Currently TfL head of group media, he will become director of comms at DfID next August. Mylrea, the former head of media at Oxfam, will take over from Joy Hutcheon, who announced her exit to a non-comms role at DfID three months ago (PRWeek, 21 September).
Reporting to director- general for corporate performance Sue Owen, Mylrea will be responsible for around 80 staff.
‘There is a duty to help the rest of the world, but it also makes sense to help people build their lives so that their countries can grow economically,' he told PRWeek.
DfID's comms team has been streamlined under Hutcheon, with research and evaluation siphoned off to other departments. However, the move is designed to put greater emphasis on comms, said Hutcheon.
DfID is the government department charged with tackling world poverty, but it is better known for its humanitarian work during crises. It is benefiting from a significant increase in budget as it strives to meet its target of providing 0.7 per cent of the UK's GDP in overseas aid by 2013. It is also responsible for promoting sustainable development.
Mylrea has spent one- and-a-half years at TfL, during which time he dealt with the 7/7 London bombings in 2005. ‘I will be sad to leave TfL, they have been challenging times but I have had a great team to work with,' he said.
He leaves behind one of the most high-profile public sector media roles in the capital. TfL plans to recruit for his replacement.
