Former Labour MP Dame Karen Buck, is set to be appointed as the new chair of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan announced that Dame Karen will officially start her new role on 1 January 2025, subject to a London Assembly confirmation hearing.
Dame Karen represented Westminster North, previously Regent’s Park and Kensington North from 1997 to 2024 and replaces Liz Peace who stepped down after two terms as chair.
Earlier this month, Dame Karen was also announced as chair of Generation Rent, an organisation that advocates for private renters.
In a statement, announcing her new appointment, OPDC said of the role: “As Chair of OPDC, she will be responsible for spearheading the delivery of tens of thousands of affordable homes and jobs in the capital’s largest brownfield development site.”
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I am delighted to announce my intention to appoint Dame Karen Buck as the new Chair of OPDC. She brings a wealth of experience, expertise and knowledge that will strengthen its ambitious regeneration plans for the capital.”
Mr Khan added: “Under Dame Karen’s leadership, OPDC will continue to progress plans to deliver transformational change for West London, with thousands of new homes and jobs in the pipeline. I look forward to working with Dame Karen to build a better and more prosperous city for all.”
Dame Karen Buck said of her new role: “This is such an exciting development with so much potential. I am hugely looking forward to working with the Board and team at OPDC as it moves into the next phase of delivering the homes and jobs London needs.”
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