New COOs appointed by the GPA
Erin Robinson and Helen Mills have both joined the agency, where they will lead its corporate services and operational delivery
The Government Property Agency (GPA) has today (Monday, November 2) appointed a duo of highly experienced leaders as its joint Chief Operating Officers (COOs).
Erin Robinson and Helen Mills will establish a co-leadership model at the GPA, under a job-share arrangement, to lead the agency’s corporate services and operational delivery.
The pair established the success of this working model at the former Department for Science, Innovation and Trade (DSIT) where they previously worked together as People and Transformation Directors.
Mark Bourgeois, the GPA’s CEO, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Erin and Helen to the GPA. Their arrival to the agency highlights our attempts to embrace co-leadership models while championing modern, flexible and inclusive ways of working across the Civil Service. Working alongside our executive committee, they will focus on empowering our people, driving operational excellence, and supporting delivery on a smaller, better and greener government office estate.”
Operating as a single, unified executive office, the COOs will share full accountability, offering the GPA resilient leadership, complementary expertise and continuous strategic oversight.
In a joint statement, the new COOs said:
“We are delighted to be joining GPA and taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer at this pivotal time for the organisation and for the Civil Service. Having worked in partnership with the GPA for many years as customers and clients, we are excited to build on that experience to support in delivering great places to work for civil servants.
“We look forward to working with colleagues, government partners, and suppliers to drive forward GPA’s objectives and to share best practice in delivering a shared delivery model across government.”
Erin previously held leadership posts at the Cabinet Office and HMRC, as well as the Government Digital Service where she worked as a COO. During her time at DSIT, now part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Erin led a programme that ensures the department has the right skills, capability, structure and systems to deliver its purpose and objectives.
Helen has spent the majority of her career working in HR, operational and programme management roles. Prior to joining DSIT, she held director-level positions at numerous government departments, including the Department for Exiting the European Union where she directed its corporate centre. She has also worked for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Cabinet Office and HMRC.