David Lunts is to leave the Greater London Authority after nearly eight years to take on a permanent role of chief executive for the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation.
He has been interim chief executive for the OPDC since last March, combining his work on the £26bn west London regeneration with his duties as executive director of housing and land for the GLA.
Lunts initially joined the GLA in 2005 as executive director for policy and partnerships. He spent three years at the Homes and Communities Agency between 2008 and 2011, before rejoining the GLA in 2012.
He established the housing and land function, devolved to the mayor of London. This included overseeing the mayor’s London housing strategy and a department of more than 160 employees, progressing major schemes at the Royal Docks, Barking Riverside and Greenwich Peninsula.
He will continue his work with the GLA, one day a week, until the end of the year. His role will be covered by Rickardo Hyatt, interim deputy director for housing and land, until a permanent appointment is made.
As chief executive for the OPDC, Lunts will drive forward a new Western Lands masterplan and a fresh bid for funding. The framework is in its final stages of development and will see the OPDC seek to redevelop swathes of public land with a plan to meet the 25,500 overall homes target, and 13,670 within 10 years.
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.”
Lunts said: “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.”
Liz Peace CBE, chair of the OPDC, added: “He has 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 is unquestionably the right person to lead the organisation, continue the substantial progress made and see the next phase of our plans through to success.”
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