Reg Ward

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Reg Ward was the first Chief Executive of the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) from 1981 to 1988.

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[edit] Early life and education

Ward was born in the Forest of Dean, a son of a miner.

While lecturing on radar equipment as a young RAF pilot, he was encouraged to apply for University - the first in his family to do so.

He went to Manchester University to study Mediaeval History and then Fine Art and Architecture. However he rejected the possibility of becoming an academic, preferring instead to join the Inland Revenue as a Tax Inspector.

[edit] Local government

In his mid-30's he had a third change of career, leaving the Revenue for a job as administrator of the architecture department at Lancashire County Council.

A series of local government appointments followed, culminating in him becoming Chief Executive of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, and later of Hereford and Worcester County Council.

[edit] LDDC

He was a surprise choice to lead the new Docklands body on its inception and for 9 months was the only member of staff.

At the LDDC Ward was responsible for the idea of the Docklands Light Railway, London City Airport, Canary Wharf and was consulted by Iain Shearer for the ExCeL Exhibition Centre

His forthright style did not sit well with his colleagues in central government and he was eased out of the job shortly after the deal on Canary Wharf was signed. However, he is now viewed as the main driver behind the extraordinary change and development in London Docklands.

[edit] Career after LDDC

Ward went on to work in Barcelona and Sydney on major regeneration projects before being appointed to head the regeneration of St Kitts in the Caribbean.

He runs his own consultancy company and is a regular contributor to debates on urban regeneration and the future of the Thames Gateway.