Since taking the role of OPDC’s Interim Chief Executive last year, David has been instrumental in driving the Corporation’s new approach for regeneration at Old Oak and Park Royal.

Currently Executive Director of Housing & Land for the Greater London Authority (GLA), David has spearheaded housing policy and delivery in national, regional and local government for over 20 years. He established and then led the GLA’s housing and land function, devolved to the Mayor of London in 2012. Since 2016, this team has delivered a record numbers of affordable homes for London every year. David has also overseen the Mayor’s London Housing Strategy, progressing major schemes at the Royal Docks, Barking Riverside and Greenwich Peninsula.

David’s permanent appointment to lead the Corporation comes at a crucial moment, with HS2’s Old Oak Common Station construction underway and OPDC’s overarching planning framework in its final stages of development. It provides the foundation for OPDC’s plans to drive the delivery of tens of thousands of affordable homes and jobs in one of London’s most important regeneration opportunities.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London said:

“David has a formidable track record and I have great confidence that as OPDC’s permanent Chief Executive he will help bring to life one of the capital’s most important regeneration opportunities.

“I’d also like to thank David for his years of service as Executive Director for Housing and Land at the GLA. David leaves a legacy that will continue to influence London’s house building for years to come.”

David Lunts, Chief Executive of OPDC said:

“I am hugely excited by the massive regeneration prospects for Old Oak and Park Royal over the next few years. With over a billion pounds of investment in the High Speed Two interchange station, Old Oak Common is set to become the heart of the best-connected place in west London with tremendous scope to bring new homes, jobs and leisure for local people and newcomers alike.

“Although I am sad to be leaving my brilliant housing and land colleagues at the GLA, I’ve been really impressed with the passion and skills at OPDC, and am looking forward to working with them, and the Mayor, to deliver this extraordinary regeneration opportunity”

Liz Peace CBE, Chair of OPDC said:

“David has considerable experience in delivering major regeneration on some of the most challenging of sites in London, so we couldn’t be happier to announce the news of his permanent appointment. He’s been key in forging the relationships with Government, our local London Boroughs and other stakeholders that are necessary to deliver our ambitions. Now, in this critical and exciting time for OPDC, he’s unquestionably the right person to lead the organisation, continue the substantial progress made and see the next phase of our plans through to success.”

Notes to editors

David will continue to support Housing & Land one day a week until 31 December, after which he will move over to OPDC permanently and on a fulltime basis.

The GLA’s Interim Deputy Director for Housing and Land, Rickardo Hyatt has been covering the housing and land portfolio and will continue to do so until a permanent appointment is made.

OPDC is one of two Mayoral Development Corporations (MDC) in London – the other being the London Legacy Development Corporation in Stratford, east London.

As an MDC, OPDC is a statutory agency, with planning and compulsory land acquisition powers, across its 650-hectare boundary, and is tasked with driving forward regeneration for the area which includes sites in the three boroughs of Brent, Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham.