Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID) elects new Chairman

Cambridge BID, the organisation that represents the interests of 1,100 city centre businesses, has elected a new Chairman. Ian Sandison, who has been a Cambridge BID Board Member since the inception of the organisation in April 2013, replaced outgoing Chairman Michael Wiseman on 12 May 2015.

 

A resident of the city for more than 12 years, Ian’s business interests span a number of sectors. As a co-Director of Cambridge fashion boutique Boudoir Femme, run by wife Pippa, he has a working understanding of the ongoing opportunities and challenges that face the city’s independent retailers. Ian contributes to various marketing and entrepreneurship programmes at Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University, as well as mentoring MBA students at the Judge Business School. He also works as a consultant in executive recruitment and in fundraising for medical technology companies.

Michael comments, “Ian will drive the work of Cambridge BID forwards with a clear sense of purpose and a strong commitment to ensuring that the needs of local businesses are met. Now that Cambridge BID is entering the third year of its initial five year term, it is appropriate for me to pass on the baton, and allow a new Chairman to scope out a second BID term and fine-tune the Board’s role in the leadership of this dynamic and influential organisation. It has been my pleasure to serve Cambridge as Chairman of Cambridge BID and I look forward to my ongoing involvement as a Board Member.”

Ian says, “The Directors of Cambridge BID and the management team wish to express publically our sincere thanks to Michael for the excellent work he has done in overseeing the groundwork required to establish Cambridge BID as an organisation that is well-equipped to address the needs of our city centre businesses. We have all benefitted from the time and expertise that he has contributed over the last two years.”

He continues: “Moving forwards, my priority will be to ensure the continued delivery - with excellence - of those projects that BID Area businesses voted for at the outset. I will also be seeking to encourage more face-to-face dialogue between BID Area businesses and the management team, to ensure that we work together effectively and deliver maximum benefit for the city centre over the years ahead.”

Two new Directors have recently joined the Cambridge BID Board, representing national businesses: Andy Campbell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, has volunteered for this role in order “to be part of the planned expansion of the City and to try to ensure we don't lose Cambridge's unique charm in the process.” Colin Jones, Managing Partner of Hewitsons, intends “to support the delivery of BID activities, in line with the firm’s ongoing commitment to community involvement".



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