Introduction from Mayor Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

Dear Candidate

Thank you for your interest in the role of Chief Executive at Croydon Council.

This is one of the most significant leadership opportunities in local government today.

Croydon is a borough of immense potential. We have vibrant communities, real aspiration, a strong sense of place, and the scale to play a major role in London’s future. We are London’s largest borough, with nearly 400,000 residents, more than 16,000 businesses, excellent links to central London and Gatwick, and one of the capital’s largest and most important town centres.

We are also a borough that has faced considerable challenges in recent years. Following an unprecedented financial crisis, we have worked hard to stabilise the Council’s position, strengthen governance, improve services, and begin rebuilding trust with our residents and communities. That work is ongoing, and it will remain a central priority.

However, Croydon is not defined by its past. We are focused on our future.

As Executive Mayor, I have set out a clear vision for the borough: one that prioritises financial sustainability, high-quality core services, visible delivery, and a Council that is open, accountable and focused on residents.

Alongside that, Croydon has a major economic opportunity ahead.

The borough has already secured more than £1.2 billion of inward public and private investment over the last four years. We are working with major partners, including Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, London Gatwick Airport, London South Bank University, Legal & General, BOXPARK and Crystal Palace FC to deliver the future of the Whitgift and Centrale centres, URW’s Croydon Project, the North End Quarter, housing-led regeneration, public realm improvements and the wider Gatwick growth corridor.

Our business base is one of our greatest strengths. Croydon has London’s largest number of SMEs, one of the country’s strongest concentrations of microbusinesses, major national employers, a strong logistics sector and a nationally important creative cluster.

My administration is clear about what is needed next. Potential alone is not enough. We must remove blockages, grip delivery, make decisions, and create a Council that is confident, responsive and focused on making things happen. Croydon cannot afford drift or delay. Residents, businesses and investors need to see visible progress.

To achieve our aspirations, I need a Chief Executive who can operate as a true partner in leadership. Someone who can lead delivery, complex transformation, and inspire confidence across the organisation and beyond.

This includes a clear focus on place: making Croydon a borough that residents are proud to call home, a place where businesses want to invest, and a Council that is capable of delivering at the scale our residents deserve.

You will be joining at a pivotal moment. There is real momentum, but also much more to do. This role requires resilience, clarity, pace, commercial insight and a strong commitment to public service. It also requires the ability to build trusted partnerships with residents, Members, communities, businesses, investors, Government, the GLA and anchor institutions across the borough.

In return, Croydon offers a unique opportunity: to lead change at scale, to help shape the future of London’s largest borough, to support major regeneration and inward investment, and to make a lasting difference to the lives of our residents.

I hope you find the enclosed information both helpful and compelling. Thank you again for considering this role.

Yours sincerely

Mayor Jason Perry
Executive Mayor of Croydon