Georgina Bartlett is the new Chair of Poole Business Improvement District (BID).

She takes up a position that has been vacant since the previous Chair resigned in January this year.

Georgina will be supported in the role by Sara St George who was voted Vice Chair by the Board of Poole BID at the same time.

Georgina lives and works in the Poole BID area.

She is the Founder and Managing Director of Saltwater Stone, a specialist international marine marketing and communications agency based in Strand Street.

Georgina has lived in central Poole for more than 30 years and said she recognises both the issues and opportunities of the area.

She said: “I’m excited by the challenges ahead and am committed to doing everything I can to deliver the 2021-2026 Business Plan as voted by the levy payers in May 2021.

“I’m lucky to be supported by an equally enthusiastic Vice Chair, Sara St George, and we, along with the wider Board and executive team, plan to work together to bring change to the High Street and wider BID area.”

Sara, pictured, is Deputy CEO at Lighthouse, Poole.

With a background in strategy, governance, marketing, fundraising, inner city regeneration, culture and tourism, she is regarded as ideally placed to support the delivery of the Business Plan.

Sara said: “I have lived in Poole for over 20 years, and I am delighted to be able to play a part in driving forward the BID ambitions on behalf of levy payers.

“The BID Board is new, as most of the directors have been elected this year.

“Together we have a common goal to make a difference to the Poole BID area and to support the businesses that trade within it, and to create a welcoming environment to visitors and residents alike.”

Welcoming Georgina and Sara as Chair and Vice Chair respectively, Jacqui Rock, Poole BID Lead, pictured left, said: “2022 has seen a positive turnaround in Poole BID with the appointment of a new Board made up of enthusiastic and talented directors representing a range of levy payers.

“The addition of a Chair and Vice Chair committed to steering the Board and the BID executive team completes the picture and will, I believe, make a real difference in driving improvements to the Poole BID area.”

Poole BID said further updates and announcements of initiatives will come in future months, starting with the formal process of applying for accreditation from British BIDs, the membership organisation focusing entirely on BIDs.

Established in 2016, the current Poole BID area includes almost 500 businesses.

It covers the core areas of Poole Quay, Poole High Street, the Dolphin Shopping Centre, the bus station and Lighthouse, Poole.

The Chair, Vice Chair and directors of Poole BID are independent and give their time voluntarily.