The Board of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Plymouth’s waterfront which encompasses businesses from Bretonside to the Royal William Yard and includes the Mount Batten peninsula, are pleased to announce that Sarah Gibson has recently been appointed as Chief Executive.
Sarah will be a familiar face to many, having held the role previously from 2010 to 2020.
Nick Buckland OBE, Chair, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership:
“Following a multi-stage interview process, myself and the Board of the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership are delighted to announce Sarah as the new CEO. Sarah brings with her not only direct experience of managing the BID from her previous time in role, but also wider knowledge and experience of place-making, stakeholder engagement and forming strong business relationships. As the BID enters its renewal period ahead of 2027, Sarah’s insights, tenacity and passion for the waterfront will be key ingredients to ensuring the BID’s continuing success.
I’d like to thank both Jon Walton [previous CEO] for his time in role and wish him well for the future, and Kim Downer for stepping up into the interim CEO role from her role as Deputy CEO during this recruitment process.”
Sarah Gibson, incoming CEO, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership:
“I’m delighted to be returning to Plymouth’s waterfront and look forward to working once again with the Board, the BID team, our waterfront businesses and partner organisations. We’ve significant opportunity in the strength of the Waterfront BID developed over fifteen years through its committed business community, whilst the exciting declaration of Plymouth Sound National Marine Park positions us uniquely in the UK. I can’t wait to get started.”
Sarah returns to Plymouth’s waterfront straight from her most recent role as Manager of the Tamar Valley National Landscape, an area of 75 square miles of nationally important nature and heritage encompassing the Rivers Tamar, Tavy and Lynher and their surrounding communities. The Tamar Valley was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1995 and celebrates its 30th Anniversary this summer.
The Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) has been in operation since April 2012 and is delivered through Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation. The BID encompasses more than 960 businesses (approximately 560 Voting Levy Payers and 400 Basic Level Businesses) across four square miles of the Plymouth waterfront.
Every five years, in 2017 and 2022, Plymouth Waterfront businesses voted in favour to renew the BID and it now operates until the end of March 2027.
Projects outlined in the current Business Plan are focused around four key themes: Business Voice, Environmental Excellence, Vibrant Tourist Attraction, Transformational – Creating The Waterfront Of Tomorrow, Today.
Plymouth Waterfront Partnership works in close partnership with the Plymouth City Centre Company BID, Destination Plymouth and Plymouth City Council and is responsible for key events across the waterfront each year including Plymouth Pirates Weekend, Seafest and the Barbican Christmas Lights Switch On.
Sarah takes up the role as Chief Executive at the end of September.
