Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Trust

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Trust
Name	Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Trust
Established	2011
Location	Stratford, London
Type	Trust
Director	---
Website	---

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Trust The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Trust was the organisation responsible for managing and developing the post-2012 Olympic legacy at the Olympic Park in Stratford, London. The Trust oversaw transformation of venues established for the 2012 Summer Olympics such as the London Stadium, Copper Box Arena, and Lee Valley VeloPark, and worked with partners including the London Legacy Development Corporation, Westfield Stratford City, UK Sport, Sports England and Mayor of London stakeholders to secure regeneration outcomes. Its remit intersected with institutions such as the Olympic Delivery Authority, International Olympic Committee, British Olympic Association, and local authorities like Newham London Borough Council and Hackney London Borough Council.

History

The Trust formed in the aftermath of the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics to steward legacy objectives set out by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Cabinet Office under ministers who responded to reports from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Early milestones included conversion works overseen with the Olympic Delivery Authority and consultation with the Mayor of London and Greater London Authority on planning frameworks such as the London Plan. The Trust negotiated venue transformations involving contractors associated with firms like Laing O'Rourke, AECOM, and consultants linked to projects funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and investors from the European Investment Bank. Throughout its history the Trust interacted with legacy campaigns from organisations including Sport England, Arts Council England, Historic England and community bodies in Stratford, London, Hackney Wick, and Leyton. The Trust's activities were reported in media outlets including the BBC, The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, and scrutiny from select committees in the House of Commons.

Governance and Organisation

The Trust's board drew on expertise from leaders associated with institutions like the National Lottery, English Heritage, British Museum, Tate Modern, University College London, and corporate directors with experience at Barclays, HSBC, BT Group, and Transport for London. Its governance frameworks referenced policies from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and compliance with statutes overseen by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and corporate filings at Companies House. Operational leadership coordinated with venue management teams from entities such as E20 Stadium Ltd, event promoters including AEG Presents, and partners like London Marathon Events and Chelsea FC for temporary use agreements. The Trust reported performance to panels convened by representatives from London Councils, Greater London Authority, and parliamentary bodies including the House of Lords committees on culture and sport.

Facilities and Sites

Assets managed under the Trust included the London Stadium (formerly Olympic Stadium), the Copper Box Arena, the Lee Valley VeloPark, London Aquatics Centre, ArcelorMittal Orbit, and landscaped zones such as the Parklands and The Greenway. Surrounding regeneration projects interfaced with commercial sites like Westfield Stratford City, residential developments by developers such as Lendlease, Taylor Wimpey and Peabody Trust, and transport hubs including Stratford station, Stratford International station, and the Docklands Light Railway. Cultural activations involved collaborations with institutions such as Sadler's Wells, Royal Opera House, Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London, V&A Museum, and independent operators in Hackney Wick Studios. The Trust also coordinated environmental stewardship with agencies like Environment Agency, Natural England, and London Wildlife Trust for waterways such as the River Lea and habitats proximate to the Lee Valley Regional Park.

Events and Programming

Programming delivered at Trust venues hosted international sporting fixtures including matches for UEFA Euro 2020 predecessors, athletics meetings aligned with the IAAF World Championships circuit, and events in partnership with British Athletics, England and Wales Cricket Board, and Rugby Football Union. Music and cultural festivals involved promoters linked to Live Nation, Glastonbury Festival networks, and touring exhibitions from the British Museum and Tate Modern. Community sporting initiatives worked with federations such as Football Association, Rugby Football League, British Gymnastics, and disability sports bodies like WheelPower and ParalympicsGB. The Trust programmed commemorative activities tied to national events observed by the Royal Family and civic ceremonies coordinated with the Mayor of London and local civic offices.

Community and Educational Initiatives

The Trust's legacy commitments included community access schemes run with partners such as Newham College, University of East London, and youth organisations like the Scout Association and Girlguiding UK. Educational outreach involved collaborations with schools in the London Borough of Newham, apprenticeship programmes with construction partners such as Skanska and Balfour Beatty, and skills initiatives connected to City & Guilds accreditation. Cultural education projects were devised alongside institutions including National Theatre, Barbican Centre, RSC, and creative hubs in Hackney Wick and Stratford Circus Arts Centre. Social housing and inclusion strategies engaged registered providers like Clarion Housing Group and Peabody Trust to align regeneration with affordable housing objectives.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding mechanisms combined public investment from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, commercial revenue from venue hires mediated with firms such as AEG Presents and Live Nation, and capital partnerships involving private developers including Lendlease, Westfield, and institutional investors like Legal & General and Aviva Investors. The Trust negotiated cost-sharing arrangements with the London Legacy Development Corporation and secured sponsorship deals from corporate partners including BT Group and M&S. Audit and accountability involved auditors and advisors from firms such as KPMG, PwC, Deloitte, and Ernst & Young with oversight from parliamentary enquiries and scrutiny by bodies such as the National Audit Office.

Category:Olympic legacy organisations Category:Sports organisations based in London