CH1ChesterBID announces new board members

CH1ChesterBID announces new board members.

The new board members’ expertise stretches across the city’s businesses from law and finance to hospitality and retail.

Katrina Kerr, Chester BID chair, said: ‘Myself and Nick (Nick Hodson, Deputy Chair) purposefully sought to include those with an expertise of the city centre and an understanding of our shoppers and diners, also those that can offer an insight into the professional service sector – a sometimes overlooked but thriving part of the city business scene.

New board members are Simon Radley, executive chef at The Chester Grosvenor and Michelin-starred ‘Simon Radley’; Will Powell of Powells Jewellery; Emma McGlinchey, partner at Aaron and Partners; John Farrell, director at Ellis & Co, and Ian Gordon - founder of IKO hospitality which own and operate Liquor & Co, The Cabinet Club and Craft & Company in Chester.

Katrina added: ‘The country’s city centres and high streets are facing a turbulent time. We need to make the right strategic decisions now to make sure we keep the city centre as vibrant as ever. Chester is a loved city, well-known for its fantastic food and drinks offering, interesting independent boutiques and galleries and charm – our city’s much-lauded personality and creativity cannot simply be replaced by more convenient online alternatives. We welcome our new board members and their finely attuned insight on how best we support the businesses within the city, attracting visitors and increasing footfall.’ 

Board Bios

• Will Powell of Powells Fine Jewellery. Will and his family own three jewellers based in Chester, opening the first in 2002 followed by another in 2010. In 2018 Powells also saved Lowe & Sons from closing its doors after 248 years. Will is a G.I.A Diamond graduate and an alumnus of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Programme at Oxford University.
• Emma McGlinchey is a commercial property lawyer with a particular emphasis on the retail sector.  She is currently a partner at Aaron & Partners in Chester.  Having lived in Chester for over 25 years she has an interest in the development of the city centre and business growth.
• Ian Gordon founded iKO in 2009 – a hospitality operator specialising in cocktail bars and late night venues.  With three existing operations in Ormskirk and Crosby, he opened his first Chester business, Liquor and Co, in 2015.  This was followed by The Cabinet Club and Craft and Company in subsequent years..
• Simon Radley has held the position of Executive Chef at The Chester Grosvenor, the city’s landmark five-star hotel for 22 years. He heads up all food and beverage operations, including banqueting, brasserie, room service and ‘Simon Radley’ at The Chester Grosvenor. ‘Simon Radley’ at The Chester Grosvenor holds one of the longest held Michelin stars in the UK.
• John Farrell is a director and experienced accountant at Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers. John is a familiar face within West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce offering support as part of the company's strategic membership of the Chamber. John also works closely with the University of Chester, sitting on judging boards and working on various programs throughout the year.

About CH1ChesterBID Company

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led, business-funded body created to improve a defined commercial area. The CH1ChesterBID is funded solely by the businesses within the city.

There are over 460 businesses in Chester’s BID area with a rateable value of more than £18,000. Each of these contribute a levy equal to 1% of their business rates every year to fund a wide range of improvements identified by the businesses themselves. It is expected that approximately £2.5m of private sector funds will be generated over the five-year BID term and this money will be reinvested back into the city centre.

In June 2019, hundreds of businesses voted in favour of the plans to renew the BID’s term in Chester and on September 1^st, 2019, CH1ChesterBID Company started a second five year-term with the intention of continuing to deliver a more vibrant and successful trading environment for Chester city centre.

For more information, visit www.CH1ChesterBID.co.uk

Pictured - New board members with Chair, Katrina Kerr L-R Katrina Kerr, Will Powell, Emma McGlinchey, Ian Gordon, Simon Radley, John Farrell.