Autumn Budget comment
-David Meek, CEO, This Land
This budget was critical for restoring both the confidence of the general public as well as the real estate industry in the government The new government has faced a lot of negativity since the initial few weeks of optimism following the election and continuing with the same 'doom and gloom' rhetoric will only harm public and market sentiment further. After everything people have been through—COVID, the cost-of-living crisis—blaming the past isn’t going to cut it anymore. This isn’t about sugar-coating reality, but rather about providing a vision that people can believe in.
It is positive to see £10 million allocated for the Cambridgeshire Growth Company to develop an ambitious plan for housing, transport, water and wider infrastructure in this Budget – measures that will help Cambridge realise its full potential by addressing the challenges posed by the ongoing housing shortage, infrastructure limitations and water scarcity.
About David Meek
David is CEO of This Land, the Cambridgeshire-based property development company wholly owned by Cambridgeshire County Council. With more than 30 years of board and leadership experience across sectors and geographies, his background includes financial markets, real estate, technology and charities. He has a proven track record of sustainable, transformational change built on robust governance and risk foundations. David has worked for multiple global institutions, sovereign wealth funds and government-owned entities, as well as large national charities not-for profit membership organisations. His current roles include being a trustee of the Science Museum Foundation.
David is well-versed in the challenges and opportunities facing the real estate development industry and working with local and central Governments, including stakeholder engagement, delivering affordable housing stock and community infrastructure, sustainability and global economic fluctuations.
