Suki Kalirai Confirmed as the New Chair at London Legacy Development Corporation!

Suki, what brought you to this role at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park?

Everyone remembers the six phenomenal weeks of sport in 2012 which put London and the UK firmly in the world’s spotlight. I came as a fan but had previously helped the bid process access funders when I was Chair of the Marketing Society Awards Dinner and Conference. The sport in 2012 was just incredible, I knew then that success would be judged years down the line because the bid was won on legacy. To be part of that project now was an opportunity I could not pass up. So much has been achieved and it provides a springboard to take this legacy in east London to the next stage and drive further the benefits for local people, businesses and commercial partners.

What makes ?Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park so special?

Much is obvious, the quality of the venues and the environment and the fact that unlike many former Games venues this is a vibrant and popular part of the city. When you dig a little deeper you truly see what the offer is. We have young people who are getting opportunities to start their careers with emerging base of on Park partners from ABBA Voyage to the Sadler's Wells East theatre (opening early next year) for culture; from major athletics, football and world-class music events at London Stadium ; more sport – swimming – the Park has one million visits a year to London Aquatics Centre, you will not find a better swimming pool anywhere, with the cost the same as local leisure centres. On our 560-acre site we have big names in the creative industries, world class venues, museums and seven university hubs, all with a talented workforce collaborating. SHIFT, the catalyst for innovation created here on the Park is a great example of that collaboration.

We have companies large and small driving not just the local economy but the UK one too. I am looking forward to encouraging and seeing all of this continue to evolve and flourish as the Park becomes home to thousands more people over the coming years.

What is your priority and where would you like to see things in the long-term?

I will be recruiting some new members to the Board and it is also vital that we continue to have positive relationships with key stakeholders, such as the local boroughs who have been on this journey from when the bid was being prepared more than 20 years ago.

I naturally want to see everything happen as soon as possible but also recognise that we need do this the right way. We have already seen global names such as 福特 Innovation, 英国伦敦艺术大学 and 英国伦敦大学学院 make a home on the Park. There is room for many more and also incredible opportunities for commercial partners to see a genuine return on their investment, not only financially but also unique ESG opportunities. Many will know of the success of Westfield Stratford City and Lendlease 's new office and residential quarter at Stratford Cross. Add to the mix, the tech hub at HERE EAST where more than 6,500 people work and learn and you have the ingredients for an explosion of ideas, opportunities and growth. I want to see partners building on the excellent programmes established here like Build East, the Good Growth Hub and East Summer School. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has backed London’s legacy as have governments from all political sides since before the bid was won in 2005. I want to repay that investment by showing all potential investors, large and small, that they have much to gain from being involved.