A new board will be unveiled today (Thursday, December 10) at Harrogate Business Improvement District’s (BID) Annual General Meeting.
Acting Chair, Sara Ferguson, and Interim Manager, Simon Kent, will present an overview of the events of 2020, plus a financial update, to BID members and levy payers attending this afternoon’s event.
The meeting will also officially introduce five new Board members, Bokum Chan, Nick Hubbert, Jim Mossman, Dan Siddle and Lesley Wild. As they were the only members to stand for election, there was no requirement for a ballot.
Whilst both Mr Mossman and Mrs Wild have been cop-opted members since the summer, they have not been Board members.
It will also be officially announced that Mr Kent will be standing down from his position as Interim Manager, but will stay until a new Manager has taken up their post.
The new Board consists of the following members:
- Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals
- Bokmun Chan, Studley Hotel & Orchid Restaurant
- Sara Ferguson, Sasso & Caffe Marconi
- Martin Gerrard, Barclays Bank
- Nick Hubbert, Hoopers
- Jim Mossman, Cold Bath Brewing Co
- Dan Siddle, Crown Hotel
- Andrea Thornborrow, Primark
- Wayne Topley, Cedar Court Hotel.
- Richard Wheeldon, Berwins
- Lesley Wild, Bettys
- Karl Battersby, North Yorkshire Country Council
- Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council
- PC Alex Sellars, North Yorkshire Police
Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID Acting Chair, said: “When I decided to stand for the Harrogate BID Board just over 12 months ago, I never thought that I would be here, now, as it’s Acting Chair
“My reason for standing in the first place was because I’m passionate about Harrogate. And being the owner of two town centre businesses I have a vested interest in the ongoing success of Harrogate.
“I’ll admit the last 12 months has certainly had its ups and downs. However, we have weathered these storms and I’m very pleased and proud of what we achieved this year. Words have become actions and we are delivering the aims of our businesses plan.
“Our sights are now fixed on the coming 12, 24 and 36 months. Our job has only just begun, and we still have a lot more to do.
“I would like to thank all the Board Directors and our two co-opted members for their support, and look forward to working alongside the new Board over the coming 12 months.”
Sara added: “We have been extremely lucky to have had Simon Kent as our Interim BID Manager. He has been a tower of strength, and from day one got on with the job in hand. I’m delighted to say he’s agreed to stay with us until his successor has been found.”
The first job of the board at its inaugural meeting will be to elect a Chair and Deputy Chair. The position of Harrogate BID Manager will be advertised on the Harrogate BID website in the next week.