Mayoral development company appoints ex-Homes England project director as development lead

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) has appointed Marianne Brook as its new development director. 

Brook joins the Mayor of London’s development company from Deloitte, where for three years she was seconded to Homes England, leading on significant investment and land ownership agreements including OPDC’s Old Oak scheme, Bristol Temple Quarter and Brent Cross South. 

She spent more than 11 years at Delotte and another five at BNP Paribas Real Estate, delivering complex housing and development projects for major clients including Berkeley Homes, TfL, National Grid Property and the NHS. 

Her appointment comes as part of a move to expand the development company’s delivery capabilities, building on several years of growth following the adoption of its local plan and a £240m capital funding award. 

It follows the recent appointment of Gareth Blacker as OPDC’s executive director of delivery. 

The corporation has a long-term target to create 25,000 new homes and bring forward 70 acres of development at Old Oak, adjacent to the new Old Oak Common HS2 station. 

“Marianne brings a wealth of talent and experience to OPDC,” said Blacker. 

“Her knowledge of delivering complex and large-scale development projects will spearhead OPDC in its mission to realise the Mayor of London’s vision for Old Oak.  

“With an experienced and diverse team in place, we are on track to deliver one of the UK’s most significant regeneration projects.” 

Brook herself said she was “thrilled” to join OPDC at an “exciting and pivotal time”. 

“As plans ramp up for Old Oak West, the capital’s next major development opportunity, I’m honoured to be part of the leadership team overseeing this hugely important regeneration scheme,” she said.  

“I look forward immersing myself in the project and driving forward the delivery of many thousands of homes and jobs, creating a new destination for London.”