Leeds BID hires management team to help invest £12m in city

A SENIOR management team has been unveiled for the Leeds Business Improvement District, voted upon earlier this year.

Last month the BID named Andrew Cooper as its new chief executive, who had proven his credentials after leading the Bath BID in its first five years.

The BID will be an independent company limited by guarantee, and the management team will be responsible for investing more than £12m in marketing and revamping Leeds city centre.

The new management team includes Martin Dickson, head of marketing who worked for EMI records promoting celebrities such as Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and the Spice Girls. He is now head of market research, communications and corporate reputation at Leeds City College.

Karen Butler is to be the head of place management with Leeds BID, and has been involved in the refurbishment of the Victoria Quarter and THe Light, as well as the pedestrianisation of Briggate.

She is deputy city centre manager in Leeds for the city council

Prew Lumley will be chair of the board supported by Andrew Latchmore, Sarah Dear, Helen Green, Sam Perry, Sandy Needham and Leeds councillor, Richard Lewis.

The management team and board start work next month.