Croydon Economic Development Company Chief Executive appointed

Published by Chris M for Croydon Economic Development Company Ltd in Communities and also in Local Government

Croydon's Economic Development Partnership has appointed Antony Kildare to the post of Chief Executive of the new Croydon Economic Development Company (EDC). The EDC will be an independent private sector-led company which is being established as the lead delivery body for the borough's Economic Development Strategy.

Antony is currently a director with the global professional services firm Ernst & Young, where he is Director for the Government and Public Sector business. Newly appointed Chair Barry Rourke said: "Attracting a candidate of such high calibre to this role demonstrates that Croydon presents one of the best opportunities for business growth and development in the South East despite the current economic climate.

"Antony's experience of complex business areas and his leadership of substantial economic and regional development agencies across the UK will undoubtedly give Croydon an important edge in leading the multi-million pound developments already in the pipeline and attracting future investment." Antony has previously held positions as the Chief Executive of the EDC Renaissance South Yorkshire, Executive Director of Economic Development of East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), and Head of Enterprise and Skills for Scottish Enterprise.

Antony was the Director of the Cox Review of Creativity in Business which addressed how UK businesses can meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive business environment. He chaired the RDA (Regional Development Agency) Enterprise Directors' Forum and has a business background in tourism, leisure, entertainment, manufacturing and financial services.

He said: "I am looking forward to coming to Croydon to work with the Board and the business community in the borough. Croydon has been very effective at building strong partnerships between business and public sector organisations, and I am keen to see those relationships achieve greater benefit for the borough including through the development of a thriving economic environment."

Welcoming his appointment, Cllr Steve O'Connell, one of the joint chairs of Croydon's Economic Development Partnership said: "With Antony's appointment we now have two exceptionally talented leaders in place who will give the EDC solid foundations. Antony's wealth of experience and achievement in economic development in parts of the country such as the East Midlands and Yorkshire where there have been tremendous changes in industry and employment will be invaluable."

Earlier this week, the Economic Development Partnership announced the appointment of Barry Rourke, as the Chair of the new Company. Barry has significant boardroom experience and broad business and industry knowledge, particularly in the construction, engineering and natural resource sectors, in the UK and internationally. Barry, who lives locally in Purley, is an independent member of the Audit Committee for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and a board member for Columbus Corp, a New York based acquisitions company. He is also a non exec director of Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation Trust, and from 1984-2001 was a Partner at PwC.

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For more information contact Jenny Curtis, EDC Project Manager on behalf of the Economic Development Partnership on jenny.curtis@navigantconsulting.com

Note to editors

The EDC will be a ‘not for profit limited company' that will build on successful partnerships between the council and the business community, it will drive and deliver a coordinated economic strategy that creates an environment for local, national and international businesses to thrive, developing wealth and opportunity for the community. This represents a transformation in how Croydon promotes itself and provides a single voice to lobby for investment and growth.

The EDC will have access to a broad range of sources of public and private sector funding, including a core grant from the Council, LEGI contracts, European Regional Development Fund income as well as sponsorships and other income from the private sector.