Leading the BID industry
Leading the BID industry
The 2024 National BIDs Conference will take place on Thursday 7th November at 30 Euston Square.
This year’s Conference will celebrate two decades of delivery and growth, posing the question: what comes next? This theme sets the scene for an exploration of the future of the BID industry.
Our annual flagship event is an opportunity to meet with fellow industry leaders and professionals to exchange knowledge, discuss issues and interact in discussions.
Following the recent General Election, the Conference is well timed to host a range of interactive panel discussions that will cover a range of topics of significance to the industry.
We look forward to seeing you there.
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We hope you are able to join us in celebrating 20 years of BIDs.
The photo gallery from last years' Conference can be viewed here.
Keep checking back for updates and details on our confirmed speakers, with additional speakers coming soon...
Catherine, who has responsibilities for high streets and communities, will provide an overview of government policies and priorities. She will also take part in a Q&A.
Wesley is the Head of Social Value at Savills Earth, where he leads strategic social value initiatives for clients including investors, developers, and asset managers.
Wesley will provide an overview on what Social Value means and why it matters.
Danielle joined BIDs as a board member in 2016 and is now the Chief Executive of Go Forth Stirling, a medium-sized BID in central Scotland in its second term.
In her role as national programme manager for Scotland’s Improvement Districts, Danielle leads the SIDs team and liaises with Scotland’s Towns Partnership. She drives the engagement programme for operational BIDs, their managers, and boards, while fostering strong relationships with stakeholders, including national and local government. Danielle is dedicated to raising the profile of the BID model, developing a pipeline of prospective BIDs in Scotland, and providing support for those seeking to undertake initial ballots.
Additionally, Danielle serves on the British BIDs Advisory Board and runs a consultancy focused on community ownership projects, drawing on her extensive experience in fundraising.
Marc had a career in retail with M&S before moving into Retail Property, managing shopping centres in Romford, Ilford, Bromley, and Lakeside. In 2017, Marc joined Landsec as Operations Director.
His involvement in BIDs began in 2009 where he led the Ilford BID team to its first ballot victory and then again with Bromley BID. Marc now sits as a Board Member of Cheapside BID and has been a British BIDs Advisory Board Member since 2010.
Diane is the CEO of Rendle Intelligence and Insights, which she founded in October 2023. Previously Diane was Marketing and Insights Director and co-founder of Springboard which was acquired by MRI Software in 2022. Diane led all of Springboard’s insights, and authored its regular commentaries, articles, reviews, and topical reports.
Diane is regarded as one of the leading experts high streets and retail destinations, with an unparalleled knowledge and expertise in understanding current and emerging retail issues and consumer trends. She is a regular commentator on the performance of high streets and retail in the media.
Diane is Brand Ambassador for Beauclair, delivering monthly insights on spending in UK towns and cities, and writes regularly about high streets for leading trade associations and publications. She is also a Senior Fellow of the Institute of Place Management, and was also named as one of the world’s 100 top retail influencers by Rethink Retail in 2024, for the fourth consecutive year.
Sharon has brought years of experience across a whole host of different sectors to her role as Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, which have all contributed to her ability to bring a variety of skills and insights to her multi-faceted job.
Her role ensures she is a voice for businesses across the city but to also ensure that the BID plays an active part in helping build a strong and robust Sunderland for the future.
Currently on the schedule is bringing all relevant partners together to create a retail strategy for the city, as well as invigorating a health on the high street agenda.
She is also a director of Sunderland Business Partnership and a co-chair of the Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust, as well as being part of the British BIDs Advisory Board.
Ojay is the Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management. He works with government ministers, parliamentarians, UK Cabinet Office, economic development professionals, business leaders and place managers across the UK and Ireland to support town and city centres.
He works on a range of policy issues including adaptation to an industrial revolution, tax reform, local government finance, transport, housing, planning, retail, crime, urban regeneration, COVID recovery and the climate emergency.
In 2017, Sally was responsible for introducing, developing and delivering the UKs first ever area-wide, business improvement district (BID). North Notts BID is also the largest singular BID in the UK, covering the whole district of Bassetlaw in North Nottinghamshire. The BID supports and represents over 1,200 businesses (just under 1,400 hereditaments), covering all sectors and sizes in industrial estates, rural areas, town centres and anywhere in between.
As CEO and director, Sally is responsible for strategic decision making and oversees all operational aspects, budgets and finances. She leads the North Notts BID Strategic Board, manages the delivery of the BIDs business plan and ensures that North Nottinghamshire is placed firmly on the map as a great place to live, work, visit and invest.
Sally is experienced in forging and developing strategic partnerships and sits on a variety of boards including the North Notts Skills & Employment Board and Retford Town Partnership Board. She is also Vice Chair of Worksop Town Board. On a personal level, Sally is also a Corporate Governor for the RNN Group which includes North Notts College, Rotherham College, Dearne Valley College and the University Centre of Rotherham.
Sally was awarded an MBE in the Kings first New Years honours list in January 2023 for Services to Business and to the Economy in Nottinghamshire.
Chris is an Economist and Information scientist, having worked initially at the British Institute of Management before moving into academic research and teaching before becoming Chief Executive of British BIDs. Chris focuses on BID research, training, governance, business intelligence and local and central government relationships for British BIDs.
Chris authors the annual National BID Survey and will be walking us through 20 years of BIDs - Cutting the data!
The National BIDs Conference sponsor for 2024 is Blachere Illumination, who have been leading the way in commercial festive decorations for 45 years. Most recently, Blachere have been addressing plastic pollution with their Recyprint range, where plastic bottles are collected and used to create stunning illuminations. They are also a recognised partner with WWC thank to their eco-friendly products.
Catch up with the Blachere team on the day.
Along with our event sponsor Blachere Illumination, we will also be joined by the following suppliers:
ASEL (Argenbright Security Europe Ltd) | CEP | Lodge Service | M.R.S. Communications | Neighbourly | Odin Events | Reveal Media | ShopSafe | UK Engage
Be sure to visit their stands throughout the day.
This year we will be hosting the conference in a 300-seat tiered Auditorium space is a central feature of 30 Euston Square, one of the best conference and event spaces in Central London.
Equipped with a state-of-the-art Sony HDR 4K laser projector (DCI cinema industry-approved), surround sound speakers, show lights and the opportunity to produce video conferencing and streaming, the Auditorium space will satisfy the most seasoned conference professionals and enhance your ability to deliver the ultimate delegate or cinema screening experience.
The Venue Travel Information