FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
John Duckworth has been appointed as the new Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of the Government Property Agency (GPA).
Duckworth brings to the organisation extensive experience in strategic and operational leadership across the real estate industry. Prior to joining the GPA, he was Executive Director at The Instant Group, specialising in rethinking workspace to enable agility and operational resilience for businesses of all sizes. Before that he held senior roles at commercial real estate and property investment specialists JLL.
Mark Bourgeois, the GPA’s CEO, said of the appointment: “I am thrilled to confirm John as the new GPA CIO. These are both challenging and exciting times, and in making this appointment we were looking for someone to have an immediate impact, who could work across the broad range of stakeholders, to evolve the system of strategic delivery for government and to support our department partners.
“John’s experience will be an asset to the agency and more widely to the Government Property Profession as we continue to deliver the vision for a smaller, better, greener government office estate.”
Since launching in 2018, the GPA has grown to manage over one million sq m of the government’s office portfolio – acting as an expert partner to departments for strategic planning and workplace services including design, property technology and workplace experience.
The agency is also responsible for the Government Hubs Programme – supporting economic growth across the UK through the redevelopment of brownfield sites or repurposing existing buildings to create efficient, sustainable and productive workplaces.
Duckworth said:“I am delighted to be appointed as the CIO at such a pivotal time for the GPA as it steps up to deliver some critical projects which will both enhance government capability and delivery nationally, as well as catalysing economic growth in the regions.
“The GPA is a great organisation with a clear mission focused on creating a smaller, better, greener office estate which aspires to deliver change for the benefit of many. This, together with the prospect of working alongside a line-up of impressively talented people, is why I have joined the agency.
“I very much look forward to engaging with colleagues, partners, suppliers and the market as we look to transform government workspaces for the better.”
FMJ and Watco Webinar: Meeting compliance in a new culture of accountability
From January 2026, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) formally separated from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Created under the Building Safety Act 2022 in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the BSR is designed to raise safety standards across the built environment and introduce a stronger culture of accountability, transparency, and proactive risk management.
This shift places facilities managers in a more strategic safety assurance role – far beyond routine maintenance.
FMJ and Watco are hosting a webinar on 22 April at 11:00am to explore what this new regulatory landscape means for FMs. To register for the webinar click here.
Can’t make it no problem…
Simply register above and after the webinar has been broadcast, we will send you a link to watch the recording.
