(RELEASED: 12 June 2009 )
In-depth interview with Tony Kildare

Tony Kildare, new CEO of the new Croydon Economic Development Company (EDC), is in absolutely no doubt about his ultimate goal - it is, he says, "to drive forward the economic development effort to take Croydon from ‘good' to ‘great'."

And Tony, who started work at the end of May, is in no doubt about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.  He's also keen to stress that his ambitions for Croydon go well beyond the borough's boundaries.

"For me it isn't just about Croydon," he says.  "It's about Croydon and South London, Croydon's place in the wider London economy, potentially as a city in its own right, and its standing nationally and internationally too.  International connections are important - because that's the nature of business today."

"My job is to drive forward Croydon ‘the brand' as well as Croydon's economy," he says, "working with partners to help punch above our weight beyond our geographical boundaries."

"From what I know of the borough already, I can see that Croydon has the will and the talent to transform its economy." He says.  "There is strong support and enthusiasm from the business community, developers, social enterprise, investors, Croydon Council, Councillors as well as the Mayor of London.  I can see opportunities for Croydon and South London to become one of the key London ‘Superhubs', an economic driver for the City, in the same way that East London is raising its game through the 2012 Olympics.  The key is to harness the enthusiasm, power and ambition of Croydon's business, public and voluntary sector partners.''

"I can see the power of partnerships in Croydon", he says.  "It's clear that the business partnerships, for example, helped win the original LEGI funding in 2005 and they are still in place, delivering now."                                                            

Tony knows a thing or two about partnerships.  Six years ago, as Chief Executive of Renaissance South Yorkshire he set up a five year, £1.5billion regeneration programme that led to the building of what is now Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster, as well as a number of other significant economic projects and business districts.

It was a major achievement that involved forging links with central and local government, businesses and investors, as well as European Union funding bodies.

But he is anxious to stress the contribution of others.  "Yes, I played a key role as CEO," he says, "but I had a great team and many enthusiastic partners."

Developing positive relationships with a variety of partners from different sectors is clearly important for the way Tony works.  But what about coming to Croydon where those partnerships are already set up and delivering?

"I've no intention of starting over again; I see it as building on the solid partnership work and delivery success," he says.

Tony's CV sets out his track record of working with partners from local and central government, as well as local, regional and multinational businesses, Higher Education Institutions, public agencies and the European Union.

It's a quality that he brought to bear in his previous role as a Director for Government and Public Sector Business at global ‘professional services' firm, Ernst and Young (E&Y).

In that role he was in charge of a multimillion pound government, public sector and not for profit business.  But, again, he's keen to stress the contribution of his team.

"It was all about team work," he says, "my job was ‘client-facing', trying to understand where central government policy was moving, where public sector clients had challenges to address and where we were able to provide support and advice; putting together multi-disciplinary teams to deliver."

That role led to the delivery of a number of lucrative contracts for E&Y, but confidentiality agreements mean he cannot go into detail.

Tony's career shows him moving seamlessly between public and private sectors and back again.  So, does he see the tensions; the different ways of working, in a positive light?  But is it that public sector is slow to act and slow to take decisions and private sector fast and decisive?

"Of course there are similarities in many areas," he answers.  But, clearly there are differences, though these are becoming blurred.  In the current economic climate, all sectors face challenges.  In the private sector decisions can often be taken more quickly, but that's because there can be a need to move faster than the competition. It still means having to fully engage with shareholders and the board.  In the public sector there are responsibilities to stakeholders, funding partners and often to communities and tax payers for spending public money and for getting the ‘buy in' of people on the ground. This can take time."

So, does he see himself as a ‘public' or a ‘private sector' person?

"Neither," he shoots back. "I see myself as a businessman first and foremost who happens to be comfortable in both environments."

The new EDC will be completely independent, so how does Tony intend to ensure that he not only maintains that independence, but champions it?

"I am completely clear that the EDC is first and foremost an independent company, although Croydon Council will be a key partner along with a range of the other bodies who are vital in contributing to the aims and objectives," he says. "I will be responsible to the new EDC Chairman and Board who are absolutely committed to the development of Croydon.''

The new company will be different to Croydon Business Ltd, he says. "It is a new company, focused on economic development from skills and employment, business investment, marketing, strategic sites and the improvement of the underlying economic infrastructure. It will be providing leadership and expertise, working with business, investors and the public sector, to establish Croydon as an economic centre for the Capital and to address gaps in Croydon's economic offer.''

As an independent private sector-led company, the new EDC (a trading name hasn't been agreed yet) is being established as the lead delivery body for Croydon's Economic Development Strategy.

So what is Tony Kildare, the person, like?

He sees himself as a Scot, going to school and university north of the border, despite being born in Brighton.

His career has taken him from Scotland - he was Head of Industry and Skills for the prestigious national economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise, from 1995-1999 and on to the East Midlands where he was Executive Director of Economic Development for the East Midlands Development Agency.  His next move was to South Yorkshire, where he was Chief Executive for Renaissance South Yorkshire.

He moved further south in 2005 to work with Sir George Cox on a UK wide government review which addressed how businesses can meet the challenges of an increasingly globally competitive business environment. A key aim was looking at how design and creativity in manufacturing processes, products and services can be embedded to create competitive advantage for UK businesses. The Review made recommendations for changes to Government structures, policy and grant funding support for businesses and SMEs.

"It was a project that brought together three government departments - the-then Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and HM Treasury," he recalls.  "The project came out of Gordon Brown's interest, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, in making much more of the UK's leading edge design expertise to transform business and broker effective relationships."

"Our work, which became known as the Cox Report, continues to have relevance four years on, not just in the UK but in other parts of the world too," he added.

Tony also chaired the RDA (Regional Development Agency) Enterprise Directors' Forum and has a business background in tourism, leisure, entertainment, manufacturing and financial services.

A clue to Tony's approach to work is his description of himself as a ‘can do' individual who likes to get on and get things done.

He has a keen interest in sport, but what was something once enjoyed as a competitor - basketball, squash and gym work - is now mostly as supporter and spectator.

"When I can, outside of work, I like to spend time with my three sons, all of whom are keen sports fans and play various sports.

What's on his iPod?  "I've wide tastes," he says, "all the way from the Beatles to Vivaldi, but I suppose because I came of age in the eighties there's a lot of David Bowie, Queen, Eurythmics and so on.  A lot if it depends on what mood I'm in."

But he's keen to ask one question about Croydon.

"What does Croydon want to be famous for?" he asks. I am aware of Croydon's strategically advantageous location as a gateway to London and its significance as a commercial and retail centre with major employers such as Nestle, BT, Direct Line, Barclays, Mercer, the Home Office and the UK Border Agency are all located here ... and visitors do travel to Croydon for shopping and leisure.  The recently-created Council/private sector regeneration partnership is beginning to transform the centre of Croydon through the development of strategic sites and public space. From a business perspective, I look forward to hearing more about our advantages and selling points and to contributing to the collective development effort.''

What about his first few days as CEO of the Croydon Economic Development Company?

"I'll be listening attentively ... and I've got a lot of people to meet," he says.  "My board members, local business-leaders for example, and of course Croydon Council Chief Executive Jon Rouse.  I have been impressed with what is going on in Croydon and the changes which are already taking place through the Council's influence. I am really looking forward to working with Jon and his colleagues. I don't want to waste any time in getting to meet Croydon's partners from all sectors, because these men and women are central to the success of the EDC."

"I am excited by what is happening in Croydon and by planned developments and look forward to beginning the new role - the recession makes for challenging times, but with the ambition, energy and support of the public, private and third sector players in the borough, I think the timing is good for the creation of the EDC - it's going to be great for Croydon and I can't wait to get started."