Croydon Council welcomes Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed to the cabinet next week, appointed as cabinet member for economy and jobs with effect from Thursday 1 February.

She succeeds Councillor Mark Watson, who is standing down from the cabinet following his decision not to seek re-election in May.

Councillor Shahul-Hameed has been a member of the council since 2006, when she was elected as ward councillor for Broad Green. She is currently chair of the health and wellbeing board and will be replaced by Councillor Maggie Mansell, who has held this role previously.

“I’m delighted to welcome Councillor Shahul-Hameed as the new cabinet member for economy and jobs. She brings to this role a wealth of experience and local knowledge across a wide range of areas, having served previously as shadow cabinet member for education, chair of the health and wellbeing board’ and as a former Mayor of Croydon.

“We are sorry to lose Councillor Watson, who has made a significant contribution to Croydon in the more than 10 years he has been involved with the council, including the current turnaround in our economy and inward investment. He also brought Croydon its first Pride festival and has played a key role in helping to transform our borough into the modern and exciting place that it is today.”

Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council