Security

Met appoints Hardev Virdee as Chief Strategy and Investment Officer

Posted 21 May 2026

The Met has announced the appointment of Hardev Virdee as its new Chief Strategy and Investment Officer, playing a pivotal role in shaping the Met’s future, leading its long-term strategy, investment and commercial functions.

Image by Alex Segre / copyright Shutterstock

As a trusted senior ambassador to government, funders and key partners, he will drive our long term strategic planning including bringing a clear focus on prioritising our resources and investments to enable our people and organisation to continue to keep Londoners safe.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “I am looking forward to welcoming Hardev to the Met bringing his expertise, energy, and insight to support officers and staff. He was hugely impressive in the selection process and that was not just the opinion of the panel I chaired, but also one of more junior colleagues – something we now routinely do in senior appointments.

“This is a hugely challenging role and he will bring deep experience in strategic leadership, financial stewardship and organisational transformation, which will be critical as we continue to reform and deliver the best service for London against a backdrop of increasing demand and work to close a significant financial gap.”

Hardev said: “I am delighted to be joining the Met at such an important time. Having worked in the NHS for many years, I am excited to continue my commitment to public service.

“This is a challenging role, and I look forward to working closely with colleagues and partners to deliver the Met’s vision and bolster investments and resource to support the Met’s frontline policing.”

Hardev will be joining the Met from Barts NHS Trust. There he played an instrumental role in putting Barts’ finances on a sustainable footing for the long-term, including steadily reducing their deficit and delivering a financial recovery plan that balanced the books in 2025/6.

Beyond his role at Barts, Hardev is a previous winner of the NHS Director of Finance of the Year award which recognised his professional contribution as Chair of the NHS National Finance Academy. He is also currently the Vice President of CIPFA - a professional international accountancy body - and will be taking up Presidency in the summer.