Jessica O'ConnorCroydon Council has become the first council in England to be awarded the CIPD’s People Development Partner (PDP) recognition.
The CIPD applauded the council’s commitment to staff development amid a broader transformation context.
Croydon Council has undergone extensive organisational reform, implementing governance, financial, and operational improvements following a challenging past involving statutory intervention and financial distress.
The award aims to highlight Croydon’s renewed focus on workplace culture, leadership visibility, and employee engagement.
In its briefing to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the council underscored the critical role of staff development initiatives in boosting institutional culture and governance standards – factors central to earning the PDP accolade.
Matt Gofton, employer solutions manager at CIPD, said: “Croydon recognised that the only way forward was to build the capability of the workforce they already had, starting with their HR and OD teams.”
Dean Shoesmith, chief people officer at Croydon Council, added: “The CIPD’s insight was invaluable.
“It helped us take a step back and reflect and give our teams the tools they need to rise to the challenges ahead.”
