Bexley council has appointed Huw Lewis as managing director of BexleyCo, the development company created last year by the London borough with the ambition of building more than 2,500 homes in 12 years.
Lewis is currently managing director of the Urban Growth Company, the special purpose delivery vehicle established by Solihull council in 2016 to co-ordinate interest surrounding the new HS2 station in Solihull.
He will work alongside Richard Blakeway, who was appointed as BexleyCo’s first chairman in October last year.
BexleyCo’s 12-year business plan states the company plans to invest £630m to help the borough grow sustainably and achieve a 7% return to the council on top of its wider social and economic contributions.
Its initial plans include developing more than 2,500 quality homes, alongside other community facilities.
“We are delighted to welcome someone with Huw’s experience to this important post because BexleyCo will play a key role in delivering our vision for growth,” said Councillor Teresa O’Neill, the leader of Bexley council. “BexleyCo will deliver schemes of which the borough can be proud and be a strong partner to attract significant investment into the borough in the years ahead.”
Richard Blakeway added: “I am delighted to have found someone of Huw’s considerable experience to join BexleyCo. Huw has a formidable track record delivering regeneration in the West Midlands, notably the proposed HS2 hub at Solihull, which coupled with his commercial background will add real impetus to the company’s ambitious plans.”
Lewis has more than 27 years’ experience in the industry, with previous roles at the City of London Corporation, Shanks UK, Balfour Beatty and United Cinemas International.
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