A former city centre manager is returning to Plymouth after five years away but this time to head the organisation that represents hundreds of waterfront businesses.
Jon Walton has been named as the new chief executive of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership’s Business Improvement District (PWP BID). He takes over from Diane Mansell who left the job after just 14 months in charge, for personal reasons.
Mr Walton was a high-profile and popular Plymouth City Centre manager for 18 months but left in Spring 2017 to become chief executive of Southampton’s newly created BID.
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An experienced professional, he later went on to be chief executive of Stirling BID, in Scotland, and was also chair of the Dundee BID and Dundee Business Forum.
He has also been involved in major regeneration projects, the British BIDs Advisory Board and acted as an executive member of the Scottish Towns Partnership.
He is leaving a post as manager of Sovereign (Shopping) Centre in Weston-super-Mare where he also assists with placemaking and regeneration.
When he arrives back in Plymouth he will help deliver the new 2022-27 Waterfront BID business plan, after it was voted for by business in late 2021, and develop the role of the PWP in Plymouth.
Mr Walton, who holds a BSc degree in business studies and international marketing, said “I’m absolutely thrilled to be moving back to Plymouth, to take the Waterfront BID to the next level, making a significant contribution to the city that I’ve fallen in love with.
“I’ve hugely benefited from working in Southampton, Stirling and especially Weston-super-Mare, but have always regretted leaving Plymouth and I look forward to meeting everyone involved with the Waterfront’s development at the heart of Britain’s Ocean City.
“I want to ensure the success the BIDs have enjoyed over the past few years is built upon and together with our key partners, such as at the LEP, Destination Plymouth and the City Council, that we harness the potential of the city’s private sector to continue to drive the waterfront’s economy forward. Diane will be a hard act to follow but I am determined to build on her fantastic legacy and create a vision and delivery of my own”.
One of Mr Walton’s main tasks will be to develop strategic links with major stakeholders in the city. This will include involving the BID in the city’s regeneration plans, such as Plymouth City Council’s economic plan, Plymouth’s Visitor Plan for 2020-30 and the emerging Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
Plymouth currently has two BIDs, Plymouth City Centre Company, which covers the retail heart of the city centre and PWP which covers four square miles of waterfront with its vibrant mix of hospitality, retail, leisure, office, accommodation and attractions.
Together they represent more than 1,000 businesses in Plymouth and help to promote and manage regeneration schemes, events and street trading generating millions of pounds of investment.
Nick Buckland, chair of PWP, said: “BIDs have already made a huge impact in Plymouth and there is great potential to expand their role and make a telling difference to the city’s future development, and to help businesses recover from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
“Jon recognises the opportunities BIDs represent and I’m thrilled he is joining us. He has a very impressive track record in delivering BIDs, initially as Plymouth City Centre manager, then as chief executive for the Southampton and Stirling BIDs. He’s also been chair of the Dundee BID and Dundee Business Forum, plus has input to major regeneration projects, the BritishBIDs Advisory Board and acted as an executive member (cities) of the Scottish Towns Partnership.
“This is a key appointment and Jon will be a fantastic asset, who in 2021 won the Sceptre Shopping Centre Manager of the Year award. I look forward to working with him over what will be an exciting five years ahead of us, delivering our new Waterfront BID Business Plan.”
Mr Walton arrived in Plymouth from Dundee in October 2015, shortly after the BID was renewed for another five years, following a vote by traders.
He already had 30 years experience in retail including a spell in Glasgow, and replaced Stefan Krause, who left for a similar job in Bournemouth.
Achievements during his time in Plymouth included a successful Christmas period and the establishment of the Fashion in the City event.
His new appointment follows the departure of Ms Mansell who took over after Sarah Gibson moved on following a successful 10 years in the post. Ms Mansell then steered the Waterfront BID to a successful renewal in November 2021 before resigning for family reasons.
During her time in charge PWP BID became one of only 20 UK BIDs to gain a top accreditation, having successfully achieved accreditation from both British BIDs, joining 19 others from around the country, and The BID Foundation.
The Waterfront BID has just been given a remit to run until March 2027 with a business plan in place to support businesses by encouraging increased footfall and economic prosperity, making continued improvements to the public realm and supporting wider city initiatives such as the new Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. PWP, a not-for-profit organisation, supports about 900 businesses along the city’s waterfront – from Royal William Yard to Mount Batten, including the Barbican, Queen Anne’s Battery and Plymouth Hoe.
The business plan envisages £1,883,430 being raised from a levy on businesses and supplemented with another £100,000 from other sources. It means events such as Plymouth Pirates Weekend, Seafood and Harbour Festival and the Barbican’s Christmas Extravaganza and Lights Switch-on will continue.
