We are looking to appoint a Chair who is actively involved in Croydon, either through living or working here, who will add value to the Board through strategic leadership skills and passion for the town centre and wider borough.
About the role
Croydon Business Improvement District (BID) is a not-for-profit company set up by businesses in 2007 to give Croydon a competitive edge and make it more welcoming to all those who use it.
We are one of the largest Business Improvement Districts in the UK, covering virtually the entire town centre. Croydon BID represents the interests of around 560 organisations, including well-known brands and businesses in the retail, office, leisure, hospitality and public sectors. Croydon is one of the most vibrant and diverse boroughs in London and its economy is larger than many towns and cities across the country.
Since our formation we have delivered innovative solutions, services and initiatives to support businesses and the wider community, investing over £13million into the street scene, additional policing and other community initiatives like Croydon Ambassadors as well as joint cultural events with partners like Croydon Council while playing a key role in the successful Borough of Culture bid for 2023.
Our board has recently been through a restructure bringing together the strengths of the local business community and clear representation of the views and opinions from all sectors in the town. We are now looking for a new Chair who can take us forward in Croydon’s development, engaging with the Local Authority, businesses across the town centre and other partners including the Metropolitan Police.
Who we're looking for
Your natural style will be collegiate and collaborative, yet also challenging and able to act as a critical friend when appropriate. You will need to be visible and possess the diplomacy and people skills to work effectively with our members and other key stakeholders; you’ll be an important ambassador for Croydon BID and the town.
We are looking to appoint a Chair who lives or works in Croydon, someone actively involved in the town, and will add value to the Board through their strategic leadership skills and passion of the town centre and wider borough. We want our board to reflect the strong diversity of the business community and population of Croydon and continue to be a unique partnership which makes Croydon BID a powerful and influential voice of challenge and advocacy for the town centre.
The time commitment for the Chair is about 1-2 days a month spread across board and committee meetings, working with the executive and other engagements. The term of office is two years and can be extended for additional terms.
For a confidential discussion please contact our consultants at Peridot Partners:
Michael Earnshaw | 07494 595178 | michael@peridotpartners.co.uk
Liz Holderness | 07872 031079 | liz@peridotpartners.co.uk
Closing date: 9am, Monday 20th April 2020
Jonathan Sharrock, Senior Independent Director
Croydon is on an exciting and challenging journey, unlocking the potential of one of the most vibrant and diverse boroughs in London.
In recent years, Croydon has attracted investment, both public and private, creating the largest regeneration activity seen in the Borough since the 1960s. With over 66 developments in the town centre alone, the level of investment is unrivalled, second only to Nine Elms.
Croydon’s business community has a significant role in helping delivering this; partnering and supporting the Council. We are looking for a senior business figure to lead the Croydon BID as a major focal point for this work. Representing over 560 of the largest businesses in Croydon town centre, Croydon BID is focused on making a difference to those that work, live and visit our town centre.
Croydon BID, since its formation in 2007, has delivered innovative solutions, services and initiatives to support businesses and the wider community, investing over £13million.
Our board has recently been through a restructure bringing together the strengths of the local business community and clear representation of the views and opinions from all sectors in the town. The board have played a significant role in developing the strategy of Croydon BID, bringing together their passion and ideas in order to create solutions for the future.
As a board, we are supported by a highly skilled and motivated team led by our Chief Executive Matthew Sims. At a crucial time, we are now looking for a new Chair who can take us forward in Croydon’s development, engaging with the Local Authority, businesses across the Borough and other partners including the Met Police.
This is a truly interesting, significant and purposeful role, with the opportunity to make a positive difference to Croydon. If you feel you could bring your skills, experience and passion for Croydon to this role then please do apply – we are keen to hear from a diverse range of people who can bring their ideas and ambition to this exciting role.
Jonathan Sharrock
Senior Independent Director
Croydon BID
Our Organisation
Hello and welcome to the Croydon Business Improvement District. We are a not-for-profit company set up by businesses in 2007 to give Croydon a competitive edge and make it more welcoming to all those who use it.
Geographically, we are one of the largest Business Improvement Districts in the UK, covering virtually the entire town centre. Croydon BID represents the interests of around 560 organisations, including well-known brands and businesses in the retail, office, leisure, hospitality and public sectors.
In November 2016, Croydon businesses voted overwhelmingly in favour of Croydon BID continuing for a third five-year term from April 1st, 2017 to March 31st, 2022. Of the 570 electors, 313 voted creating a turnout of 54.91%. In total, 81.79% voted in favour by volume and 87.54% by rateable value.
What are Business Improvement Districts?
Business Improvement Districts like ours are business-led initiatives set up in defined areas to add value and improve the local trading environment.
They are democratically elected organisations that can only be created when a majority of businesses in the area vote in favour of supporting them – both by number of votes and by aggregate rateable value.
There are currently over 300 active BIDs in the UK.
The BID levy
- The BID levy is a mandatory charge, enforceable in the same way as non-domestic rates.
- The BID levy is the principal source of income for Croydon BID. From 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2022, the levy will be set at 1% of the relevant rateable value of each rated unit of property within the BID area valued at £40,000 or more. There are no exemptions to the BID levy.
- There are no discounts to the levy for charitable status, mandatory rate relief or businesses paying other service charges.
- A levy of 1% of the rateable value of each hereditament* valued at £40,000 or more will be charged (as per the 2017 ratings list). Currently this means 580 businesses will be eligible for the vote and to pay the levy.
- All premises with a rateable value of less than £40,000 will be exempt from paying the levy and therefore will not be eligible to vote in the ballot.
- The levy will be due on 1st April each year and will be payable in full.
- Hereditaments will receive a single bill for the BID levy before the start of the relevant financial year and the levy must be paid in one annual instalment.
- The levy is payable by whoever is responsible for paying the business rates at the relevant hereditament on 1st April each year.
- There will be no refund if the BID levy payer vacates the premises during the year, therefore steps should be taken where appropriate to apportion liability with incoming tenants, landlords or freeholders.
- Hereditaments will be charged at 2017 rateable values for the lifetime of Croydon BID ie 5 years from the 1st April 2017. Where new properties come into the ratings list, or mergers or splits occur, the hereditament will be charged as per the current ratings list at that time.
- Where a property is empty, the levy liability will transfer to the property owner.
- The BID term will be for five years commencing on 1st April 2017 until 31st March 2022. Before the end of this period, the Croydon BID Board may seek renewal of the BID for a further five year term, through a renewal ballot.
Croydon BID area
Our focus
Since Croydon BID was first created in 2007, we have made a significant impact delivering innovative solutions to challenges faced by the business community with new services and initiatives designed to add value:
- Investing over £13 million into the business community of the town centre
- Focused delivery plan on five core pledges:
- Investing in your safety
- Delivering brighter streets
- Creating a great impression
- Helping you in and around
- Bringing businesses together
About the Board
Currently chaired by Neil Chandler, the Croydon BID board brings together a wealth of business leaders with experience and skill from across all sectors including local government, the Metropolitan Police Service. We form a unique partnership which makes Croydon BID a powerful and influential voice of challenge and advocacy for Croydon.
Please download the Role Profile and Job Specification, Terms and Conditions and fill out the Declaration Form and Equality Monitoring Form
If you would like an informal conversation about the role you can contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Michael Earnshaw | 07947 935068 | michael@peridotpartners.co.uk
To apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement that clearly outlines your interest and motivation in applying and your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk inserting “Chair, Croydon BID” into the subject field.
Disabled applicants are invited to contact us in confidence at any point during the recruitment process to discuss any adjustments or support which are required.
Timetable
Closing date: 9am, Monday 20th April 2020
Shortlisting: w/c Monday 27th April
Interviews: Thursday 30th April or w/c Monday 4th May
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Croydon BID are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We would therefore be most grateful if you would complete this equality monitoring form.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the new Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018. The information provided does not form part of the decision-making process and will not affect your application.
We treat all job applicants equally and fairly and do not unlawfully discriminate against them. We do this by ensuring that we operate an open and fair recruitment process, and making decisions using selection criteria which do not discriminate. We will take every possible step to ensure that employees and volunteers are treated fairly, with the aim of creating a culture that respects and values each others’ differences, that is free of discrimination and promotes dignity, equality and diversity.
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