Leigh Johnson appointed Managing Director of Barking Riverside Limited

Leigh Johnson has been appointed Managing Director of Barking Riverside Limited (BRL), ready to lead the next phase of delivery at Barking Riverside — shaping a place that will define the future of the capital.

Leigh joins BRL from Wates Residential, where she was Regional Development Director for London leading on joint venture projects such as those with the London Borough of Harrow. She has previously held senior leadership positions at four of the UK’s top five housebuilders, where her focus has been on large, complex, and multi-phase housing delivery projects. Bringing an essential blend of public and private sector expertise, Leigh also worked at Homes England for three years, where she had a national remit to lead the agency’s master developer functions and to safeguard pace whilst also raising design quality.

Leigh’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Barking Riverside. A new Outline Planning Application – which was submitted in 2024 and is due to be determined in 2026 – sets out BRL’s ambition to deliver up to 20,000 homes across the development. This was the largest residential planning application in England last year, with next year’s determination marking a major milestone for the project.

Supported by a £124 million infrastructure funding package from Homes England, BRL is currently advancing a significant programme of works to unlock these new homes and to provide essential infrastructure for the growing community. Over the next 12 months, key deliverables include:

• Enhancing access to the River Thames, inclusive of a new pedestrian promenade, play, public seating and upgraded flood defences.
• The creation of a major Boulevard Park with dedicated spaces for sport and play.
• The launch of new health facilities, shops, and restaurants.
• Several strategic land sales, which together represent over 3,000 new homes.

Leigh’s arrival will mark a defining year for BRL’s staff team and Board, which will shape the future of the project for years to come.

On her appointment, Leigh commented: “I’m proud to be joining BRL at this critical and energising moment in its evolution. This is a nationally significant project and a career-defining opportunity, not only because of the scale of homes being delivered, but also because of the credibility and commitment of the partners involved.

“Having previously sat on both sides of the table, I feel uniquely positioned to reinforce BRL’s role as a true master developer, working collaboratively to deliver homes at the pace and quality that London requires.

“It is a privilege to be joining an experienced and dedicated team, which has already done so much to establish the identity, ambition, and reputation of this emerging destination. Together, I am looking forward to shaping a neighbourhood that residents are proud to call home, all whilst delivering an inclusive and lasting legacy for this part of East London.”

Leigh’s appointment follows the end of Matthew Carpen’s tenure as Managing Director, who has been in post for 12 years. Matthew will start his position as CEO of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, another Mayor of London project, later this Autumn.

Leigh is expected to start her new role as Managing Director in November 2025, enabling BRL to enter 2026 galvanised under her leadership.