New boss named for Old Oak and Park Royal

A new chief executive has been appointed to run the Mayor of London’s Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).

Matthew Carpen will take over as CEO later this year and will be in charge of delivering the new neighbourhood and community around the upcoming HS2 station at Old Oak Common.

In its first phase, of a 25 year plan, the project is set to develop 9,000 homes and create 11,000 jobs.

He joins from Barking Riverside Limited, where he’s currently managing director of the project – a joint venture between the Mayor of London and housing association L&Q – to build 20,000 homes in East London.

Mr Carpen is also a board member at OPDC since 2022 and sits on its development, investment and sustainability committee. He replaces David Lunts who is stepping down after six years in the role.

He said: “It has been a privilege to have led Barking Riverside for the past decade and I am hugely excited to be joining OPDC to lead the organisation as it moves into a significant delivery phase. As a board member I have seen first-hand the enormous potential the new HS2 station at Old Oak Common brings to this part of the capital. I look forward to working with chair, Karen Buck, the wider board and the exceptional OPDC team to realise this potential and create a whole new urban district for West London in Old Oak and Park Royal.”

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “Alongside Chair Dame Karen Buck, Matt will lead OPDC to deliver transformational change, with thousands of new homes and jobs already in the pipeline as we work to build a better and more prosperous London for everyone.”

Dame Karen Buck, chair of OPDC, commented on Mr Carpen’s appointment: “The breadth of Matthew’s experience and the leadership and vision he has brought to previous roles in regeneration in London are an excellent match for the important work we must do to create new affordable homes, a dynamic local economy and transformed public realm at Old Oak and Park Royal.”

She added: “Alongside welcoming Matthew, I would like to pay tribute to outgoing CEO David Lunts for the extraordinary contribution he has made to London’s development over the past 20 years, both at OPDC and before this at the GLA. I am confident that through a seamless transition between David and Matthew we are equipped to make strong progress to achieve our goals.”