Croydon Council has announced the appointment of Alison Johnson, a prominent local faith leader and educator, as the Independent Chair of the borough's £20 million Pride in Place Programme board.
The appointment, confirmed in an official council statement on 4 September 2026, marks a significant step in the community-led initiative. Johnson, who has been a resident of Croydon for over 30 years, has a long history of local service, including leading Torchlight Ministries and co-chairing the Local Community Partnership for Croydon Central West.
A hyper-local focus on community regeneration
The Pride in Place Programme is a long-term regeneration initiative designed to invest £20 million over ten years into hyper-local community improvements. The funding is aimed at revitalising high streets, enhancing public spaces, and strengthening community involvement in local decision-making.
While the flagship £20 million scheme is heavily focused on New Addington North, the wider Pride in Place initiative also includes a £1.5 million Impact Fund distributed across 15 communities borough-wide. This includes previously announced public realm improvements along Norbury’s Green Lane shopping parade and St Helens Green, which are slated for completion by March 2027.
Community-led decision making
In her new voluntary role, Johnson will lead the independent board responsible for deciding how the long-term funding is allocated. According to Croydon Council, the board's structure is designed to put decision-making power directly into the hands of local residents and community stakeholders rather than central council administrators.
Executive Mayor Jason Perry welcomed the appointment, stating that Johnson's deep roots in the community and extensive experience in local advocacy make her uniquely qualified to guide the programme's investments. Croydon West MP Sarah Jones has also previously supported the hyper-local funding model, noting that resident feedback has consistently highlighted the need for cleaner, better-maintained green spaces and high streets.
"The Pride in Place programme is about putting our communities first, with long-term funding and real power given to those who know their neighbourhoods best," the council statement noted.
Local residents interested in the progress of the Pride in Place initiatives in Norbury and across Croydon can find further details and updates on the official Croydon Council planning and regeneration portal.