Set to open in 2019, Croydon’s Legacy youth zone was without someone to run the business.

That was until this week when Barnabas Shelbourne was hired as its chief executive.

Much of the work Mr Shelbourne has done in his career leading up to this point has revolved around the volunteer sector, and he is excited to step into this new role.

"What we really want to do is make sure we get that core offer right and spending time in Wigan, and other youth zones across the network, will help me understand how to make Legacy as great and inspiring as possible for Croydon’s young people," he said.”

He mentions Wigan as the Mr Shelbourne will spend the first six months in his job working at Wigan Youth Zone as deputy chief executive before returning to London in the summer where he will work with OnSide to assist the ongoing revenue fund-raising campaign for Legacy.

Councillor Alisa Flemming was excited to see the youth zone progress.

“As we welcome on board the new chief executive for Croydon’s Legacy youth zone, it’s great to see this ambitious project move another step closer to becoming a reality," she said.

"Croydon Council is really proud to be delivering this fantastic facility for all of Croydon’s young people in partnership with OnSide and I cannot wait to see it open.”