Simon Hoar has previous experience as a Croydon Councillor having represented Waddon from 2006 to 2014 (part of which along Pampisford Road joins the new Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown ward). During his time on the Council he served as the Cabinet Member for Regeneration in 2010 and then as the Cabinet Member for Community Safety from 2011-2014, where he oversaw licensing, environmental enforcement, food safety, bereavement services and the Council's work with the emergency services.

Simon lives locally and has been a Purley Oaks resident since 2005, but has lived in Croydon since childhood, having gone to school first at Selsdon primary, then Riddlesdown and finally John Ruskin college.

Whilst a Councillor he served as a school governor at Haling Manor, St Giles, Harris Academy Purley and at his old school, Selsdon primary. Simon is particularly keen to represent Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown having gone to the high school and lived in the area of the new ward for the last 13 years.