will head up the executive team which, together with a sponsor board, will oversee the works.

The news came after Parliament this week passed The Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019 which sets out in law how the work will be carried out under this two-tier governance system. The legislation provides for a six-month transition period, with the governing bodies being set up in the spring of 2020.

Sarah Johnson: “Working on the Restoration and Renewal Programme is a huge honour for me, as it offers the opportunity to help protect one of the most iconic and best-known buildings in the world.

“The sponsor body’s task is immense – to transform the Palace of Westminster into a home fit for the future for our Parliament. I’m looking forward to getting down to business and am excited by the challenges ahead.”