British Land Appoints Emma Cariaga as COO: A Strategic Move for Canada Water and Beyond

British Land, a leading UK commercial property company, has announced the appointment of Emma Cariaga as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), succeeding David Walker who became Chief Financial Officer in November 2024. Emma, previously Joint Head of Canada Water, a 50:50 joint venture with AustralianSuper, brings extensive operational and leadership experience to her new role. This strategic move is expected to have a significant impact on the company's strategic direction, particularly in relation to the Canada Water development project.



Emma Cariaga's appointment as COO is a testament to her instrumental role in driving the Canada Water project to its current stage. As the former Joint Head of Canada Water, she has been instrumental in shaping the project's vision and ensuring it aligns with the broader development pipeline. In her new role, Emma will manage British Land's property management, sustainability, digital placemaking, marketing and communications, and commercial finance functions, as well as continue to lead the Residential business, including at Canada Water.

Emma's appointment comes at a critical juncture for British Land, as the Canada Water development becomes increasingly operational with the completion of the first phase buildings in 2025. Aligning Canada Water with the wider development pipeline provides further opportunities to leverage expertise from across the broader British Land platform. David Lockyer, Head of Development, will take on additional responsibility for the delivery of the Canada Water project, working alongside Roger Madelin.

The alignment of Canada Water with the broader British Land development pipeline presents several benefits and opportunities for leveraging expertise across the platform. Firstly, it ensures consistency in project management, quality, and sustainability standards across all developments. Secondly, it enables British Land to leverage its expertise in mixed-use, sustainable development to drive value for shareholders. Thirdly, it allows the company to recycle capital and invest in other development opportunities. Lastly, it enables British Land to attract and retain top talent by offering opportunities for career growth and development.

In conclusion, Emma Cariaga's appointment as COO at British Land is a strategic move that will significantly influence the company's strategic direction, particularly in relation to the Canada Water development project. By leveraging her operational and leadership skills, British Land is well-positioned to deliver on its strategic objectives for the project and the company as a whole. The alignment of Canada Water with the broader development pipeline presents numerous benefits and opportunities for leveraging expertise across the platform, ensuring a positive long-term impact on the local community and the company's shareholders.