LeedsBID has strengthened its Board with a number of key appointments.

Following its AGM held this month, there has been the appointment of a new chair and vice chairs as well as new key members to the LeedsBID Board.

The LeedsBID Board is a collection of the city’s leaders and influencers from a cross section of business sectors ranging from office, education and public to retail, hospitality, and leisure which the Business Improvement District represents. The Board provides strong governance, strategic direction and oversees the delivery of LeedsBID’s ambitious business plan Chapter 3 2025-2030 for its next five years.

Current Board member and Centre Director at Trinity Leeds Steve Foster has taken over as Chair of the Board. With over 25 years in the leisure and retail sectors, Steve previously headed up the retail team at Manchester Airports Group and oversaw the opening of White Rose’s £25 million leisure development The Village in 2017 – where he is also centre director.

Jane Brodie, Senior HR Leader at StepChange, a Leeds-based charity providing debt free advice, and Paul Ellison, Managing Director of Yorkshire Design Group, a city-centre based property development and management company, will be supporting Steve, having been appointed Vice Chairs.

LeedsBID represents the biggest business voice in the city, leading collaborating across all sectors and its board reflects that diversity, ensuring it acts in the businesses interests of all.

“I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of LeedsBID, appointed by the Board Directors, supporting Andrew and the team in the delivery of the ambitious business plan over the BID’s third term. Having been on the board for two years, I have seen the direct value the BID has driven into the city, from the operational teams on the streets to the inspirational summer animations.  Working with Board Directors from all sectors, the Business Improvement District is about collaboration and coming together for the collective good, and I am pleased to be part of this,” Steve Foster said.

In addition, new appointments to the LeedsBID Board include Dr Oliver Bray, who is Dean of Leeds School of Arts at Leeds Beckett University. He is joined by Founder / Co-Founder of North Bar John Gyngell.

LeedsBID Chief Executive Andrew Cooper, who is now an Executive Director on the LeedsBID Board, said: “LeedsBID represents the biggest business voice in the city, leading collaborating across all sectors and our board reflects that diversity, ensuring the Business Improvement Districts acts in interests of all.

 These new appointments strengthen the wealth of experience & expertise, overseeing the governance of LeedsBID over its next term as it continues to be ‘place first’ organisation strengthening the city of Leeds.