Company update – March 2025

Executive transition

2024 marked a year of transformational change for This Land with significant restructuring and improvements in the company’s leadership, governance, risk management and controls. This was led by our Interim Chief Executive, David Meek. 

As this milestone in the company’s development has now been achieved, David will be stepping down as Interim Chief Executive at the end of this financial year – 31st March 2025. David became Interim Chief Executive in November 2023, prior to which he was the Chairperson of This Land. 

Julia Gregory, the Interim Chairperson of This Land, said: “David has been instrumental in leading and transforming the company, which has seen us now with strengthened risk and governance oversight, improved Board effectiveness, quality management information provision and improved stakeholder engagement. We wish David, the very best for the future and thank him for his passion and energy to deliver these changes in a short period of time, which see us ready for the future.”

This Land Board has commenced the process to recruit a new CEO for This Land, to ensure a smooth transition between David and the new CEO, who will lead us into the next phase of the company. 

Annual report and financial position

In December 2024, the board of directors of This Land (Board) approved the company’s annual report and accounts for the period ended 31 March 2024. The annual report and accounts were prepared on a going concern basis and, as part of that approval process, the Board considered This Land’s financial position and viability. The Board concluded This Land would be in a position to continue in business for the foreseeable future from the date on which the report and externally audited accounts were approved.

Julia Gregory, the Interim Chairperson of This Land, said: “to date, This Land has built (or facilitated the building of through planning) 967 new homes, including c.300 affordable homes. During the period since This Land’s inception, Cambridgeshire County Council has received £43 million unrestricted interest income and £78 million capital receipts. The directors are confident the company can continue to deliver benefits for its shareholder and local residents, in line with its shareholder’s aspirations.”