Sanderson drafted in to accelerate Olympic Legacy Park

Scarborough Group International has brought experienced consultant Ian Sanderson on board as it looks to gear up at the science and health-focused Sheffield development.

With 32 years of commercial development and specialist asset management experience, South Yorkshire-based Sanderson is described as one of the UK’s leading leisure and retail property experts.

As Sheffield City Council’s development partner for the project, SGI is tasked with helping to cement Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park as a world-leading life sciences and innovation hub focused on sport, health and wellbeing.

To date, the group has delivered the Community Stadium, which also houses the Landing Pad incubator, and secured planning consent for the National Centre for Child Health Technology.

Sanderson’s remit will see him work with SGI’s appointed design team to accelerate delivery of the 1m sq ft masterplan, as well as bringing together partners and stakeholders to advance the scheme through the four themes of sport, community, environment and economy.

Sanderson is the founder and chief executive of SLR, which asset manages various schemes across the UK, including Springfields, a 45-acre retail and leisure scheme in Spalding, for UBS Triton Fund.

He has delivered a variety of town centre regeneration schemes and managed major distribution development projects and is currently acting as a development consultant and operator for the 300,000 sq ft Scotch Corner Designer Village in Richmond.

In addition, he chairs the Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club and as co-chair of the Towns Fund board, is project lead for the Stocksbridge 519 hub building approved this year. He is also a partner at tech scale-up vehicle BYTEWORKS.

In years past, Ian previously worked with SGI as part of a joint venture between Thornfield Investments and Teesland iOG, the property fund and asset management arm of SGI which was subsequently sold to Australian fund management business Valad in 2007.

Ian’s appointment follows the news that Dr Sherry Khotari has recently been appointed as the new chair of Legacy Park Ltd, succeeding Richard Caborn, who stepped down in February.

Kevin McCabe, chairman of SGI, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Ian to the team. Having someone with his extensive experience and innovative approach based on-site will really help to establish and cement relationships with partners and key stakeholders that will prove invaluable as we enter this next phase of the project.

“Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park’s development will not only enhance South Yorkshire’s reputation as a centre of expertise for innovation and life sciences, but also contribute significantly to the local economy, creating jobs and opportunities for innovation and collaboration so it is essential that we drive forward our plans with enthusiasm and determination.”

Sanderson added: “I’m delighted to be supporting Scarborough Group on this exciting and transformative project. The vision for Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is truly inspiring and I look forward to working with the team to help bring it to life.”