Lydia Clarkson joined CDA as Head of Placemaking in October 2023. She has 18 years of experience in placemaking in central London, including 10 of her 16 years at Westminster City Council, followed by 7 years with central London REIT Shaftesbury Plc. She has spent over 25 years working in central London in various built environment services, including waste collection, street cleansing, parking and regeneration services, as well as improving buildings, working with local authorities on the delivery of public realm schemes, planning and licensing and providing feedback on policy. In March 2023, Lydia became the Chair of the West End Streets Group for Business LDN, where she oversees the process of supporting major public realm improvement across central London.