Sir Peter Hendy nominated as new chair of the London Legacy Development Corporation

The chair of Network Rail, Sir Peter Hendy CBE, has been named as the prospective new chair of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) by city mayor Sadiq Khan.

The appointment is subject to a confirmation hearing before the London Assembly.  

A former transport commissioner for London, Sir Peter has more than four decades’ experience in the transport and infrastructure sectors in the capital. He will retain his position at Network Rail, while working at the LLDC for two days a week.

Among the tasks awaiting the new LLDC chair are the continued development of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and delivering new neighbourhoods in East London to meet the Mayor’s strategic aim of 50 per cent affordable homes.

One of Sir Peter’s first priorities will be to assist LLDC in responding to the recommendations of the Mayor’s investigation into the finances of the London Stadium, expected later this year.

Announcing the nomination, Sadiq Khan said: “Sir Peter will bring unrivalled knowledge and experience to the role and I look forward to working closely with him to make the most of this opportunity to establish the Park as a world-class sporting and visitor attraction, as well as delivering jobs, growth and new communities fit for Londoners.”

Sir Peter Hendy himself said: “Having kept London’s transport networks moving during the course of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I am delighted to now have the opportunity help secure the continuing legacy of the Park, creating a new area of the city bringing economic growth, thousands of  jobs and new homes.”

The LLDC was established by the previous Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to build on the success of the 2012 Olympic Games and drive regeneration in East London. It has full planning powers and works with the four neighbouring boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

Sir Peter will be tasked with overseeing the continued growth of the park and its venues, which have seen more than 15 million visitors since they re-opened, and with developing new housing, as well as embedding a new cultural and education district in the park.

If Sir Peter is confirmed by the London Assembly, he will take over from Philip Lewis, the deputy chair of LLDC, who has been acting chair since the resignation of David Edmonds in November 2016.