Bill LoSasso

The City of London Corporation has appointed a new Assistant Director and Superintendent, Bill LoSasso, to oversee its North London open spaces – including Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Queen’s Park, and West Ham Park.

An experienced public sector leader, he most recently worked at Crystal Palace Park Trust serving as its inaugural Chief Executive, securing the park’s transfer to the charity.

Bill was previously at New York City Department of Parks & Recreation where he was Director of NYC’s ground-breaking GreenThumb programme – the largest urban gardening programme in the USA, sustaining over 550 community gardens and supporting thousands of volunteer gardeners throughout New York City.

With a doctorate in law and a bachelor's degree in environmental biology, as well as a master's degree in city and regional planning, Bill brings high quality expertise and practical experience in the fields of planning, policy, operations, and volunteer management.

He will start with the City Corporation on Monday 04 September and the current Superintendent, Stefania Horne, will be in post until 15 September to enable a comprehensive handover.  Jonathan Meares, the Head of Conservation, will step up to lead property operations during Bill’s induction period.

Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Queen’s Park, and West Ham Park form a key part of the network of open spaces owned, funded, and managed by the City Corporation as registered charities.  

Chair of the City Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, William Upton KC, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Bill to head up our work maintaining these outstanding open spaces, which are well loved and enjoyed by people across the capital.

“Enjoying an international reputation, they play an essential role in the health and wellbeing of our local communities and Londoners alike. With Bill’s expertise and broad practical experience, we can look forward to continued success in the years ahead.

“I would also like to say a big ‘thank you’ to Stefania Horne, who has achieved a huge amount with us, and is highly thought of by staff, Members, volunteers, and partners. We will miss her energy, enthusiasm, and ability to get things done, but are pleased that she’s moving on to a more senior role and we wish her every success for the future.”

The City Corporation’s incoming Assistant Director of North London Open Spaces, Bill LoSasso, said:

"It's an honour to join the City Corporation overseeing it’s iconic North London open spaces, including Hampstead Heath. These green and cherished oases play a crucial role in creating a more resilient and sustainable capital city. 

“I am looking forward to joining the talented team that cares for these iconic spaces and I am eager to work with the many partners who are committed to their preservation." 

 The City Corporation protects over 11,000 acres of open space in London and southeast England – including Burnham Beeches, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, and over 180 sites in the Square Mile – investing over £38m a year.

 The City Corporation’s open spaces, most of which are charitable trusts, are run at little or no cost to the communities that they serve. They include important wildlife habitats, Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and National Nature Reserves.

 They remove around 16,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere a year, equivalent to 44% of the City Corporation’s annual carbon footprint.

 They are protected from being built on by special legislation.

 ENDS