Canterbury BID invites nominations to the Board of Directors at the beginning of every BID five year term to serve on the Board. The current term runs until September 2024. Elections for the Board ran from Monday 15 March to Thursday 1 April 2021, conducted online by Choice Voting, an independent elections specialist company.
There were 21 candidates for the 15 elected positions available. The results are as follows:
| No Places | Sector | Successful Candidate |
| 1 | National Retail | Simon Youden |
| 1 | Independent Retail | David Lilford |
| 1 | Night time economy | Jon Mills |
| 1 | Hospitality | Joanna Richardson |
| 2 | Business/professional Services | Alexandra Gordon |
| Business/professional Services | Karl Elliott | |
| 9 | General | Blake McCaskill |
| General | Clare Millett | |
| General | Clive Relf | |
| General | Dan Grimwood | |
| General | David Lewis | |
| General | Mark Pegg | |
| General | Paul Turner | |
| General | Rachel Sanders | |
| General | Sarah Wren |
Whilst six of the positions are explicitly for certain sectors and so can only be filled by a levy payer from those sectors, it is the responsibility of all directors to ensure the strategic delivery of the BID’s business plan between now and the end of our term in September 2024. They are not only representing their business sectors, but also their part of the city and their networks, and will be taking proactive responsibility in supporting the BID team to deliver projects and initiatives that will benefit the city.
Further details of the successful candidates can be found below and more information on the nomination and selection process can be found here.
The Candidates
Name: Alexandra Gordon (New Director))
Business: Brachers
Job title: Partner
Sector representation: Business / Professional Services
I know and understand the city as a student, worker (10 years) and resident (17 years). I consider myself to be well-connected and an active member of the Canterbury business community. This has helped me build an understanding of what businesses need to thrive in the city. I am an experienced and enthusiastic networker, president of the Kent Law Society, and I actively support local charities, particularly those working with the vulnerable. I would like to ensure that BID strategies are supportive of those less fortunate in the city.
Name: Blake McCaskill (Returning Director)
Business: Republic Events
Job title: Director
Sector representation: Hospitality and Night Time Economy
My work within the Night Time Economy is unique as I work as a promoter under my brands Student Republic and City Sound Project rather than a venue owner. I have relationships and partnerships with multiple venues and represent them through my work. Again this gives me a broad experience and an ear-to-the-ground, enabling me to report from a certain perspective. It also aids Purple Flag assessments, communications and relations. I am dedicated to working in the interest of BID levy payers, and helping to deliver the BID’s business plan.
Name: Clare Millett (Returning Director)
Business: Westgate Hall
Job title: Director
Sector representation: Hospitality
I was delighted to be voted onto the BID Board 3 years ago and commit to its objectives. I am passionate about Canterbury – I’ve adopted it since leaving London. Westgate Hall is a significant venue and business for all our city’s communities. It is now considered “a pillar of the city!”
Name: Clive Relf (Returning Director)
Business: Kreston Reeves
Job title: Partner
Sector representation: Business / Professional Services
As an employer of 150 in the city and a keen enthusiast for “all things Canterbury” I’m in a phase of my career where I would like to “give back”. I’m also conscious that I need to mentor a successor as the BID’s Chair so would value another term as director to achieve this.
Name: Dan Grimwood (Returning Director)
Business: Refectory Kitchen
Job title: Owner
Sector representation: Hospitality
I care about the future prosperity of Canterbury and its businesses. I feel I can add real value in being able to represent on the Board the many small independents, especially in the area hospitality of which Canterbury has so many. After running a business in St Dunstan’s for the last 17 years I see myself as a link between the BID and this important part of the city.
Name: David Lewis (New Director)
Business: Café des Amis / Café du Soleil
Job title: Director
Sector representation: Hospitality and Night Time Economy
I have been running busy hospitality businesses in Canterbury for over 20 years. I have a deep commitment to the city, understand how the economy in it works and what it needs to help it to continue to grow. Having lived here much of my life, but also having moved around and travelled widely, I have a strong sense of what makes Canterbury a great and unique place both for locals and visitors alike.
Name: David Lilford (Returning Director)
Business: Lilford Gallery
Job title: Director
Sector representation: Independent Retail
I believe strongly in the effectiveness of working together as a team and the BID is the ideal platform for us all to get together and work to help Canterbury develop and grow as a city. I feel it’s vital to contribute representing, not just the independent retail sector in the city, but also the King’s Mile Quarter and the Castle Quarters where I have businesses.
Name: Joanna Richardson (New Director)
Business: Shepherd Neame
Job title: Head of Marketing, Brands and Communications
Sector representation: Hospitality and Night Time Economy
With 6 pubs within the Canterbury BID area, over 300 pubs in the South East and brewing heritage in nearby Faversham since 1698, Shepherd Neame has an extensive footprint to promote both Canterbury and Kent to a wide audience. I lead the marketing strategy across the pub estate, visitor centre and international beer business and have played an extensive role in developing the relationship with the BID and various partners and cross-business initiatives within the Canterbury area. As a Canterbury resident I am fully committed to helping drive the BID agenda and supporting the return to a new normal.
Name: Jon Mills (New Director)
Business: The Foundry
Job title: Owner
Sector representation: Hospitality and Night Time Economy
I have worked in Canterbury for over 25 years in a diverse number of roles. I think this gives me unique knowledge and experience of a number of areas that are of importance to BID. I have owned three pubs in the City and continue with The Foundry Brew Pub which is not only a very busy restaurant and bar but is turning into a real tourist attraction. We are running at 85% tourism during the Covid crisis.
Name: Karl Elliott (Returning Director)
Business: Clague Architects
Job title: Managing Partner
Sector representation: Business / Professional Services
I am currently a Board Director of Canterbury BID and have decided to put forward my name for a second term. As managing Partner of Clague Architects based in central Canterbury we have an affinity with the place and the spaces in which we live and work. Over my time in Canterbury, I have witnessed many changes.
Name: Mark Pegg (New Director)
Business: Loake Shoemakers
Job title: Head of Business
Sector representation: Independent Retail
As an experienced retail manager who has worked in the city for over 20 years, I believe I bring valuable understanding of the challenges and opportunities that face the city. I have worked closely with the BID through representing the Cathedral Quarter and already sit on the BID’s Events and Marketing Sub Committee. I have always been a firm supporter of the BID and believe that it has a vital role in the city.
Name: Paul Turner (Returning Director)
Business: The Marlowe
Job title: Director of Finance
Sector representation: Hospitality and Night Time Economy
As a qualified chartered accountant with the ACCA and in my role as the Director of Finance at the Marlowe Theatre I understand the importance of governance in any organisation, even more so when it is the public’s money that is being spent. To this end I have volunteered to chair the BID Finance Sub Committee for the last two years to ensure that policies and practices are in place to ensure that the appropriate use of funds for our Levy payers.
Name: Rachel Sanders (New Director)
Business: BoConcept
Job title: Franchisee
Sector representation: Independent Retail
I believe that by collaborating with other business, together, we can create a better city centre. In these extraordinary times we require a different approach, that is innovative and can capture the imagination of the local population. Our city is for residents, students, tourists, the Cathedral, businesses and the broader Kent population and therefore a diverse set of propositions are required.
Name: Sarah Wren (New Director)
Business: Oscar and Bentleys
Job title: Owner
Sector representation: Hospitality and Night Time Economy
I have been running my restaurant, Oscar & Bentleys for over seven years, having previously run a construction company. I have a plethora of skills that I believe will be a useful addition to the board. As an industry we are lobbying for representation at government level, I relish the opportunity to be part of the recovery program at local level, where our BID will be leading from the front.
Name: Simon Youden (New Director)
Business: Fenwick
Job title: Store Director
Sector representation: National Retail
I have over 30 Years’ senior experience including working at Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Bicester Village Shopping Collection. I have demonstrated in the roles that I have held that building a network of connections both internally and externally is vital to the success of driving the continual improvement and development of local communities through an inclusive and collaborative team approach to the challenges we face: Now more than ever in these uncertain times has retail the opportunity to become a forward-thinking part of local life which in turn will make for positive improvements for our city of Canterbury.
