Greenwich children's services lead awarded CBE in New Year Honours

Florence Kroll, Royal Greenwich’s Director for Children’s Services, has been awarded a CBE for her services to education in the New Year Honours 2025.

Florence has been a Director in Greenwich since 2016, leading on the delivery of vital services and support for children, young people and their families. Last year the service was deemed Outstanding by Ofsted.

Since qualifying as a social worker in 1991, Florence has worked in several councils and settings – always with the dedication to young people at the core of her career.

Florence has been involved in innovative projects to deal with some of the toughest issues facing young people and their families, such as teenage mental health and wellbeing, or looking for new ways to deal with domestic abuse.

Florence said: “I am very honoured to have been awarded a CBE. This is a reflection of all the hard work, care and compassion that staff in Greenwich show young people day in, day out.

“For me the true honour is being a part of a team that is so centred on improving the lives of children, and helping them get the best start in life. There’s nothing I can think of more rewarding than that, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone in Royal Greenwich who help us achieve that goal.”

Councillor Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People: “I’d like to congratulate Florence on this incredible honour. For nearly a decade in Royal Greenwich, she has shown strong leadership and an ambitious vision for every young person in our borough to reach their full potential. This unwavering commitment has made a real difference to the lives of countless young people and their families, and I am thrilled that Florence’s impact is being recognised not just in Greenwich, but beyond.

Debbie Warren, Chief Executive for Royal Greenwich, said: "Florence’s expertise and guidance has steered our Children’s Services to an Outstanding Ofsted, which is a huge achievement in itself. But beyond that, Florence chairs our EDI steering group and constantly looks to promote and champion diversity and inclusion in our council. I have great admiration for Florence’s leadership and vision and am proud she puts them to good use here in Greenwich.”

New community coffee shop opens in Catford

Anewshort-term community coffee shop in the heart of Catford Shopping Centre has opened.

Gaff started out as a Deptford Market coffee stall and now runs three locations.

The sudden closure of Catford Mews has been disappointing for the community and Lewisham Council has been working with Catford Regeneration Partnership Ltd and Gaff to quickly open this new space while CRPL continues to secure a new operator for the Catford Mews.

The newly launched space in Catford offers affordable coffee, tea, sweet and savoury food options and showcases the work of Lewisham artists such as Trevor Burgess.

Gaff is also using the new space to offer specialist barista training and employment for Lewisham residents at a London Living Wage. This has been facilitated by the council’s award-winning Lewisham Works employment service and three residents have already started their training.

The council has funded the fit-out of the new space and used local contractors to turn the previously vacant space into a warm and inviting space for the Catford community.

Sophie Carter, Gaff’s Catford Site Manager, said: "We are excited to be working with Lewisham Council to run this affordable temporary community coffee shop. We are excited to offer up our walls for Lewisham artists to showcase their work and are open to working with any community groups who would like to meet in the new space.”

Councillor Kim Powell, Cabinet Member for Business, Jobs and Skills, said: "We are working hard to improve our town centres, high streets and local business community because we know that when Lewisham businesses thrive, so does our whole borough.

“Gaff’s commitment to offering affordable food and drink options, training the next generation of baristas and even offering free coffee for NHS staff during the pandemichighlights just how community-minded their business is.”