White Label’s Community Interest Company, Develop Croydon, has finished fifth in an industry list of the top 50 collaborators in real estate.

Put together by well-respected property magazine Estates Gazette, the list showcases “those in the industry working hard together with peers, politicians, the public and technology to deliver an improved public realm and property sector.”

Rating in the top five of the list is no small achievement for Develop Croydon who finished ahead of some huge names, such as: MIPIM, the European Union, Transport for London, WiredScore and Argent Related.

Formed by White Label in 2010, Develop Croydon brings together in excess of 60 businesses, partners, agencies and individuals whose main aim is to promote the town as a location to invest, work and live.

The EG team were impressed with the broad range of partners – across the private and public sector – represented in the Forum, and pointed to Croydon’s impressive transformation over the past decade as proof of its success.

“Croydon has come a long way over the past eight years, with £1m penthouses, a Boxpark, growing office rents and, finally, commitment from John Lewis to open a store there,” read the EG editorial.

“The south London town’s development has been driven by Develop Croydon, which has managed to bring together 67 members to enable its £5.25bn regeneration programme.

“In 2010, Croydon was struggling with two major issues: the downturn in the economic climate coupled with the long-term decline of a borough suffering from a perception of neglect. The Develop Croydon forum was created to try to change this perception and drive the town’s regeneration by bringing together public and private sector stakeholders.”

Richard Plant Chairman of Develop Croydon said ‘’We have seen a major transformation over the past few years and it has been so rewarding to be part of it.’’

The list was topped by The Recruitment & Skills Centre Partnership, from Edinburgh.

Earlier this year, Develop Croydon were shortlisted for the Collaborators Award at the EG Awards evening.