CH1ChesterBID’s chief executive Rita Waters is stepping down from her role after two years.
BID’s Board of Directors is now beginning the search for a new leader after Rita announced she will be leaving to head up ‘a major national North West based charity’ early next year.
At the time of publication (Thursday, November 26), the board was unable to confirm which charity this is.
Rita has been working in the city since 2008 and joined CH1ChesterBID in October 2013, leading it through ‘Yes’ campaign to create a Business Improvement District (BID) in the city centre, and has worked with BID members on a series of enhancements on key city centre priorities since then.
Before that, she was CEO of regeneration body Chester Renaissance where she spearheaded the art project Rhino Mania trail which encouraged thousands of people to follow the stampede of 70 rhinos across the city.
Rita said: “I’m obviously sad to leave an organisation and a city that has been a very special part of my life for so long, but very much looking forward to my new role.
“Leading CH1ChesterBID has been an incredible experience, I’ve met some wonderful people and had the opportunity to work in partnership with many organisations and businesses to find ways to make the city a more vibrant and successful place to live, work and visit.”
Ed Oliver, Chairman of CH1ChesterBID, added: “Supported by her colleagues and the many partners involved in CH1ChesterBID, Rita’s leadership and direction of the BID team has been fantastic and together we’ve been able to deliver some great results in our first year of operation”, said Ed Oliver.
“From inception, she led the delivery of one of the most successful BID ‘Yes’ campaigns in the UK and has built a team that has delivered so much already and will continue to do so throughout 2016 and beyond. We now have a healthy, financially robust company ready to drive its business plan onto the next stage. I’d like to thank Rita for the role she has played in that and wish her every success for the future”, he added.
Rita will continue in her current role until February next year and the search for her replacement will begin immediately.
