About us

With over 6,000 staff, including schools, Croydon Council is one of the largest employers in the borough and makes a significant contribution to the local economy.

Croydon is London’s largest and youngest borough, known for its diversity, vibrant community, and fantastic opportunities. With close proximity to central London and the South East, Croydon offers a dynamic place to live, work, and enjoy. As home to one of the largest commercial districts in the UK, it’s a major hub for shoppers, professionals, and visitors alike. Croydon’s rich cultural scene, recognised as the birthplace of various music genres, adds to its unique appeal.

With a workforce of c6,000 staff, including schools, Croydon Council is one of the largest employers in the borough. The council also makes a significant contribution to the local economy. 

A growing economic hub

Croydon is undergoing an exciting transformation and is well on its way to becoming a modern European city. Located 11 miles south of Central London, Croydon benefits from outstanding transport connections, with London Victoria, London Bridge and the City all within 16 minutes by rail.

Massive investment including the development by Westfield, which will be one of Europe’s largest retail and leisure destinations, with more than 23,000 new jobs created and 10,760 new homes started over the next 5 years.

A unique cultural offer

Croydon has energy and edge, celebrated street art, beautiful parks and open spaces. A £30 million refurbishment of Fairfield Halls will see it transformed into a world class performance venue, creating a spectacular arts and culture scene for South London as part of a new vibrant cultural and educational quarter at College Green.

Croydon has a growing number of cultural events each year from large scale outdoor performances to festivals and live music.

Culture, equalities and inclusion

Here at Croydon, our vision of the culture of the council is to “ create a collaborative, inclusive and creative environment which allows talent to flourish”.

We nurture and develop our culture through:

  • our core set of values – the foundation of our council
  • running nine staff network groups, offering members support and giving staff a voice when it comes to making the big decisions at Croydon

Our values

We are committed to excellence in all we do. Our values reflect the attitude and approach we take to working together to deliver services to our borough.

Taking responsibility

Encouraging and supporting each other to take responsibility and show what we can do, learning together and recognising all of our contributions.

Proud to serve

Striving to always do our best for the community, getting the most from limited resources and using taxpayers’ money wisely.

Honest and open

Working hard to build trust by treating everyone with honesty and integrity.

One team

Crossing boundaries to work together towards shared goals with colleagues, partners and communities.

Valuing diversity

We make the most of the many perspectives that make Croydon distinctive.

Corporate Management Team

Croydon Council is led by an experienced corporate management team as detailed below:

  • Acting Chief Executive
    Elaine Jackson
  • Assistant Chief Executive
    Stephen Gaskell
  • Corporate Director Resources (Section 151 Officer)
    Conrad Hall
  • Corporate Director Children, Young People and Education
    Stuart Collins
  • Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health
    Annette McPartland
  • Corporate Director Housing
    Susmita Sen
  • Corporate Director Sustainable Communities, Regeneration and Economic Recovery
    Venetia Reid-Baptiste
  • Director of Legal Services (Monitoring Officer)
    Stephen Lawrence-Orumwense

Staff Network Groups

Our nine staff networks are an integral part of Croydon Council’s cultural landscape. They provide their members with personal and career support, run awareness-raising events and help shape the big decisions which affect everyone at Croydon. All our staff networks are sponsored by a member of our leadership team to ensure they’re represented at the highest level.

  • Race Equality staff network
  • Disability staff network
  • LGBT+allies staff network
  • Mental health and wellbeing staff network
  • Women’s staff network
  • Working carers’ staff network
  • Croydon Young Staff Network
  • Muslim Staff Network
  • Christian Staff Network

From policy change and guidance to adjustments to building facilities and staff equipment, our staff network groups have a real impact and effect positive change throughout the organisation.