York Central expands development team with three new hires

Stafeckis will have a strategic role within the expanded York Central team, which includes Jack Widdup, a current Development Director at McLaren Living, who will focus on York Central, and Joseph Young, a recent graduate joining as a Development Surveyor.

The York Central development team expansion brings a balance of experience and new energy to this nationally significant project.

The team will operate under Tom Gilman, Managing Director of McLaren Regeneration, and will collaborate closely with Allan Cook, founder of Arlington Real Estate.

Together, they will drive the transformation of one of the largest brownfield sites in England, working with Homes England and Network Rail Property, as well as key partners including the City of York Council and the National Railway Museum.

York Central will deliver 2,500 new homes (20% of which will be affordable) and create up to one million sq ft of office, retail and hospitality space, along with improvements to the York Railway Station and an enhanced National Railway Museum.

Next to York railway station, York Central has the potential to generate up to 6,500 jobs and will help to grow York’s future economy by 20%, by adding £1.1bn GVA to the city.

Stafeckis brings extensive experience from her previous role as Head of Development (North) at CEG – formerly Commercial Estates Group – where she was responsible for significant regeneration projects and partnerships across brownfield land in Leeds and has been involved in the climate agenda both at CEG and with the Leeds Climate Commission.

She will be primarily responsible for the environmental and social sustainability opportunities for all elements of the York Central project, to deliver a highly sustainable place and community.

Widdup will leverage his experience in the residential sector, focussing on the Build to Rent and Co-Living markets.  His role will be critical in guiding the project’s residential strategy and ensuring the successful delivery of the housing component of York Central.

Joseph Young, having recently completed his MSc Real Estate Finance at the University of Reading, will support the team across all elements of the development process.

The one million square feet of new offices, retail and leisure uses, to the rear of York station, will create a major new employment hub for northern England. Including a potential Government Property Agency (GPA) new 195,000 sq ft government hub, which could  be home to up to 2,600 civil servants.

York Central will include extensive park land and public realm, along with vibrant public squares that will connect the new development to the surrounding neighbourhoods and the adjacent York City Centre.

This latest York Central development team expansion will help deliver an ambitious mixed-use vision rooted in sustainability and inclusivity.

To explore the project’s long-term vision, visit the York Central’s Place Page.

Learn more about the Leeds Climate Commission where Karen Stafeckis has been actively involved in shaping sustainability policy.