New Chair of Croydon Economic Development Company

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

Croydon's Economic Development Partnership has appointed Barry Rourke as Chair of the new Economic Development Company. The Economic Development Company (EDC) will start work in early summer and includes the Croydon Enterprise programme, Croydon Business Ltd, the running of Croydon BID Company and ENVIBE.
To ensure the new EDC's credibility with Croydon's business community, and to maximise its effectiveness, it will be an independent private sector-led company.
Cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, Councillor Steve O'Connell, a member of the appointments panel said: "Barry's wealth of experience in business is matched by his commitment to Croydon and the possibilities and opportunities this new company represents."
Welcoming the appointment panel's decisions Barry, who is an independent member of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said: "I am delighted and honoured to be offered what will no doubt be a stimulating and exciting opportunity to lead this work for the people of Croydon. I am looking forward to working with businesses in the borough who have shown their commitment to staying and growing in Croydon, and to seeing the positive impact the developments already in the pipeline will have on residents."
Chair of Croydon Town Centre Business Improvement District Joe Rowe said: "We were fortunate to have a number of high calibre applicants for this role and I am very pleased that Barry has agreed to accept the challenge. The work of the EDC under Barry's leadership will be vital for the future prosperity of Croydon and his appointment will give the business community much encouragement at a difficult time."
Shadow regeneration and economic development member Councillor Toni Letts added her support for the appointment: "This appointment was crucial and getting it right meant asking some tough questions which Barry dealt with
admirably. He was an impressive candidate who I am sure will provide the leadership this venture requires to succeed."
Acting as an advisor to the panel, Croydon Council's Chief Executive Jon Rouse said the next steps would be to appoint the remaining members of the board and the Chief Executive. "These key roles within Croydon attract people with excellent credentials and I am sure that moving forward the Partnership will have a field of the highest quality. The process has been a rigorous one, and the standards set will be maintained to ensure that the expectations of our residents and business community are met."


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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
Barry Rourke has significant boardroom experience, with leadership and team working skills as well as broad business and industry knowledge, particularly in the construction, engineering and natural resource sectors, in the UK and internationally. Barry is also a board member for Columbus Corp, a New York based acquisitions company, and is also a non exec director of Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation Trust. Until 2007 Barry was Chair of Threshold Housing Association, and from 1984-2001 he was a Partner at PwC.

• ENVIBE is currently part of the council, and leads work to help business become more environmentally friendly.

• The Croydon Economic Development Partnership is one of the five key partnerships that make up Croydon's Local Strategic Partnership (LSP).

• 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.

• 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.