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Certificate In BID Management

The Certificate in BID Management has, since its inception in 2013, become an essential part in the personal development of every BID practitioner. Designed so that delegates can continue their full-time employment, the CiBM covers technical aspects such as legislation, regulations, marketing, brand management, contractual obligations, operational skills and employment law. Together with the specific aspects that each session focusses on, each delegate will produce a detailed research project based on improving or resolving an issue that they find within their current BID, which is then presented to Directors.

The nuances of Business Improvement Districts means there are specific factors in finance, corporate and employment law, marketing, and operations that are not transferrable from other industries. This means that understanding what these are is pivotal to the success of a BID practitioner.

The CiBM is the industry’s only formal qualification and has established a proud record of not only assisting in graduates' career development, but also the development of towns and cities through the research conducted by our delegates. Over 120 students from across 80 locations have undertaken the Certificate.

In the below video you can hear from some previous graduates.


The CiBM is a 7-day training course preparing future and current BID managers with a comprehensive toolkit, enabling them to manage a BID efficiently and effectively.

Each session runs for 2.5 hours, from 10:30am until 1:00pm. 

Please note that applications have now closed for 2023 classes. 2024 class dates will be confirmed in due course.


After completing the CiBM, you will be able to:

  • Implement principles of good-governance to your BID
  • Develop knowledge of BID-specific financial matters
  • Develop expertise on employment legislation
  • Understand how to create effective marketing campaigns
  • Know how to build a brand around your BID
  • Gain understanding of contractual regulations
  • Manage and develop levy payer relationships
  • Create an in-depth research paper on a matter specific to your BID

Day 1 - Induction & Principles of BIDs

  • Background to BIDs
  • The principles of establishing and managing a BID
  • The BID ballot
  • The challenges that BIDs face
  • Your structured research report

Day 2 - BID regulations, Policy, Financial matters & BID governance

  • Understanding the BID regulations
  • National BID Criteria
  • Technical guidance
  • Governance structures
  • Good governance principles
  • Business plan essentials
  • Role & responsibilities of Directors
  • Financial controls in BIDs
  • Cashflow principles

Day 3 - Research methodologies and data collection techniques

  • Principles of research
  • Collecting and analysing data
  • Choosing your research topic

Day 4 - Marketing & communications in BIDs

  • What is a brand and what do you want from it?
  • Things to consider when preparing a marketing & communications plan for a BID
  • The importance of marketing in a BID
  • Preparing a marketing & communications plan for an event

Day 5 - Contract management & operations

  • Roles & responsibilities
  • Managing the BID operation
  • Contract law and management
  • Managing risk
  • Managing expectations

Day 6 – Presentation skills - Research papers presentation tips, guidance & rehearsals

Advice and preparation on the presentation of the chosen research topic including;

  • Considering and applying the core steps to being a good presenter
  • Understanding and applying some top tips for delivering effective presentations to any audience
  • Effective verbal and body language

Day 7 – Presentations day

  • Presentation delivered to panel

Wendy Bell, Crawley Town Centre BID

"The CIBM really helped me to consider an issue within our area and then take some time to focus on possible solutions. The time I spent researching my project with other BIDs was really beneficial; as it showed where different BIDs challenges were similar but also our differences too. I would highly recommend this course to new and experienced BID team members."

Cyril Bekoe, Ilford BID

"Joining the BID industry from an external sector, the British BIDs CiBM course has provided me the guidance and support to build a strong foundation on which I can better support my businesses and board. I would strongly recommend the course structure, content and facilitators."

Rachel Dingsdale, South Bank BID

"I would thoroughly recommend the CiBM having recently completed it. The teaching sessions gave a really comprehensive overview of the BID industry and the individual sessions were well presented and involved a good balance of teaching alongside peer to peer learning and collaboration. The chance to network with key figures in the BID world and meet colleagues from across a wide range of BIDs and learn from their experience was invaluable. The written dissertation element of the course gave the opportunity to engage in an in-depth investigation and while challenging was a really important element of the course."

Nick Bishop, Bath BID

"I recently completed the Certificate in BID Management and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has aspirations for a career in the BID industry. The course has provided me with comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of working in BIDs, and I now feel confident in communicating and delivering services to our levy payers. I really enjoyed meeting colleagues from BIDs all over the UK and sharing best practice with one and other. Thank you British BIDs."

Julie Frost, Romford BID

“Having just completed the CiBM I would definitely recommend the course to anyone involved in BIDs around the country. I am new to BID management and found all teaching sessions so helpful, with very knowledgeable presenters and the opportunity to share experience with fellow colleagues in the BID world. Due to covid-19 our course was all completed via Zoom so we did miss out on the personal contact however it did work well and I would highly recommend."

Susan Shaw, Richmond Council

“I enjoyed this very professional and comprehensive BID course and having the opportunity to meet other BID Managers from around the UK. Doing the research project was both demanding and rewarding at the same time!”

Chris Travers, Orpington 1st

“The CIBM was a fantastic experience and one which I would thoroughly recommend to both aspiring and experienced BID personnel. It provided an excellent opportunity to network with peers and a comprehensive look at all aspects of working in the BID industry. The speakers were engaging and knowledgeable and offered unrivalled insights into their respective topics.”

Click here to read some of the dissertations from CiBM graduates

2023

Sara Tupper, Chelmsford for You

Lottie Stanley, InExeter BID

Joanna Breuer, Fulham Broadway BID

Kelly Bliss, South Bank BID

Clarissa Parker, Slough BID

Lee Roberts, Lincoln BIG

Roberta Redecke, Sunderland BID

Angela Grey, Lowestoft Vision

Aaron Finn, Hatton Garden BID

Heather Card-Jones, Hemel Hempstead BID

James Mbanefo, Wandsworth Town


2022

Dan Collins, Salisbury BID

Marcos Gold, Central District Alliance

Andrew Bell, Fulham Broadway BID

Dawn Rondeau, Weymouth BID

Elche Doluner, Colchester BID

Nikita Hart, Sidcup BID

Kate Blenkinsop, Nottingham BID

Mujibur Rahman, Redditch BID

Sean Kennedy, MyMiltonKeynes

Wendy Bell, Crawley Town Centre BID


2021

Emily Stedman, South Bank BID

Richard Green

Joe Sentance, North Notts BID

Cassy Staal, MyMiltonKeynes

Nicki Palmer, Victoria BID

Lyndsay Smith, Coventry BID

Fran Inman, Bristol City Centre BID

Gail Buckland, Hemel Hempstead BID

Claire Dumontier-Marriage, Cheapside Business Alliance

Rachael Smith, Primera Corporation

Gail McGibbon, Sligo BID

Finbarr Filan, Sligo BID

Jenny Granshaw, Cambridge BID

Ellen Fife, Wandsworth Town Centre BID

Kristian Foreman, Cambridge BID

Sarah-Jane Adams, Royal Tunbridge Wells Together


2020

Johnny Englishby, MyMiltonKeynes

Suzanne Gloyne, Southend BID

Cyril Bekoe, Ilford BID

Vicky Lee, Bristol City Centre BID

Vicky Rogers, Halesowen BID

Sophia Beckford, Our Colchester BID

Nick Bishop, Bath BID

Adrian Cousins, Witham Industrial BID

Sarah Davis, Winchester BID

Paula Ratcliffe, Bristol City Centre BID

Olivia Murray, Ilford BID

Julie Frost, Romford BID

Rachel Dingsdale, South Bank BID

Katy Paddock, Colmore BID

Alex Powell, Kidderminster BID


2019

Melanie Beck, MyMiltonKeynes

Abdel Najid, South Bank BID

Ilsa Butler, One Maidstone

Sam Good, Our Colchester

Neil Haggartay, South Bank BID

Amy Coulson, Nottingham BID

Chloe McNeil, Halifax BID

Livia Caruso, Hammersmith BID

Gordon Brockie, Hammersmith BID

Steve Bluff, Broadmead BID

Ellen Storrar, Richmond BID

Jack Cripps, Ipswich Central

Jodie MacAndrew, Collectively Camberley BID

Richard Buxton, Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID

Selina Cresswell, Our Colchester BID

Vanessa Sharp, St Albans BID

Caron Linyard, Bexleyheath BID


2018

Shahrukh Bhatty, South Bank BID

John Coward, Nottingham BID

James Dunham, BID Leicester

Jill Farnsworth, Watford BID

Sally Gilborn, North Notts BID

Glen Hempenstall, Uxbridge BID

Craig Hurring, South Bank BID

Simon Jenner, BID Leicester

Claudia Moore, Weymouth BID

Amie Mullen, Lowestoft Vision BID

Sam Murray, Manor Royal BID

Patricia Park, Successful Sutton BID

Indranie Sookdeo, South Bank BID

Paul Spencer, Winchester BID

Lucy Stanford, Nottingham BID

Leonna Staple, Twickenham BID

Amy Williams, Newcastle-Under-Lyme BID

Cheryl Williams, Colwyn BID


2017

WIlma Sagoe, Ilford BID

Sarah Nelson, Mansfield BID

Jane Bastock, Winchester BID

Patrick Knight, Plymouth City Council

Mike Crane, Uxbridge BID

Diane Mansell, Soho Road BID

Nikki Rolls, Walsall Council

Gerry Barwick, Twickenham BID

Susan Shaw, Richmond Council

Mike Truelove, Hereford BID

Natalie Dickson, Nottingham BID

Daniel O'Neill, Acocks Green Village BID

Brian Albuquerque, Wandsworth Council

Marcia Greenwood, Northfield BID

Thomas Zane-Black, Your Bromley BID

Amy Sheppard, Winchester BID

Lorinda Freint, Wandsworth Council

Charlotte Wickins, Chichester BID

Tony Garrett, Bexleyheath BID


2016

Steve Sawyer, Manor Royal BID

Matthew John, Hammersmith London

Nic Durston, Southbank BID

Nicola Grant, Putney Town Centre

Alicia Mosquito, Westside BID

Will Dyson, WeAreWaterloo

Chris Travers, Orpington 1st

Rupert Basham, HammersmithLondon


2015

Jo Hawkins, Destination Bristol

Ross Feeney, Successful Sutton

Andrew Mitchell, Alloa BID

Tammy Sleet, Wimborne


2014

Ben Collins, Ilford BID

Rebecca Handley, Kingstonfirst

Lee Walker, Ipswich Central

Katie Lindsey, Baker Street Quarter

Andrew Cooper, Bath BID

Maris Puks, Waterloo Quarter

Alison Shaw, BID Leamington

Josyanne Thatcher, Cornwall Council

Alison Dewey, Southend BID


2013

Julie Thorneycroft, Northampton BID

Hasanul Hoque, Camden Town Unlimited

Frances Forrest, Vauxhall One

Ann Hunter, Ealing Broadway

BID Russell Downing, Newbury BID

Cherry Shine, Wolverhampton Council

Robin Hibbert, New West End Company

Catherine Turness, Winchester BID