An update from Matt Carpen

As friends of the Barking Riverside project, I wanted to take the opportunity to personally update you on some news.
After 12 years as the Managing Director of Barking Riverside Limited, I have made the difficult decision to move onto a new opportunity. Following a recruitment process earlier this year, I have been appointed as Chief Executive of Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC), which has been approved by the Mayor of London and the OPDC Board.

My experience at Barking Riverside has been far ranging – having led the delivery of a new Overground station, an Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier, and the completion of over 3,500 new homes. I now feel well equipped to apply this knowledge to the Old Oak project, utilising strategic investment and infrastructure to unlock homes for Londoners at scale.

Although this opportunity is hugely exciting, I am leaving Barking Riverside with a heavy heart – but also with brilliant memories and warmth. I am incredibly proud of all that has been achieved under my tenure, and I will sincerely miss working with the exceptional team that has been created to deliver this ambitious project. I wanted to thank them, my Board of Directors, and our residents, as well as everyone who has provided me with support and guidance whilst I have been in post. A special mention should also be given to BRL’s shareholders and funders, whose commitment to the project has enabled these incredible achievements.

As stakeholders, you will know that Barking Riverside’s focus for the future is the continued delivery of homes and infrastructure. A new Outline Planning Application for the site was submitted in 2024, which could enable BRL to deliver up to 20,000 homes at Barking Riverside. Further, with the support of £30 million of grant funding from Homes England, major infrastructure works are currently underway to facilitate new roads and open spaces that are central to the Barking Riverside masterplan.

Please be assured that I will remain at Barking Riverside until later this year and will be supporting the BRL Board as they identify Barking Riverside’s next Managing Director. This process will be announced in the coming weeks.

BRL’s experienced Executive Team will also continue to provide senior direction and continuity as BRL delivers against the critical project milestones that have been identified for 2025. This is not a goodbye, as I am sure I will see many of you over the coming months, but I wanted to again express my genuine thanks for all the support I have received over the last 12 years.

All the best,
Matt Carpen