Jim Harris, the Manager of St Stephen’s Shopping Centre, has been appointed as the new Chairman of HullBID.

Jim succeeds Victoria Jackson MBE, who will remain on the HullBID Board.

Victoria, whose business interests include Kingston Recruitment Limited which she founded nearly 28 years ago, was appointed as Chairman late in 2009 and guided HullBID through a successful renewal ballot nearly 18 months ago. Last year she led the BID to the coveted Purple Flag status.

Victoria said: “The strength of our partnerships continues to help HullBID deliver many benefits for businesses, but as we embark on an exciting programme of events it is the right time for me to step down and support Jim, who is an excellent choice.”

Jim joined the HullBID Board soon after arriving in the city in 2009 to join St Stephen’s. He is highly-respected as a member of the Council of the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce and as a prominent member of the Bondholders.

He said: “I am well aware of the pressure facing city centre businesses and I intend to work to build on the considerable achievements of Victoria and the success so far of HullBID and help to make it even stronger.

“We want to make Hull more attractive to external visitors and also to the BID businesses, because they are the people who fund what we do and they want to know what they are getting for their money.

“The BID Board is business-led and we operate purely for the good of city centre businesses.”

 
Photography: Victoria Jackson MBE with Jim Harris (Copyright: Karl Andre)