- Sadiq is moving forward with bold proposals for regeneration of Oxford Street to turbocharge growth in the heart of the capital, appointing Chief Executive and Board members to lead his new Mayoral Development Corporation
- Newly appointed team bring diverse insight and cross-sector expertise including retail, property, leisure, fashion, music, theatre, media, law and politics
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will today convene the expert team leading his new Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) Board for their inaugural meeting to drive regeneration in the heart of the capital and turbocharge wider growth.
Sadiq is rapidly moving forward with his bold vision to make Oxford Street a world-leading urban space for shopping, leisure and outdoor events. Following overwhelming public and business support, with around 7 in 10 backing the Mayor’s regeneration plans and two-thirds specifically supporting the idea of pedestrianising the street [1], detailed pedestrianisation proposals are now open for consultation until 16 January [2].
Latest data [3] shows retailers racing to secure space on Oxford Street ahead of its long-anticipated transformation, with leasing momentum accelerating over the past year and Savills forecasting a record number of retail launches by the end of 2026. The Mayor has also been working closely with Government on the necessary legislation to establish OSDC, following support from the London Assembly in July 2025, which took effect on 1 January.
Today’s landmark first meeting of the new OSDC Board takes place at London’s City Hall to discuss their shared vision for Oxford Street, as well as the work to date and key priorities going forward. The Board’s expert appointments bring a wealth of diverse insight and experience that will help realise the Mayor’s ambition to make Oxford Street a world-class leisure destination.
Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE is a prominent lawyer, businesswoman and diversity advocate. One of the first Black British women to become a partner at a City law firm, she brings expertise in planning legislation to OSDC. She was previously on the Board of the British Retail Consortium and held senior roles in major businesses from John Lewis to The Co-op.
Es Devlin OBE is an acclaimed stage and set designer whose career spans theatre, opera, pop music and fashion. An advocate for integrated and immersive art in high streets, her many accolades include three Olivier Awards and an OBE for services to stage and set design. She has designed large-scale sets for globally renowned artists and productions at iconic institutions from the National Theatre to the Royal Opera House.
Keith Edelman is a business executive with over 30 years of international experience across retail, leisure and property. He is best known for his time as the Managing Director of Arsenal Football Club from 2000 to 2008, where he secured major sponsorship deals and oversaw the development of the award-winning Emirates Stadium. He is Chair of Revolution Bars Group and Media Zest, and was previously a Director of the London Legacy Development Corporation.
Emir Feisal is a specialist in transformational change and essential resource planning. He currently holds non-executive director roles across public sector organisations including the Disclosure and Barring Service, British Transport Police Authority and the Bar Standards Board. He is also a Magistrate and a Judge of the Family Court. A chartered accountant, he previously worked as Associate Managing Editor for The Sunday Times.
Asma Khan is a trailblazing restaurateur in London’s culinary scene whose Soho restaurant Darjeeling Express has won critical industry acclaim while staying true to her grassroots social and environmental commitments. She is a chef advocate for the UN World Food Programme and holds honorary fellowships from Queen’s College Oxford and King’s College London. TIME magazine named her one of the world’s 100 most influential people last year.
Caroline Rush CBE is a major figure in the British fashion industry and was Chief Executive Officer of the British Fashion Council from 2009 to 2025. She is credited with playing an integral role in elevating London Fashion Week, spearheading the Institute of Positive Fashion to drive industry innovation, and promoting British fashion onto a global platform. She was awarded a CBE in 2015 for services to the British fashion industry.
Kate Willard is currently Chair and CEO of the Thames Estuary Growth Board. She is also an Expert Advisory Council Member for the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), providing Government with impartial and expert advice to support the implementation of its 10-year infrastructure strategy.
The Mayor has appointed OSDC Board members to represent the relevant local authorities, including Council Leaders Richard Olszewski for Camden and Adam Hug for Westminster.
Also on the Board is Howard Dawber OBE, the Mayor’s Deputy for Business and the Chair of the capital’s growth agency London & Partners. His extensive business career includes 17 years as Managing Director for Strategy of the Canary Wharf Group, where he was involved in developing the Elizabeth Line as well as supporting the 2012 Olympic Bid and Olympic Legacy.
Subject to Board confirmation, the Mayor has proposed allocating a non-voting position to the New West End Company, a Business Improvement District representing businesses on over 100 local roads including Oxford Street. The organisation has nominated Chief Executive Dee Corsi for the role, who brings a track record of delivering positive impact through public realm transformation, world-class street management and security, large-scale destination marketing activations, and strategic advocacy work on behalf of the West End business community.
Sadiq has also appointed Nabeel Khan as OSDC Chief Executive. Nabeel brings considerable experience in urban planning, economic development and major regeneration across London – most recently at the London Borough of Lambeth, leading the Growth & Environment department’s work to ensure people and places can thrive in a sustainable and inclusive local economy. He led the development and delivery of Lambeth’s internationally recognised Kerbside Strategy to reimagine streets as vibrant, people-centred spaces that prioritise movement, accessibility and experience.
Nabeel was also a non-executive director at Be First, where he helped reset its strategic direction and achieved top national rankings for council housebuilding, delivering more than a thousand affordable homes. He supported the organisation to deliver the UK’s first multi-storey light-industrial workspace, Industria, showcasing the kind of impactful mixed-use regeneration expertise that will be critical to reimagining Oxford Street.
In November 2025, the Mayor appointed retail veteran Scott Parsons as OSDC Chair. Scott’s extensive background leading major projects in London includes guiding Westfield through the challenges of Covid, managing Landsec’s diverse property development portfolio, and supporting businesses as a non-executive director for the New West End Company.
The OSDC Board is expected to meet again at City Hall in February 2026.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Today’s meeting is a major milestone in our work to revitalise the nation’s high street and create a truly world-class leisure destination.
“Bringing the diverse knowledge and insight of our new Board members together with Nabeel Khan’s regeneration expertise will help us to unlock Oxford Street’s true potential, as we continue building a better and more prosperous London for everyone.”
Incoming OSDC Chief Executive, Nabeel Khan, said: “Oxford Street is a powerhouse of London’s economy and a cultural touchstone for millions. To help shape its future is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and an immense honour. I look forward to working with our partners to deliver a world-class destination that is welcoming, safe and commercially thriving.”
New West End Company’s Chief Executive, Dee Corsi, said: “The establishment of a Mayoral Development Corporation for Oxford Street is significant milestone in the street's ongoing evolution, acknowledging the vital economic, cultural and community role it plays here in the capital, and across the UK.
"It is now crucial that we move forward to deliver long-term, strategic change for Oxford Street and the wider West End. I look forward to working closely with Scott Parsons, Nabeel Khan, the Mayor of London, Westminster City Council and the Board, to represent the West End business community and shape a shared vision for Oxford Street's future.”
OSDC Chair, Scott Parsons, said: “The Oxford Street transformation provides the opportunity to put a world-famous icon back on the map. I'm looking forward to working with the Mayor, the new Chief Executive and their teams on this exciting project.”