Plans to revitalise London’s Oxford Street to make it a world-leading urban space for shopping, leisure and outdoor events have moved ahead as City mayor Sir Sadiq Khan convened the team leading the new Oxford Street Development Corporation Board.
The inaugural meeting of the OSDC was scheduled to be held at London’s City Hall, where Khan would discuss the vision for the regeneration of the iconic shopping street, which hosts around half a million visitors each day.
It followed strong public and business support for revitalisation plans – around seven in 10 backed the Mayor’s regeneration plans and two-thirds supported street pedestrianisation.
Detailed proposals to make the street car and bus free are now open for consultation until January 16.
Retailers were said to be racing to secure space on Oxford Street ahead of its transformation, with leasing momentum accelerating over the past year. Savills has forecast a record number of retail launches by the end of 2026.
The OSDC board, which formally came into effect on January 1, comprises people experienced in sectors including hospitality, retail, fashion, and local government.
They include:
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Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford, a lawyer, businesswoman and diversity advocate who was previously on the board of the British Retail Consortium and held senior roles at John Lewis and the Co-op
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Es Devlin, a three-time Olivier Award-winning stage and set designer whose career spans theatre, opera, pop music and fashion.
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Keith Edelman, a former Arsenal Football Club boss who previusly ran then BHS and Mothercare owner Storehouse
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Asma Khan, a restaurateur who founded Darjeeling Express
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Caroline Rush, former chief executive of the British Fashion Council
Local authority representatives include Richard Olszewski for Camden and Adam Hug for Westminster. The mayor has also proposed allocating a non-voting position to business improvement district organisation the New West End Company.
Nabeel Khan, who was said to bring a wealth of experience in urban planning, economic development and major regeneration across London, has been named OSDC chief executive.
In November 2025, the Mayor appointed Scott Parsons as OSDC chair. Parsons’ experience includes guiding Westfield through Covid-19, managing Landsec’s property development portfolio and being a non-executive director for the New West End Company.
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.”
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