CEO appointed for Exeter BID

Mary Youlden
Authored by Mary Youlden
Posted Friday, July 3, 2015 - 7:34am

Exeter Business Improvement District (Exeter BID) is pleased to announce the appointment of the company’s first chief executive officer. 

Craig Bulley, former Town Centre Manager of Barnstaple will take up the post from Monday 27th July.

Stephen Auty, Exeter BID Board Director and Co-Director of Specsavers is delighted with the announcement saying, “We are really pleased that Craig will be joining us in July and we can start to move forward with the Exeter BID. It really is such an exciting time for Exeter.”

Craig Bulley, said “I can’t wait to take up the post and get stuck in.  Exeter is an incredibly vibrant city that has been blessed over recent years with a series of exciting developments and with more on the horizon the opportunity to part of it was too great to pass up. As a Devon boy born and bred it is also a fantastic opportunity to undertake such a role in the county town.  I am looking forward to meeting the BID business owners and managers.”

The new Exeter BID CEO has taken the time to answer some burning questions regarding his new role, his main goals for Exeter and what he thinks makes a great CEO.

What are your main goals as Exeter BID CEO?
To successfully deliver the BID business plan as voted for by the business themselves, to continue to build on Exeter’s reputation as a great place to shop, eat and visit and to ensure BID levy payers get maximum benefit for their investment.

What do you feel are the top priorities for you as the new CEO of Exeter BID?
1. Settle into the post, this won’t happen overnight and there are many relationships to build, fast!
2. Recruit the Welcome team as detailed in the business plan to ensure we have a visible presence in the city as soon as possible
3. Creation of an effective marketing strategy
4. And of course, to help to co-ordinate and deliver a fantastic Christmas for Exeter businesses and citizens!

How will you work with BID levy payers to ensure their voices are heard?
I will be really keen to meet as many levy payers on an individual basis and will also be looking to arrange a series of geographic area meetings to get to know the businesses.  This together with the structure of the Board, which ensures that each area has its own representative on the BID board, will ensure that the levy payer’s voices are heard.

What do you think makes a good BID CEO?
The ability to listen, be open to ideas and suggestions and to be creative.

Can you tell me more about your background in retail and how you think it will help you in your new role?
My background initially in retail was in Loss Prevention before ultimately ending up in Town Centre Management for the past 10 years. I believe this has given me a broad range of skills that will help to deliver a successful BID for Exeter.

Craig Bulley will take up the post on Monday 27 July and will be based in Exeter BID offices at St Stephens House, Catherine Street.

For more information on the Exeter BID and to read the Business Plan in full, visit www.exeterbid.co.uk

Share this