David Higgins appointed head of Olympic Delivery Authority

Olympics minister Tessa Jowell this week named David Higgins, the head of English Partnerships, as chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Higgins will take charge of the building of the key Olympic venues, facilities and infrastructure for the London 2012 games, as predicted by Building (22 July). The appointment comes just a week after Jack Lemley, the former head of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, was named ODA chairman.

Higgins was responsible for delivering Olympic projects for the 2000 Sydney Games as chief executive of Australian developer Lend Lease.

Jowell said Higgins had played a key role in turning around the fortunes of EP. She said: “He has run one of the largest private property companies in the world and has built a strong reputation in the public and private sectors.”

Higgins, who joined EP in March 2003, said that he was delighted to take the role at the ODA because delivering the Games was a unique opportunity for the entire country.

He said: “This is the biggest development project in the country. I have seen what it did to Atlanta and Sydney and I want to make sure that legacy comes to this country. I don’t want to waste this opportunity.”

He added that the first challenge would be to work with Lemley to set up a top-class organisation and build good relations with stakeholders.

How Building broke the story of Higgins new role 22 July this year

I want to make sure the legacy comes to this country

David Higgins, ODA chief

The ODA will come into existence when the London Olympics Bill completes its parliamentary stages, expected to be in the first half of next year. The bill passed its committee stage in October and is due to return to the House of Commons in the next few weeks for its report stage and third reading.

Higgins will join Lemley in preparatory work on the ODA from the start of January. From 1989 to 1993 Lemley was chief executive of Transmanche-Link, the consortium of British and French companies responsible for constructing and equipping the Channel Tunnel, the largest privately funded construction project in history.

Higgins emphasised the importance of the Stratford City development to create a successful Olympic Games.

He said the development was “essential” and that one of the first tasks he would take on board would be to link Stratford City to the Olympic village.

“We have to get Stratford right first. It will be the first thing people see when they enter the lower Lea Valley, so it is crucial.

We need to think about practical aspects such as drainage and gas.

At the moment they are not integrated – there are two separate planning applications. We must make sure the designs complement each other.”

We have to get Stratford right first. It’ll be the first thing people will see

David Higgins

Higgins said that he had a close relationship with the Stratford City consortium and added that there were working groups in place to ensure the two projects were co-ordinated.

He said disputed land that lies in both the Olympic village and Stratford City, which had been the subject of a compulsory purchase order from the LDA, would be part of the Olympic village.

Higgins said the teams were negotiating over what exactly the land would be used for, and did not rule out the possibility of placing an Olympic venue within the Stratford City development.

He refused to comment on speculation over whether he would poach former colleagues at EP to join him on the 60-strong ODA.

“It is an open and transparent application process and I can’t dictate who can apply,” he said.

EP is not thought to have made a decision on Higgins’ replacement as chief executive. Higgins, who will take up his post in January, said he would consider having a design champion on the Olympic board.