OPDC leader David Lunts steps down

The Mayor of London’s development corporation for Old Oak and Park Royal (OPDC) has announced that their chief executive, David Lunts, will step down next year, following five years leading the corporation.

Under his leadership, OPDC has overseen thousands of affordable new homes, established a 20-year Local Plan, secured £240m in public sector funding, acquired strategic sites across Old Oak and secured agreement to unlock 70 acres of brownfield development land around the new HS2 Old Oak Common station.

Since 2019, David has led OPDC in working closely with residents, boroughs, government and rail agencies to produce a new Old Oak masterplan to create a super-connected canal side district. Plans include 9,000 new and affordable homes with tens of thousands of jobs, new amenities, parks and plazas in a new and revitalised neighbourhood for West London.

With the land and planning foundations for the transformation of Old Oak now firmly in place, and with Dame Karen Buck’s recent appointment as the new OPDC Board chair, the corporation will be seeking a new CEO to lead next year’s procurement exercise to secure its delivery and investment partners.

Recruitment for a new chief executive is now underway, and David will remain in post until the new chief executive is appointed. Anyone interested in applying for the role should contact Miles Advisory via gemma.robertson@miles-advisory.com.

David has played a key role in housing policy and delivery in national, regional, and local government for over 30 years and has been responsible for transformative change across multiple organisations including the GLA and the Homes and Communities Agency.

David currently sits on the board of the York based Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust and is also vice chair of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Under David’s leadership, OPDC is transforming this area of London, with ambitious plans that will deliver thousands of homes and tens of thousands of jobs.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said;

“I want to thank David for his hard work over the last five years, which has made a vital and lasting contribution to the creation of this exciting new neighbourhood in West London, as we work to build a better and more prosperous city for all.

“After five amazing years at OPDC, now is the right time to make way for new leadership as our plans shift towards the appointment of our strategic delivery partners. It has been a privilege to work with such a talented and passionate team who, together with our partners, boroughs, residents and businesses, have put in place the foundations for exciting and lasting change in this incredible part of west London.”

David Lunts said;

“I’m delighted that Dame Karen Buck is joining us as the new chair of OPDC’s Board, and she will be leading the recruitment of my successor who will have the privilege of spearheading the delivery of our vision for Old Oak and Park Royal.”

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