BedfordBID Board

BedfordBID YOUR BID YOUR BOARD

The governance of the BedfordBID is undertaken by the Executive Director, a team of levy/business rates-paying large and small businesses plus 'observers' who volunteer to sit on the BedfordBID Board. Members of the board share their responsibilities while acting in the interest of the BedfordBID Company. Each member is expected to make recommendations based on his or her experience and vantage point in the community. A credible and professional board, made up of the following members from national chains and independent businesses with local and industry expertise including retail marketing and tourism.

BedfordBID BOARD of Directors

The Directors meet approximately on a six weekly basis to scrutinise performance, financial updates and ongoing issues etc.

BedfordBID open session

All BedfordBID board meetings start with a half hour ‘open’ session when all businesses in the BedfordBID area are invited to meet with the Directors.

BedfordBID Board Members

Samantha Laycock (Harpur Centre Manager and Chair of BedfordBID Board of Directors)

Born and bred in Bedford, Samantha’s career began in retail before joining the shopping centre management team at the Harpur Centre. After graduating in 2010, Samantha became the Centre Manager of the Bedford and Huntingdon shopping centres and held the voluntary position of Director on both BIDs. Samantha was voted in as the Chair of Love Bedford in 2016 and has continued to hold the position due to her passion, strong relationships and valuable town centre experience. She is a member of Revo (British Council of Shopping Centres) and holds various industry qualifications including IOSH, First Aid, Leadership and Management, World Host accreditation and the Diploma of Shopping Centre Management. Samantha has recently been recognised for various community and business awards for going beyond and extra during unprecedented times.

CONTACT:
Harpur Centre, Bedford MK40 1TJ
Tel. 01234 357330
Email. sam.laycock@harpurcentre.co.uk

Martin Keys (Gallone's Ice Cream Parlour and Deputy Chair of BedfordBID Board of Directors)

“Since opening my business in Bedford, I have more recently made the town my home.

“I see, understand and support the passionate drive the BedfordBID team have to make the town a great place to visit.

“I see the role of the Board as being an exciting, challenging and dynamic opportunity to help shape a better, brighter future for Bedford. We need to work together now more than ever.”

CONTACT:

Gallone's Ice Cream Parlour, Edwardian Arcade

Tel 07804 655021

Shaun Barnett (Leaders Lettings)

Shaun Barnett of Leaders Lettings, who are positioned in a gateway position at No 100 High Street, joined the board in July 2021 and was appointed Director of the BedfordBID Board in January 2022.

Brought up in the North Bedfordshire village of Bolnhurst, where his family based their Kart Racing business, Shaun decided to take a different career path and has worked in the Bedford property market since leaving school in 2005.

Shaun is a highly qualified property expert, having gained the Association of Residential Lettings Agents Level 4 certificate in Residential Letting and Property Management in 2013. At the time, he was one of only 23 letting agents in the UK to hold this prestigious qualification. He has also passed the National Federation of Property Professional industry qualification.

Running Leaders Lettings Shaun witnessed first-hand the fantastic work of BedfordBID and jumped at the chance to be involved and support his beloved hometown.

Shaun comments: “The change in Bedford, the High Street and Riverside amenities has been incredible over the last decade and I am excited to be involved in the next steps for our town. With an influx of demand for city living and café culture, the future of our town and the high street is bright.

“With so many fantastic local businesses and the significant improvements to the infrastructure, Bedford really is an exciting place to live, work and play”

CONTACT:
Leaders, 100 High St, Bedford MK40 1NN
Tel. 01234 320082
Email. SBarnett@leaders.co.uk

Tony Moliterno (Mayfair)

Tony Moliterno is from a group of business entrepreneurs linked to the name Mayfair in Lurke Street, Bedford.

The expansive office building is home to the company where Tony works: Mayfair Financial & Mortgage Consultants.

Tony was new to the idea of a Business Improvement District when he started work in Bedford, and was most impressed when he found BID team could cut through all the red tape to have graffiti removed from his premises and resolve a car parking permit issue, which affected many.

He decided to step-up and volunteer to become a member of the Board. In doing so, Tony is helpful voice for the office sector in the town centre.

“I’ve been very impressed with how the BID can get things done which otherwise would have left me sitting on the phone for hours. They know who to talk to.

“I am proud to see so many independent businesses in Bedford and want to help them thrive.”

CONTACT:

11 Lurke Street Bedford

Tel 01234 214460

Dave Roffey (Bedford College)

Bedford College is making its Director of Revenues Dave Roffey available to be part of the Board which governs the BedfordBID.

The town centre college is a major levy-payer within the Business Improvement District and on top of that has ensured more than £600,000 has gone into local tills by buying ONLY Love Bedford vouchers as rewards for staff and students.

In addition, the 1,000s of Bedford College students and staff who pour across the Town Bridge account for a third of money spent in the town Monday- Friday, effectively keeping some of the businesses afloat.

Dave has worked at Bedford College for over 10 years and lives in Shefford.

“Like many people living outside of the town centre I have a choice where to shop at weekends and think it is important that the BID keeps people coming into Bedford. Like most Bedford College staff I have enjoyed receiving Love Bedford vouchers and being able to pop into town to redeem them at a wide range of outlets. I am looking forward to learning more about how the BID supports the town centre.”

CONTACT:
Director of Revenues, Bedford College, Cauldwell Street MK42 9AH
Tel. 01234 291000
Email. droffey@bedford.ac.uk

Christina Rowe (BedfordBID - Director)

A non resident of Bedford but with a passion to be part of a major new impetus needed to recover the town centre's past position, and in the longer term, grow relative to competitor towns.

An experienced marketer with over 30 years’ experience in working with SME’s, the retail property management and place making sector. Previous Directorships include the Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre Association, Milton Keynes Theatre and Gallery Company, Chair of DMO Destination:MK and lead tutor & examiner secondment to the University College of Estates Management’s BCSC Diploma in Shopping Centre Management . Successes range from organising the first ever collaborative marketing campaign for Milton Keynes and winner of various national and international marketing and customer service awards. I hope to help build Bedford's offer as distinctive from its larger competitors so it can assume a complementary position in the retail hierarchy. I also aim to develop as a destination and to help accentuate the paramount importance of the town centre's role in the region and strengthened to enhance its attractiveness by broadening the role of the town centre beyond shopping towards being a great place for people to spend time – work, visit, stay and live.

CONTACT:
BedfordBID, 1 Lurke St, Bedford MK40 3TN
Tel. 01234 404500
Email. christina@b edfordbid.co.uk

Dean Thompson (Bedford Swan Hotel)

The Bedford Swan Hotel’s General Manager is Dean Thompson. He oversees the hotel and it’s Pen & Cob Brasserie on The Embankment, Bedford

Dean has worked in hospitality since a teenager. He has been with the Distinct Group since 2016, overseeing the refurbishment of the Hotel Cromwell in Stevenage, and is now in charge of both hotels in the portfolio.

He worked for Manor of Groves and became Cluster General Manager when the group grew, looking after Shendish Manor and Regency Park hotels, which incorporated hotels with leisure and golf.

He has also worked for Accor, Initial Style Conferences, and De Vere Venues.

CONTACT:
The Swan Hotel and Pen & Cob Brasserie The Embankment, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK40 1RW
Email. dean@distinctgroup.co.uk

Greg Warwick (Jeeves Gentleman's Hair & Grooming Salon)

Not only am I passionate about Bedford as a community and a town, I’m also very passionate about its future.

I’ve run a business on the High Street for over 17 years and know most of the other High Street business owners and understand both the benefits and the difficulties the internet has brought.

I have also seen many changes... and their consequences in Bedford.

As a former Director of Bedford BID who has attended almost every meeting during my Directorship, I have a very good insight into what the BID can achieve. As we are looking to the future and possible changes to the High Street it must be a good thing to have the thoughts and ideas from the very merchants who bring the wealth into the town. I know that I would be an asset to Bedford Town by way of the Bedford BID and will be able to represent the views of the Traders in the High Street and together, we will shape Bedford’s future.

CONTACT:
80 High Street, Bedford MK40 1NN
Tel. 01234 215050
Email. greg@fireballrally.co.uk