Game On for Growth and our NextGen Panel

This year’s Develop Croydon Conference, themed “Croydon: Game On”, brought together business leaders, our local politicians and community voices to chart the next chapter for the Borough. Held on 6 November 2025 at Fairfield Halls, The Croydon Project team were out in force contributing to panels on unlocking the building of new homes and the importance of the ‘fun economy’ to the town centre.

There was also a Croydon Project Keynote Update on our masterplan and improvements to the town centre. The URW team of Adam Smith, Tim Hurstwyn and Prue Hay were joined by our NextGen Panel members Hannan Ismail and Yana Bernton.

The panellists spoke about their experiences since joining the panel in early 2025 and the sessions they have attended. Hannan went on to talk about the July 2025 public space co-design workshops and the conclusions the panel made about the importance of these spaces. Yana spoke about the skills she has gained, interest in the built environment and then finished up with her inspiring vision of Croydon in the future.

The wider conference programme featured insights from key local organisations including Crystal Palace and Gatwick Airport, alongside thought-provoking keynote addresses from Mayor Jason Perry and Howard Dauber. These sessions explored themes such as the role of sport in placemaking, connectivity and strategic priorities for the future of the Borough.

A fixture in Croydon’s calendar, Develop Croydon remains a vital forum for collaboration, innovation, and ambition – reinforcing confidence in Croydon’s future as a thriving destination for business and community.

The Croydon Project NextGen Panel is a youth panel made up of local people aged 16-25 who are working with us every step of the way towards the masterplan for the town centre. Click on the NextGen tab to find out more about their work, read the reports or register your interest in joining.