In honour of our dear friend and colleague Keith Hearn
Obituary: Keith Hearn 1956-2015
Keith started his career at Epping Forest District Council before moving to the London Borough of Hackney, where he worked as a planner in the South Team from 1982-1989. During his time there, he steered through a resolution to grant consent for the 1.8m sq ft redevelopment of Bishopsgate Goods Yard.
Keith’s next role was as a development planner at the London Docklands Development Corporation where he worked from 1989-1997. He was responsible for the Isle of Dogs area, including Canary Wharf and West India Quay.
He played an integral role in the transformation of this area during the 1990s. He was responsible for seeing through the West India Quay Grade 1 Listed warehouse conversion, hotel and residential block, the adjoining Cinema complex and car park, plus the original scheme for North Quay, Canary Riverside by Koetter Kim, the Museum of Docklands, Poplar Dock housing for Bellway, as well as dealing with Canary Wharf Station.
Keith was closely involved in the preparation, and subsequent consultation of the Development Framework for the Isle of Dogs in 1992 providing planning guidance following the end of the Enterprise Zone regime.
Keith joined CBRE (formerly CB Hiller Parker) on 5 January 1998, where he was recruited to head the London Planning team.
Keith was one of the leading experts in his field and advised on numerous major developments across Greater London during his time at CBRE. He specialised in and was particularly renowned for his role on major development projects in Westminster.
Keith was a trusted advisor to a number of key CBRE clients, in particular The Crown Estate. He played a pivotal role in the delivery of The Crown Estate’s ongoing ￡1 billion investment programme to renew and redevelop Regent Street. The Apple Store, Café Royal Hotel and Air W1 (former Regent Palace Hotel) are just a few examples of notable success stories he was involved with on the street.
More recently, and on the back of this success, Keith was asked to be involved with The Crown Estate’s ￡500m development programme to enhance and refine St James’. Key projects and notable successes to date have included the St James’s Gateway scheme on Piccadilly and the St James’s Market development, which is under construction and will transform Haymarket and Regent Street St James’s.
Other notable sites and projects Keith advised on included the Haymarket Hotel and Ham Yard Hotel for Firmdale, Paddington Central for British Land and the Clearings site in Chelsea for John Lewis.
Keith’s professional legacy will endure through the numerous major developments he helped deliver, in particular those which have transformed the West End. He also represented CBRE on the board of the Westminster Property Association, which itself demonstrated his influence on wide ranging and complex planning issues far beyond his CBRE clients.
Keith will be remembered as one of the most influential planners of his generation whose calm authority and personable approach touched all those who worked with him.
Keith was educated at Prices Grammar School in Fareham and at Oxford Brookes University where he obtained an Honours Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.
Keith, who died on 7th June 2015, is survived by his wife Debbie. They enjoyed nearly 30 years of marriage mainly in Kingston upon Thames. They have two sons Zander 17 and Tom 20.
Stuart Robinson, executive director & chairman of planning, CBRE
Global Traveller | Economically inactive
7 年It is hard to believe that almost 2 years have passed since Keith's untimely departure. He is rarely from my mind; even now. Wholly professional and a thoroughly nice person, I hope as I move forwards with my own team, that the values, drive and vision that he displayed day to day can be replicated; at least in part. I shall always remember his advice; work with people you like, for the best clients, on the best projects and never waiver in being true to yourself, to your family, to your clients and to your colleagues. Keith died a few months after my own father. On this, Fathers Day, I find myself thinking about them both. They were both strong family men and both influenced me albeit in different ways.
MND NonExec director, Co-op Group; Trustee, Radcliffe Trust, IOD Commissioner; Ex-Chair, Shakespeare's Globe; Former Chancellor, Coventry University; Ex Chair ActionAid UK
8 年It was always a pleasure working with Keith who was quiet and gentlemanly. He will be remembered very fondly by so many in the planning world.
Eidyia Ltd. Director | Coach, ICF PCC | Coach Mentor | Facilitator | Consultant | Writer
9 年Oh no what sad news. He was such a lovely man. I really enjoyed working with him.
Head of HR at Azerion UK
9 年Very sad to hear this news. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Keith during my time at CBRE.