The head of Newcastle city centre's business improvement district NE1 is to step down this summer.
Adrian Waddell, NE1's chief executive, has been a prominent voice for pubs, restaurants and other city centre businesses during the pandemic.
He is to step down in the summer afte 11 years with the organisation and three in its top job.
Mr Waddell successfully steered NE1 to win the ballot of members it needs to continue its operation when it was last held in 2018.
He will remain in post for the next six months as the city centre begins to re-open, and to ensure an orderly hand-over to his successor over the summer. A search for the next chief executive has begun.
Mr Waddell said: “This last year has been very challenging for city businesses, almost across the board. Now that we are hopefully over the worst NE1 is looking forward to the future and is in a strong position to tackle the challenges facing the city, post-Covid, along with making the most of the new opportunities that will undoubtedly emerge.
“With the path ahead looking more optimistic, it was the right time to step down, leaving the way clear for my successor to shape the next, exciting chapter for NE1 and the city.
“I think Newcastle is in a strong position, with lots of exciting things in the pipeline. We can be ambitious for the city’s future. NE1’s experienced team is well positioned to continue its important work with city centre businesses, and with the support of the NE1 board.”
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Mr Waddell, a former soldier, took the top job at NE1 in 2018, having previously been its operations director.
His time at the organisation has seen it become one of the largest and most successful BID companies in the 海角视频.
He has been critical of the lack of Government support for businesses forced to close during coronavirus lockdowns, at one point saying that firms were in “utter despair” at Ministers’ handling of the pandemic. Last week he gave a cautious welcome to the Government’s roadmap to end the national lockdown, but called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to announce support for businesses in this week’s Budget.
Adam Serfontein, chair of the board of NE1 Ltd said: “Adrian has been a passionate and committed chief executive who has done a great job navigating NE1 and the team through what has been one of the most difficult years in business history.
“In his role as chief executive and prior to that as operations director of NE1, he has accrued an impressive track record in delivering major milestone projects that have helped shape the city. NE1 and the city have benefited from Adrian’s passion and commitment and we wish him well for the future.”