Greenwich Peninsula is one of London’s most significant mixed-use regeneration projects. Led by Knight Dragon, the 30-year redevelopment is designed to deliver nearly 17,500 new homes alongside cultural, leisure, and community facilities, including 48 acres of public space. 

With a large-scale estate, multiple active workstreams, and a wide range of stakeholders, the operational leadership required for Greenwich Peninsula is both complex and highly strategic. Following the departure of the Head of Operations, Knight Dragon needed immediate senior support to maintain momentum and ensure continuity across critical estate management priorities. 

SAY Property Consultants was appointed to provide an interim Head of Operations through a senior secondment. The role required someone who could embed quickly within the Knight Dragon team, take ownership of day-to-day estate and district management oversight, and provide confident leadership during a key transition period. 

The priority was to ensure there was no loss of progress across managing agent oversight, service charge budgeting, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and strategic project delivery. SAY’s support enabled Knight Dragon to maintain operational stability while continuing to progress important workstreams across the estate. 

During the secondment, SAY led the performance management of managing agents across the estate, oversaw the service charge budget setting and sign-off process, supported Building Safety Act compliance, and managed key stakeholder relationships, including RSLs, GLAP, and local authorities. 

The role also included maintaining progress on strategic projects, including estate re-apportionment and the Golden Thread initiative, as well as supporting the mobilisation of new schemes and managing ongoing legal matters. 

The secondment was extended twice, reflecting both the value delivered and the continuing requirement for senior operational support. During this period, SAY also undertook a targeted audit of a managing agent’s performance, providing additional assurance and helping to strengthen operational oversight. 

A full and structured handover was then provided to the incoming permanent Head of Operations, supporting a smooth transition and helping to set the new appointment up for success. 

Results and impact 

• Provided immediate senior operational leadership following the departure of Knight Dragon’s Head of Operations  

• Maintained continuity across a complex, large-scale residential and mixed-use estate  

• Led managing agent oversight and performance management across the estate  

• Oversaw the service charge budget setting and sign-off process  

• Supported compliance with Building Safety Act requirements  

• Managed stakeholder relationships, including RSLs, GLAP, and local authorities  

• Maintained progress on strategic projects, including estate re-apportionment and the Golden Thread initiative  

• Supported mobilisation of new schemes and ongoing legal matters  

• Delivered a targeted managing agent performance audit to strengthen oversight and drive improvement  

• Completed a structured handover to the incoming permanent Head of Operations