ILKLEY BID Ltd has announced that Helen Rhodes has been appointed as BID Manager with effect from June 1.

The role was advertised both locally and nationally and applications were received from candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds.

The selection process included input from Catherine Mitton, Executive Director of The BID Foundation who travelled from Surrey to take part in interviewing the short-listed candidates.

Fiona Robinson, HR Manager at Virtual College and Ilkley BID Director was part of the interview panel and commented: “The recruitment panel interviewed four people from the 16 who expressed an interest in the role. The process consisted of a presentation, formal interview and workplace behaviour assessment. The standards were very high from all candidates and the deciding factors were Helen’s extensive business experience across a variety of sectors, knowledge of the town and passion to see the BID Business Plan implemented.”

Emma Lishman from Lishman’s of Ilkley and vice-chair of Ilkley BID added: “We are confident that Helen, alongside the team of voluntary Directors who have just been appointed, will work hard to bring the four objectives contained in the Business Plan to life. She has had a lot of experience working with businesses in LS29 as the chairman of the Ilkley Business Forum and she has our full support.”

Helen has been involved with the development of the Business Improvement District since February 2018 and co-ordinated the project that led to a successful ballot in March 2019 which demonstrated a high level of support to implement a BID in Ilkley.

Helen said: “Having been involved in the process leading up to the BID ballot, I am delighted to now be able to continue into the implementation phase and see some of the exciting initiatives brought to life. This really is a fabulous opportunity for Ilkley and the team of voluntary directors and I are looking forward to working with the business owners and leaders in the town centre to bring about positive change.”

The Business Plan can be viewed online – www.ilkleybid.co.uk .

Anyone who would like any further information about Ilkley BID should contact Helen by emailing info@ilkleybid.co.uk