Author: Ollie Cowan

Southport Business Improvement District (BID) is looking to recruit a new Chief Executive and voluntary Director’s to lead them through their second five-year term, which begins this November.

Having received a successful yes vote from the businesses within the town centre this June, Southport BID’s vision for their second term is to make a meaningful difference to the future of Southport.

By working in partnership, the BID’s main aim will be to work to help make Southport a forward-facing town.

Representing over 740 businesses of all sizes in the town centre, the BID will use the money invested from them via a levy, to deliver projects designed to make Southport greener, cleaner and safer, to add value to the town through events and to attract and support new and existing business.

Newly appointed interim Chair of the BID, Susannah Porter, knows there are big challenges ahead but says the team of passionate and committed Directors are feeling confident and positive about what can be delivered, “We are grateful for the show of support the levy payers gave us in voting for a second term.

“We know there have been challenges but we are determined to evolve and build on the achievements of the first five years and make Southport an inspiring place to live, work, shop and invest.

“We will be listening closely to the views of the levy payers to make sure the projects we invest in represent their priorities for the town.

“As such will be undertaking a consultation project over the coming weeks and will introduce working groups going forward to give people a chance to tell us, be heard and be actively involved in our projects.

“We want to work harder to talk to our levy payers and the wider Southport Community, constructively and positively. We are also looking for more stakeholders with the core skills to support our Management team to join our Board of Directors”

The Southport BID Board is made up of representatives from the local business community who offer their time and expertise to oversee the activity of the BID.

All BID Directors are unpaid in their role. Susannah says “we are applying a rigorous application process to ensure we find the very best candidates with the skills, experience and knowledge to help oversee the development of project ideas, drive investment and engagement whilst ensuring value is delivered to levy payers”.

Ahead of the new term, the BID will also recruit a new CEO to replace Hugh Evans, who recently retired. They hope to have someone in place once the new term begins and are looking for a candidate with experience in place management, who has the skill set to drive the BID, and Southport, forward with vision and strategic thinking.

To launch the new term, the BID will host their annual AGM on the 14th November. The event will host with key note industry speakers and will provide a chance for levy payers to meet the team of Directors and find out more about the plans for the next five years. Full details of the event will be announced soon on their website.

Southport BID was re-elected for a second term in June of this year following a successful ballot result. Each eligible property received a ballot paper and a 58% yes vote was returned. The new term officially begins on the 1st November this year and runs until 2019. More details of the ballot process and the BID’s current project can be found on their website – southportbid.com.

The Board ask that all potential applicants for the CEO or Director roles should head to the website to find out more about the positions or how to get apply.

Susannah is available on chair@southportbid.com – and as someone who lives and works within the town centre, she is always happy and willing to meet business owners with any questions or feedback.