Philip Lewis, a board member of the Legacy Corporation for the past three years, is a chartered surveyor with 40 years experience in the property market. He is currently Chief Executive of the property division of the Kirsh Group, which is part of Natie Kirsh’s international trading business.

The Legacy Corporation became the local planning authority on 1 October for the Park and adjoining areas in Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Hackney and Newham. The new Planning Decisions Committee’s powers include determining planning applications and consents for listed buildings and conservation areas.

Philip Lewis, Chairman of the Planning Decisions Committee, said:

“I am delighted to take on the role of Chairman of the Planning Decisions Committee. The Committee will play a crucial role in the development of plans for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the surrounding areas, to create a new part of the city.

“The Committee will help to drive forward regeneration plans for the area, ensuring high quality design and sustainable development to bring lasting benefits to east London.”

Previously, Philip led the transformation of the original Conrad Ritblat surveying business into a publicly quoted property investment company, Milner Estates plc. Subsequently, he was executive chairman of Safestore plc, president of the British Council of Shopping centres and also chairman of Sport England, London. He was the non-executive chairman and founding investor of Preventicum UK Ltd, the executive health screening business based in west London, and has held a range of non-executive roles.

At the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Mr Lewis has been a member of the executive board of the General Practice Division and the Commercial Market Panel and has lectured at both Harvard and Reading University on a range of real estate topics. He has also been involved in a number of charities.