Leading the BID industry
Leading the BID industry
Bb Accreditation is an industry recognised standard, externally assessed by independent auditors, and designed in line with the Business Plan Criteria and the National Guiding Principles for a BID.
Accreditation provides assurance to the Board, the team, levy payers and partners that the BID is well run, and that the right governance, financial and management processes are in place.
The accountability and transparency of a BID is critical, and adherence to the accreditation standards provides stakeholders with a reassurance that a BID is operating in accordance with these expectations.
The Accreditation process is completed online alongside an Assessor.
Accreditation provides an assessment of the following BID components:
Governance - The selection process and effectiveness of the board, directors, and members of the BID.
Management and operations - The staffing structure, contracts, appraisals, insurance, and data protection.
Finance - The BID’s financial systems and procedures.
Performance Management – How the BID manages and reviews performance, and how levy payers and engaged and involved in the BID and its work.
Communication and reporting - The BID’s communications plan and processes, how its activities and impact are reported to levy payers, and how the return on investment for levy payers is assessed.
"The British BIDs accreditation is well worth doing. It helps the BID to focus on its governance arrangements and the team at British BIDs help and guide you through the whole thing. The Board loves the fact that we have the accreditation, and it provides real reassurance to levy payers that we are well run and have great governance arrangements in place. What was really helpful was the fact that British BIDs found a couple of things that we need to do to improve further, and those recommendations were very gratefully received." - Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive Officer, Sunderland BID
“As part of our commitment to levy payers in our first term we said we would look to become an accredited BID. We were delighted to achieve our accreditation in August, the whole process was very straight forward and in line with our objective of being transparent allows our levy payers to be confident that their BID is well managed and is delivering on their promises. We couldn’t have asked for better support from the team at British BIDs with ideas and suggestions that were made by them very much welcomed by us and one in particular has been especially useful. The process was efficient and proved a timely reminder to ensure that we have all our governance ready for our Term 2 ballot.” - Wendy Bell, Chief Executive Officer, Crawley Town Centre BID
"The BID Accreditation process was straightforward and not at all onerous. It provided an excellent opportunity to review our operations and ensure full compliance with industry standards. We appreciated the clear guidance throughout, which made the experience both valuable and efficient." - Mandy White, BID Director, Altrincham BID
"Southport BID is the only business-led organisation in our town, and it is our duty to be open and transparent. Accreditation by British BIDs gave as the tools and the platform to demonstrate to our business community and partners that efficiency, knowledge led decision making and collaborative working is at the core of our organisations." - Rachel Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer, Southport BID
“Our directors and operations team recognised that this process was an important one to provide reassurance to businesses that we have robust processes and systems in place. The process was straightforward and worthwhile. I would recommend this process to other BIDs.” - Scott Dolling, BID Manager, Southend City BID
"The accreditation process really helped when writing up the business proposals for our ballot." - James Payne, Projects Officer, Your Pontypridd BID
“I found the process effective and efficient with excellent communications from British BIDs. We used the process as part of our company mid term review for which it certainly helped us look afresh at our BID and provided reassurance on the practices and processes we have in place. Like any business development is important, the accreditation process helped this by identifying areas we could improve and develop which we have now implemented.” – Russell Greenslade, Chief Executive, Swansea BID
"Going through the accreditation enabled the company to take a step back and re-evaluate how we are operating, look at what we are doing well, and where we can improve. It also provided the Board with a certain level of confidence about how the company is managed, while identifying areas where we can improve, something the Board are always keen to do. I would recommend Bb accreditation to other BIDs." - Maria Manion, Chief Executive, Cambridge BID
"This accreditation provides our board, partners and levy payers with the confidence that the company is being managed to a high standard and the security that we have a robust and transparent governance system." - Bob Balu, Chairman, Soho Road BID
The process is extremely straightforward. Once you decide you would like to undertake accreditation an Assessor will organise a convenient time to run through the assessment form alongside you. There are most commonly two or three calls needed to run through the requirements. Once completed, the form is sent to the Accreditation Board (made up of National BIDs Advisory Board members) for any queries or ratification.
The Assessor's role is to support you and they can also provide templates as required.
Accreditation lasts for three years.
The cost of accreditation is £975* for British BIDs members with their 25% discount. The cost for non-members is £1,300.
If you would like to ensure that you are compliant with industry accreditation standards, please email mel.richardson@britishbids.info.
Altrincham BID
Crawley Town Centre BID
Hammersmith London
Herefordshire County BID
Its in Nottingham
Manor Royal BID
MyMiltonKeynes
North Notts BID
One Maidstone BID
Poole BID
Southend City BID
Southport BID
Sunderland BID
Swansea BID
Watford BID
Winchester BID
