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New chief executive for Croydon Economic Development
Published: 2009-03-26 13:33:45
Antony Kildare has been appointed chief executive of Croydon’s new economic development company, Croydon Economic Development (CED). Kildare was previously director for the government and public sector business at Ernst & Young.
Newly appointed CED 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."
Kildare has been chief executive of economic development company Renaissance South Yorkshire, executive director of economic development of East Midlands Development Agency and head of enterprise and skills for Scottish Enterprise. He said: " 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 executive director of Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation Trust, and from 1984-2001 was a partner at PwC.