Labour London Assembly member for Ealing & Hillingdon, Bassam Mahfouz, has been appointed chair of the London Assembly’s Economy, Culture and Skills Committee.
Mr Mahfouz has also been appointed deputy chair of the GLA Oversight Committee as part of a reshuffle of committee roles at the London Assembly.
The appointments were confirmed on Monday (11 May 2026), when Assembly members elected new committee chairs and deputy chairs for the year ahead.
The Economy, Culture and Skills Committee scrutinises issues including economic development, skills, culture, sport and tourism across the capital.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Mr Mahfouz, said: “I am incredibly proud to be chairing the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee for the forthcoming Assembly year.
“Having chaired the GLA Oversight Committee last year and led an impactful report on the future of London’s governance and review of the operation of the London Assembly, I’m looking forward to tackling the big issues facing Londoners over the coming year as chair of the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee.
“The Economy, Culture and Skills Committee investigates matters relating to economic development, culture, skills, sport and tourism in London, and we’ll be focusing on the policies that shape London’s future, with a particular emphasis on jobs, skills and supporting young people as they take their first steps into the world of work.”
Mr Mahfouz added: “I also take great pride in being deputy chair of the GLA Oversight Committee. In the coming weeks, the Committee will publish its report into Assembly ways of working and how we can improve its impact.
“Leading Committees on the London Assembly is a huge honour, and I am determined to ensure we will carry out effective, cross-party scrutiny on the issues that matter most to Londoners.”
Under the new committee roles, Green Party Assembly member Zack Polanski AM was appointed deputy chair of the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee, while Conservative Assembly member Emma Best AM was appointed chair of the GLA Oversight Committee.
The wider reshuffle also saw Andrew Boff AM elected chairman of the London Assembly, with Lord Duvall of Woolwich OBE AM elected deputy chair.
