Events executive Katie Bland is to be the public face of Altrincham’s Business Improvement District (BID) programme.
Bland, who will take up the position of manager at the end of June, will be based at the new Altrincham BID office on The Downs. She lives in Timperley and was born and brought up in the town.
The 42-year-old joins from UBM – one of the world’s largest event organisers – where she has been leading “Routes”, a global events business serving the aviation community. She’s also worked for Mondiale Publishing and Emap.
Her experience includes “strategic planning, financial management and events management”, according to the Altrincham BID.
Martin Duff, chair of the interim Altrincham BID Board and owner of Randalls Jewellery, said: “Katie’s application for the BID Manager role was impressive, and when we met her in person she ticked all the boxes.
“Not only does she possess the wide range of commercial skills and experience essential for the job, but as a long-time Altrincham resident she displays a genuine passion to drive improvement in Altrincham and continue the revitalisation we have seen to date. We are all very much looking forward to working with her.”
The role will see Bland manage the day-to-day operation of the BID, which was voted for by businesses in November and which encompasses a range of projects designed to improve the town centre.
She said: “I am delighted to be joining Altrincham BID at such an exciting time. As a local resident I have been impressed by the regeneration achieved over the past few years and see the BID as an outstanding opportunity for Altrincham to build on that momentum.
“My first priority will be to meet with the Altrincham town centre business community from all sectors to understand their challenges and how the BID can best support them.
“The BID Business Plan has huge potential to benefit Altrincham over the next five years, and I am looking forward to working with the BID Board and Advisory Groups to develop events, projects and initiatives that will deliver a visible return for Altrincham businesses, and show both residents and visitors what a unique and flourishing town this is.”
