The City of London Corporation has appointed Bhakti Depala as its Assistant Director of the City Development and Investment Unit. Ms Depala has taken up the post from 1 October 2023.

Bhakti has been the Head of Planning Delivery for The City Corporation for the past 18 months. Prior to this, she has been working within the City’s Planning Development Team for 10 years, before working at the London Boroughs of Camden, Lambeth and Wandsworth.

At the City Corporation, Bhakti has lead on high profile tall building and major complex schemes in the Square Mile, from pre-application to delivery, providing strategic oversight on major development schemes and has been involved in the development of the City’s award-winning Wind and Thermal Comfort Guidelines.

Ms Depala’s remit will involve promoting the City as a place to develop and invest, as well as lead on engagement with developers, property investors, support small and medium sized business and other key stakeholders. The goal will be to deliver the optimum environment for businesses to invest and flourish, both in terms of the physical environment and business ecosystems. She will be responsible for the delivery of five Business Improvement Districts and providing a single point of contact, to ensure an integrated approach to planning and development, including oversight of CIL and Planning Obligations.

Bhakti is a member of the CPA Next Gen and works closely with BAME networks and young people to promote the built environment sector as a career choice.

Shravan Joshi, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, said:

“Bhakti is a hugely respected senior planning officer amongst City stakeholders and as a ‘Woman of Influence 2023,’ she is ideally placed to take on this key role and will doubtless build on her past successes.

“I look forward to supporting her in leading on the engagement and partnership with our diverse stakeholders, including our Business Improvement Districts, as well as promoting the City as a place to develop and invest."