Canary Wharf Group announced today that Sir George Iacobescu CBE is to take on the role of non-Executive Chairman from 1 July.
Sir George was Chief Executive of the company from 1997 to 2011, Chairman and Chief Executive from 2011 to 2019 and Executive Chairman since 2019.
Sir George Iacobescu said: “I am immensely proud of everything that has been achieved at Canary Wharf. We took a piece of land that no-one wanted, and we have delivered one of the biggest regeneration projects the world has ever seen.”
“I am lucky to have been part of a great team of people who made this happen”
“The Company is in excellent hands and is in good shape to continue its strong growth.”
“I am enthusiastic about the future for Canary Wharf and look forward to continuing to support the company in this new role.”
Chief Executive Shobi Khan said: “I am delighted that Sir George has decided to become Chairman of Canary Wharf Group. He is a legend in the property industry and what he has achieved here in Canary Wharf is known throughout the world.”
“Sir George turned an unwanted empty dock into the most successful regeneration project in the world and permanently changed not just the skyline but also the geography of London. His success paved the way for the rebirth of docklands and east London.”
“Thanks to Sir George, Canary Wharf Group is the most sustainable developer in the UK. We created a 24/7 15-minute city where people can live, work and play in a sustainable and healthy community.”
“His experience and expertise is unparalleled. I’d like to thank him for his advice and support since I joined the company and I look forward to working with him as Canary Wharf Group enters its next chapter”
For further information, please contact:
Press Office
Canary Wharf Group plc
T: 020 7418 2166
E: pressoffice@canarywharf.com
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Sir George Iacobescu
Sir George Iacobescu’s career spans more than 50 years in construction and property development in the UK, USA, Canada, and Europe.
Born in Romania, he emigrated to Canada and then lived in the USA, where he was responsible for construction of iconic buildings including the Olympia Centre in Chicago and World Financial Centre (now Brookfield Place) in New York.
Sir George joined the Canary Wharf Project in 1986 as the Executive Vice-President of Olympia and York, before becoming Chief Executive of the Canary Wharf Group in 1997.
At Canary Wharf he has overseen the development of more than 20 million square feet of office space, railway stations, parks, gardens, and more than 1.2 million sq ft of retail, restaurant, and event space.
He has also led the development of projects outside Canary Wharf including the redevelopment of the Shell Centre in Waterloo into the mixed use 1.5m sq ft Southbank Place, and 20 Fenchurch Street (The “Walkie Talkie”) in the City of London.
He was awarded a CBE for his services to regeneration and was knighted in 2012 for his services to business and to charity.
About Canary Wharf Group:
Canary Wharf Group (CWG) is the developer of the largest urban regeneration project in Europe. CWG develops, manages and currently owns interests in approximately 7.5 million square feet of office space, 0.9 million square feet of retail and over 1,000 Build to Rent apartments.
CWG is the largest sustainable developer in the UK with over 11 million square feet of sustainable certified buildings. CWG also excels operationally having purchased 100% electricity from renewable sources since 2012 and zero waste to landfill since 2009.
CWG has created a 24/7 city where people can live/work/play on the Canary Wharf estate and enjoy all the benefits: great transport links, access to green spaces and waterside living; and a wide range of amenities including an award-winning arts and events programme.
Canary Wharf’s retail offering comprises over 300 shops, including grocery stores, pharmacies, health clubs, bars and restaurants, all within 15 minutes’ walk.
www.canarywharf.com
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