Savills has strengthened its London Planning with the appointment of director Bhakti Depala, who will be based in the firm’s Margaret Street office.
Bhakti, a chartered town planner, joins Savills from City of London Corporation where, over the last twelve years, she has held the positions of Senior Planning Officer, Head of Planning Delivery and, most recently, Assistant Director of the City Development and Investment Unit.
In her most recent position Bhakti’s remit was to promote the City as a place to develop and invest, as well as lead on engagement with developers, property investors and other key stakeholders. Her role included the management of the five City Business Improvement Districts as well as supporting the large and SME occupier ecosystem.
Whilst at the City Corporation, Bhakti led on high profile tall building and major complex schemes in the Square Mile, provided strategic oversight on major development schemes from inception to occupation and led the development of the City’s award-winning Wind and Thermal Comfort Guidelines. Prior to her time at City of London Corporation, Bhakti worked at the London Boroughs of Camden, Lambeth and Wandsworth.
In her new role as Town Planning and Partnerships Director at Savills, Bhakti’s primary focus will be to help grow the business, particularly in Central London and amongst the key clients who operate in that market. This will combine Bhakti’s technical planning expertise with business development activities and representing the team as a podium/panel speaker.
Commenting on her appointment, Bhakti says: “I'm excited to begin working with colleagues across the organisation and combining my technical planning expertise and business and partnership development activities to benefit both our clients and the wider business.”
David Jackson, head of planning at Savills, commented: “It is great to have Bhakti join us with her outstanding knowledge of the City of London and the business ecosystem that exists there. The City of course is a unique and exciting marketplace and Bhakti’s expertise will no doubt further assist our clients navigate their projects to a successful outcome.”