Falmouth BID Board

Directors of Falmouth BID are committed to the key objective of improving the trading environment and opportunities of the town for the benefit of all local businesses. To achieve this their skills and experience need to  cover a wide range, encompassing all areas of business with the aim of ensuring a comprehensive and relevant range of input to the Board, a high standard of representation when promoting Falmouth, diligence and commitment in promoting the town’s development, as well as good business practice within the company itself.

 Our integrated and award-winning partnership with Falmouth Town Council is reflected in observer positions on the Board, currently taken by Mark Williams, Falmouth Town Clerk.

Chair Rob Holmes – Falmouth University

‘I was appointed Director of Finance in 2014 at the University having been with the University since 1992. During that time, I have been involved with finances across the institution from the early days of European funding and the acquisition of the Penryn Campus, the establishment of the joint venture, Falmouth Exeter Plus, the merger with Dartington College of Arts and in achieving University title.

Seeing the excellent work that Falmouth BID does for the town persuaded me to become involved and offer my financial input to the team. I currently run the financial records and act as Company Secretary for the company.’

Paul Wickes MBE – Cornwall Marine Network

‘Cornwall Marine Network has considerable expertise in helping our vibrant local marine sector businesses to prosper. Through specialist business support services to local businesses, we have created and filled more than 3,500 jobs and added more than £300 million value to the Cornish economy.

I have been able to draw on this local experience to produce benefits for Falmouth BID members, which has resulted in the BID offering one-day business skills workshops and we are working closely with Richard Wilcox to continually seek new initiatives that will support improved economic performance for BID members, including a new model for BID members to employ apprentices that reduces the risks and costs for small businesses.’

Victoria Glaister – Inspire Makers

‘I am an experienced strategic and commercial leader, motivated by personal accountability and driving the delivery of results through myself and others. I currently run Inspire Makers, a creative retail space in Falmouth dedicated to championing Cornish independent artistic businesses and people. We showcase a carefully curated range of contemporary work from over 50 well-known and emerging artists and makers. There is also a gallery area with a full programme of local artist exhibitions, and a workshop calendar with a range of creative classes available to inspire people to take up making themselves.

I have a track record in creating, inspiring and leading teams to deliver a common goal, and the ability to define and implement strategies which meet the needs of both the business and customers, increase profit, and improve efficiency.’

John Allen – Royal Duchy/Brend Hotels

‘I have worked as Area Director for Brend Hotels, owners of the Royal Duchy Hotel, for many years. I am extremely passionate about Falmouth and promoting it as an outstanding tourist destination. I was delighted to join the BID Board, to give something back to the town that I believe is one of the most special locations in the world. The BID and town management teams have an excellent working relationship, that has helped to support local businesses and deliver exceptional high-profile events.

Having grown up in Falmouth, I enjoy sailing and boating and making the most of the area’s natural and greatest assets.’

Ruth Grimmer

‘I have spent the last 32 years working in a variety of roles within the Higher Education. Since 2013 this has been in a senior role at the University of Exeter, Cornwall, where, amongst my other duties, I initiated and developed the town and gown relationship locally.  I have been actively involved in the Falmouth Place Shaping Board, a regular attendee at councillor surgeries, and a consistent representative at key civic engagements, together with driving initiatives to support the relationship between the University campuses and the town.  I have been impressed with the role, drive and benefits the Falmouth BID bring to the town.

I was previously Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors at the Isle of Wight FE College and a member of the Port Consultative Committee in Southampton, during my time as Director of Planning and Operations at the National Oceanography Centre.mI bring a breadth of experience at strategic and operational level and am keen to utilise these to the benefit of Falmouth through the Falmouth BID.’

Mark Williams FGC, FSLCC – Town Clerk, Falmouth Town Council, observer

‘I have worked in Cornish local government for over 35 years and since 2003 as the Clerk to Falmouth Town Council. The Council has grown rapidly in that time, and in response to local demand has engaged with significant asset and service devolutions by taking a proactive role in saving community assets from closure, improving the quality and effectiveness of services, and leading in local place-shaping. The Council is renowned for its strong leadership, and innovative community delivery in partnerships. One of the most important and proactive of those associations is with Falmouth BID and I attend Board meetings as an observer. The working model that we have is effective and is a way of working that is advocated by the sector and promoted nationally.

A former national Clerk of the year, I am a Fellow of the Governance Institute and a Fellow of the Society of Local Council Clerks. Also, a Cornish Ambassador for the Cornwall Place Board. I am pleased to be the conduit between the Council and the BID and continuing our partner led approach.’