Former London deputy mayor and assembly member for Enfield and Haringey, Nicky Gavron, has died aged 82

Nicky Gavron (credit Allen Simon via Wikimedia Commons)

One of North London’s “greatest unsung heroes” and the capital’s first deputy mayor has died peacefully at her Highgate home at the age of 82.

Nicky Gavron, recognised internationally for her work on urban planning and climate change, was known for her “trailblazing initiatives” which included establishing the global mayors’ network, C40 Cities, and setting up the London Climate Change Agency.

She served as the London Assembly member representing Enfield and Haringey between 2000 and 2004 and, in two terms as London’s deputy mayor, Gavron developed the capital’s first overarching London Plan, tying all Greater London Authority strategies together into an integrated social, economic and environmental framework. She would later play a key role in revamping a series of metro rail lines as ‘London Overground’ for Transport for London.

Gavron also established the GLA’s children and young people’s unit, developed an arts and cultural plan for London, and provided then-mayor Ken Livingstone with the GLA’s vision for the capital – that London would strive to be “an exemplary, sustainable world city, economically, socially and environmentally”.

In Haringey specifically, Gavron was a co-founder of Jacksons Lane Arts Centre and also served as a councillor representing Archway from 1986.

Her particular skill lay in bringing together disparate interests and organisations to focus on issues rather than on sectoral or political concerns – a skill she applied at all levels of government.

Tributes have poured in from the many organisations and individuals with which Gavron collaborated and from across the political spectrum.

“Her service to our city was immeasurable, as a councillor, deputy mayor and assembly member,” said London mayor Sadiq Khan. “To me, she was not just a kind and generous friend, but also a teacher and a mentor. Her commitment to tackling climate change inspired many, and she pioneered many of the policies that have led London to be the world leader it is today.

“She will be missed terribly.”

Tottenham MP and Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “A stalwart of London and Haringey politics, she was a life force at City Hall. Passionate about the climate emergency, the built environment and urban planning, she improved the lives of so many people.”

Southgate and Wood Green MP Bambos Charalambous said: “Very sad to hear about the passing of Nicky Gavron. She was a wonderful person and an excellent assembly member for Enfield and Haringey.

“Smart, effective, incredibly knowledgable about planning and sustainable housing, she had a real vision for London and got things done.”

Andrew Boff, Conservative chair of the London Assembly, said: “Nicky was strong enough to fight for what she believed in and brave enough to change her mind when the evidence demanded it. A huge loss to London. I will miss her greatly.”

Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP Catherine West said: “She was such a force in Haringey and London, leading the way on climate policy, passionate about the arts and committed to social justice.”

Haringey Council leader Peray Ahmet added: “As well as her huge contribution to Haringey and London politics, she was one of the most decent and wonderful women I’ve met in politics. Always on hand to give encouragement and guidance.”

Born in Worcester in 1941 and raised by a German-Jewish mother who had fled Nazi Berlin as a teenager, it was poignant for Gavron to visit Berlin some 60 years later as deputy mayor of London. As a child, she played in a wilderness area behind her home, which inspired the causes she championed: sustainability, rewilding and play space for children.

Gavron had moved to London in the 1960s to study history of art and architecture at the Courtauld Institute under Anthony Blunt, and then worked as a teacher. Her half-century of activism started in the 1970s with the co-founding of the now-famous Jacksons Lane and campaigning against the widening of the Archway Road in North London.

“It was the Archway Road that made me a politician,” she once said.

Nicky Gavron is survived by her daughters Sarah and Jessica, stepson Jeremy, godson Cato, ten grandchildren, and was predeceased by her stepson Simon.

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