The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC)

OPDC Board Chair - Mayor of London appointment

Candidate Briefing Pack

Closing date for applications: 17th January 2017

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December 2016
Dear Applicant
Old Oak and Park Royal (OPDC) Chair
Thank you for your interest in the role of Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation
Chair.
Old Oak and Park Royal is one of the most important regeneration projects in London. The
Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) was established to secure the
maximum benefits from the newly planned transport interchanges of High Speed 2, Crossrail
and London Overground stations, to deliver the much-needed homes and jobs in what will
be one of the largest regeneration projects London has seen for decades.
The OPDC Board is responsible for promoting and delivering physical, social, economic and
environmental regeneration at Old Oak and Park Royal, through high-quality sustainable
development and investment for the benefit of the area and the communities that surround
it. It will plan for significant future growth at Old Oak; and for the protection and
regeneration of the industrial areas of Park Royal.
Following a review of the OPDC, which reported in Autumn 2016, the Mayor of London is
now looking to appoint a new Chair to ensure that the Development Corporation delivers
the best deal for Londoners.
This briefing pack contains details about the application process, background information on
the organisation and the role and responsibilities of the OPDC Chair.
The closing date for applications is 17th January 2017. Interviews will take place on 10th
February 2017.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact Andrea Trainer
at Green Park.
We look forward to receiving your application.

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Yours faithfully
Recruitment Team
The Greater London Authority

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1. Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC)

Background
OPDC was established in April 2015 to oversee development for the wider Old Oak and Park
Royal area and has full planning powers within its 650 hectare boundary that includes land in
the boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Ealing and Brent.
The purpose of the OPDC is to promote and deliver physical, social, economic and
environmental regeneration at Old Oak and Park Royal, including securing maximum
benefits from the newly planned transport interchanges of High Speed 2, Crossrail and
London Overground stations. The Corporation will plan for significant future growth at Old
Oak and for the protection and regeneration of the industrial areas of Park Royal. A central
objective of the Corporation is to secure high-quality sustainable development and
investment for the benefit of the area and the communities that surround it.

Review
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced a formal review of OPDC in June 2016 to
ensure Londoners reap the maximum benefits of the huge regeneration opportunity in this
part of the capital.
The review found that:

A Memorandum of Understanding agreed by former Mayor of London Boris Johnson

and Government that paved the way for OPDC to take ownership from Government of
public land surrounding the proposed new station was hastily entered into and should
have been agreed on more favourable terms.

There is evidence that a greater level of Government funding has been made available
to other areas along the HS2 line. For example, Birmingham will receive significant
Government-led investment for a new Metro station.

The positioning of a Crossrail Depot and maintenance facility in the core development
area and the failures of the previous Mayor either to find a suitable relocation site or to
invest in engineering solutions that allow 'decking' over the facility have meant that
valuable development land has been lost, land values for adjacent sites depressed and
the ability to create an attractive place has been compromised.

A series of recommendations were made, including:

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The Mayor will make a clear case to government that he will only agree to a land deal
that is in the best interests of London. He believes the current offer could restrict the
amount of genuinely affordable housing at Old Oak.

The Mayor should continue to make a strong case to government to provide financial
support and devolve further fiscal powers to London to meet the cost of infrastructure,
which should not be the capitals burden alone.

Discussions should take place with government to determine if there are parcels of land
in the north of Old Oak that can be transferred to the Mayor early and ahead of the
main deal being concluded to speed up development.

A credible longer-term plan must be put in place for bringing forward a new commercial
centre at Old Oak South, and TfL should conduct and present the Mayor with a thorough
options appraisal for repositioning or retrofitting the Crossrail depot.

A new Chair must be appointed to signal the Mayors intent to bring forward
development and that residents and businesses should be involved in the planning
process.

Unnecessary cost and bureaucracy can be avoided by bringing some OPDC functions
within the Mayors proposed new Homes for Londoners organisation.

Priorities for the OPDC

Old Oak is the only place where High Speed 2 meets Crossrail. The connectivity these two
nationally important transport projects provide represents an exceptional opportunity to
deliver the largest regeneration project the UK has seen since the 2012 Games. There is a
real opportunity to deliver an exemplar place for a new community that could redefine the
standards of place-making.
There is significant investment going into Old Oak Common to deliver a new High Speed 2,
Crossrail and Great West Main Line interchange, to transform the wider area into a
sustainable new district, and secure significant benefits in terms of much-needed housing,
jobs, economic and community benefits. Redevelopment of the area has the potential to
deliver 24,000 new homes and 55,000 jobs in Old Oak and 1,500 new homes and 10,000 jobs
in Park Royal. Having a single organisation to drive regeneration of the area gives greater
certainty over planning, decision-making and investment.

Governance the OPDC Board

The OPDC Board sets the strategic direction for the Corporation. It approves the budget
and business plan, and other major and strategic issues, such as the borrowing and
Investment Programmes and Planning Policy. It appoints the members of the Planning
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Committee and any other committees that may be required. In addition, Board Members,
depending on their knowledge, skills and experience, may sit on specific Committees,
undertake public engagements and give advice to the Mayor.
The decision-making framework for the OPDC is agreed by the OPDC Board and documented
in OPDC Standing Orders. The Board currently consists of 15 members, including the Chair of
the board, all appointed by the Mayor of London. Board members have, between them,
experience of regeneration, transport, finance and commerce, education, national and local
government, and the local residential and business communities. The Board aims to be
representative of local BAME groups and SME organisations. Board Members are expected
to spend approximately two to three days per month on their role.

2. Candidate Requirements
Responsibilities of the Chair of the OPDC
The Chair is responsible for leadership of the board and ensuring its effectiveness on all
aspects of its role. The Chair is responsible for achieving the purpose of the Corporation, as
described by the Mayor:
To promote and deliver physical, social, economic and environmental regeneration
at Old Oak and Park Royal, including securing maximum benefits from the newly
planned transport interchanges of High Speed 2, Crossrail, Great West Main Line and
London Overground. The Corporation will plan for significant future growth at Old
Oak; and for the protection and regeneration of the industrial areas of Park Royal. A
central objective of the Corporation will be to secure high-quality sustainable
development and investment for the benefit of the area and the communities that
surround it.
The OPDC faces significant opportunities and challenges as highlighted in the recent OPDC
review, and the Chair will need to focus on taking forward the findings of the review.
In particular, the Chair has the following responsibilities:

Work closely with the Mayor and his team to ensure that the Development
Corporation continues to deliver Mayoral priorities for the area;

Provide strategic leadership on the development of policies and plans to achieve the
objectives of the OPDC;

Provide prudent and effective controls appropriate to a body responsible for the use
of public funds, which ensure that high standards of corporate governance and
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financial management are observed and which enable risk to be assessed and
managed;

Preside over Board meetings and ensure the efficient conduct of Corporation Board
meetings with all board Members contributing to the operation of an effective board;

Ensure the efficient conduct of the boards business as set out in the Standing Orders
and encouraging high standards of propriety and compliance with the code of
conduct;

Ensure that the Chief Executive is managed to meet the objectives of the OPDC;

Ensure greater alignment and effective working with the Greater London Authority
and local boroughs, particularly in relation to sharing services and increasing the
financial and service efficiencies of the organisation;

Ensure the necessary financial and human resources are in place for the Corporation
to achieve its objectives;

Assess the performance of the Board members from time to time;

Represent the OPDC in the media and at key public events including appearing before
the London Assembly as required;

Set the OPDCs values and standards and ensure that its obligations to its
shareholders and others are understood and met.

Person Specification Chair

A strategic leader with the vision to define clear goals and the drive and ability to
translate vision into action, sharing expertise knowledge and skills with other Board
members;

Able to operate in a high profile, publicly accountable environment, with an

understanding and awareness of the political context and dynamics in which the
Board and OPDC operates;

Politically astute, able to work with politicians and readily win the respect and
confidence of senior stakeholders across local, regional and central government;

An understanding of policy in relation to social, economic and physical regeneration

and the creation of a sustainable legacy, able to shape economic growth strategy and
urban place making, catalyse growth and attract inward investment;
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Proven experience of financial management across multi disciplinary functions to

achieve best value for money;

An insight into international business cultures across global regions given the
significant level of international investor interest there is in the Old Oak and Park
Royal opportunity area;

Experience of delivering major projects successfully and delivering outcomes in

challenging and demanding environments;

A strong communicator and public speaker, able to build productive relationships;

A commitment to diversity and equality;

A commitment to public service values and the principles of public life.

3. Appointment details
The Mayor of London will appoint the Chair. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by a
selection panel which will include the Mayors representatives and an independent member;
the panel will make recommendations for appointment to the Mayor of London.
The GLA promotes an equal opportunities policy. Appointments are made on merit,
following a fair and transparent process, and these appointments are governed by Nolan
principles and the Mayor of Londons protocol on appointments. Please view
http://www.london.gov.uk/who-runs-london/greater-london-authority/corporategovernance/how-gla-organised.

Managing Conflicts of interest

Candidates should state any potential for conflicts of interest in their application, and this
will be explored with short-listed candidates at interview. This includes details of business,
financial or other interests or any personal connections, memberships or associations which,
if you are appointed to the OPDC, could be misconstrued or cause embarrassment to the
Mayor of London or the OPDC.

Eligibility
The Mayor is committed to appointing boards that truly reflect the diversity that London has
to offer. Applications are welcomed regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability,
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religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have
dependents.

Time Commitment
The time commitment for this appointment is expected to be approximately 1.25 days per
week, plus additional time as required. This will include attendance at approximately 6
board meetings per year and representing the board as required at meetings, functions and
events as necessary.

Term of Appointment
The Chair is appointed for a term of up to 4 years, at the Mayors discretion.

Remuneration
The remuneration for this role is 25,000 for approximately 1.25 days per week.

4.

How to Apply

Candidates are invited to apply by submitting a CV and cover letter via the GLAs online
recruitment portal. You will be asked to provide the following information
Contact details, eligibility, interview availability
If any OPDC employees are known to you
Recruitment monitoring information
Upload your most recent CV which includes
Employment, public appointments and qualifications history
Names and details of two referees who are willing to provide a reference for
you
Any conflicts of interest you may have or which may arise if you were
appointed
Information regarding any Directorships you hold.
Upload a cover letter which answers the following questions, drawing on your previous
experience where possible. These two documents combined should be no more than 4 sides
in length:
1. What would your unique contribution be in this role, and how would this
contribution be seen in action?
2. How do you meet the role requirements as outlined in the person specification, and
in which do you have substantial skills and experience?
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You should advise if you are able to represent those living and / or working in the Mayoral
development area.
The closing date is 17th January 2017.
All applications submitted will be acknowledged by receipt email.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to apply for this role. All data is processed in
accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act.
If you have a disability which may cause difficulty in completing an online application form or
have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Green Park via email at
XXX@green-park.co.uk or by phone at 020 7399 4300.

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