Fiona Fletcher-Smith will join the housing provider, which now ranks as one of London’s leading developers, as group director for development and sales.

She will oversee landmark projects such as Barking Riverside, L&Q’s joint venture with the GLA to create a new town of 10,800 new homes as well as vital infrastructure, and a strategic partnership with the Mayor of London to deliver another 20,000 new homes across the capital.

Her remit will also include responsibility for Gallagher Estates, one of the largest strategic land companies in the UK which was acquired by the L&Q Group in early 2017.

During her time at the GLA she has delivered several key strategic initiatives such as the London Plan, the Economic Development Strategy, and the London Environment Strategy, and also oversees the operation of the Mayor’s powers in relation to significant planning applications in the capital.

L&Q’s large development operation includes in-house teams to manage land and planning, development projects, construction, and sales and marketing.

The department underwent a major reshaping in 2017, with the aim of scaling up to deliver 5,000 new homes a year by 2020.

David Montague, L&Q Chief Executive, said: “Fiona has helped to put housing at the forefront of the London planning agenda and we hope that her passion will drive our own ambitions to help tackle the housing crisis through the delivery of tens of thousands of genuinely affordable, quality homes.”