OPDC Planning Committee

William Hill, Chair (Register of Interest)

William is a Chartered Surveyor and an experienced property investment specialist with nearly 40 years in the industry, including 22 years as Head of Property at Schroders plc, a large global investment management house. He formed his own consultancy company in November 2013 and is also chair of a listed real estate investment trust. His voluntary work includes chair of the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust and a member of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity Investment Committee. He has recently completed a study programme run by the Cambridge University Institute of Sustainable Finance. He became Chair of OPDC's Planning Committee in January 2021.

Gary Rice (Register of Interest)

Gary Rice has led major developments as Head of Development Management for the London Boroughs of Southwark, Lewisham and Havering, including the new Elephant Park regeneration project and One Tower Bridge. His experience spans town planning, urban design, architecture, building control, regeneration and conservation in both the public and private sectors in the UK and internationally.

Steve Quartermain CBE (Register of Interest)

After directing an award-winning local authority planning department, in 2008 Steve was appointed Chief Planner for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). He was the key adviser to successive ministers on all planning matters, including transformational change to the planning system, the National Planning Policy Framework and casework. He stepped down from this role last year but continues to play a prominent role in the sector, nurturing talent, driving innovation and championing diversity. A former President of the Planning Officers Society, he now has a portfolio of activities, offering strategic advice to the charity MOBIE, the Academy of Urbanism, Women in Planning and the University of Kent.

Anna Ogundiya, Head of Development Management at the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) (Register of Interest)

Anne Ogundiya is an experienced town planner, delivering major developments in East London. Now Head of Development Management at LLDC, Anne previously worked for the Olympic Delivery Authority as part of the 2012 Olympic Games and was responsible for securing planning permission for Aquatics Centre and delivering the Velodrome in the Queen Elizabeth Park.

Sarah Coutts, Head of Design & Planning at Barking Riverside (Register of Interest)

Sarah Coutts’ experience spans public and private sector housing investment, regeneration, planning and development. At Barking Riverside, Sarah leads a team of architects and planners from design to planning approval, working on the masterplan and bespoke projects. In her role at the Greater London Authority, Sarah was responsible for the delivery of £44m in investment and over 1,900 homes in Tottenham Hale and £35m in investment and over 3,300 homes in Romford.

Cllr Wesley Harcourt (LB Hammersmith & Fulham) (Register of Interest)

Wesley has over 24 years’ experience as Councillor for College Park and Old Oak ward in Hammersmith and Fulham. He has 22 years’ experience as a member of the borough Planning Committee, serving eight years as Chair. He has an MSc in Natural Environments and Plant Growth.

Wesley is now in his fifth year as Cabinet Member for The Environment, he is also Chair of Governors of his local Primary school, a trustee of Citizens Advice Hammersmith & Fulham.

Cllr Matthew Kelcher (LB Brent) (Register of Interest)

Matt has represented the ward of Kensal Green – part of which is within OPDC's boundary – as an elected Councillor since 2014. In 2020 he was appointed to Chair Brent’s Planning Committee, having previously served as Chair of Scrutiny for five years. In this time he oversaw a radical change in how Brent does Scrutiny, making it more member-led and strategic.

In his professional career, Matt has always sought positions where he can influence change. He was worked as a researcher for the Leader of Islington Council, an advisor to the Shadow Small Business Minister and a lobbyist and behalf of Britain’s charity shops.

He lives in Brent with his wife and two cats and has appeared on three TV gameshows.

Cllr Natalia Perez (LB Hammersmith & Fulham) (Register of Interest)

Natalia was elected as Councillor for the Shepherds Bush Green Ward in Hammersmith & Fulham in 2014. She is Chair of the borough’s Licensing Committee and a member of the Planning and Development Control Committee and the Health, Adult Social Care and Social Inclusion Policy and Accountability Committee.

Cllr Kate Crawford (Register of Interest)

Councillor Kate Crawford is a councillor for East Acton Ward and is a member of Ealing’s Corporate Parent Committee, Licensing Panel, Health and Adult Social Services Panel and Scrutiny Panel 3 – 2022/23: Regrow, Rewild and Recycle.

Cllr Praveen Anand (Register of Interest)

Councillor Praveen Anand is a councillor for Ealing Common Ward and is a member of Ealing’s Planning Committee, Licensing Committee, Licensing Panel (Ealing Common Ward), Licensing Sub-Committee (Ealing Common Ward), and Scrutiny Panel 4: 2023/2024: Crime and Disorder.