BLOG: Head of Place Chris reflects on his first month at Locus
Written by Chris Barnard
It has been just over a month since I started in my role as Head of Place at Locus, and what a month it has been.
The beauty of the BID industry is the people in it, and the passion that they have for place. Having worked in the industry over the past 15 years, I have seen the transformation of towns and cities across the country. In my role at Locus I am able to share my knowledge and experience with our clients to fast-track the outcomes that Locus has for their businesses.
Since starting with Locus, I have been working with BIDs across the UK on various projects including feasibility studies, mobilising a newly formed BID and launching a group for independent retailers. No two days have been the same, but they have all been rewarding. One of the key things that differentiates Locus from other companies I have worked for is their relationships both internally and externally. They become an extension of their clients team, which is invaluable and key to delivering the best possible outcomes.
Cardiff Bay, the location of the ATCM Summer School
One of the highlights from my first month was attending the Association of Town & City (ATCM) Summer School in Cardiff. This was a multi-sector event which was attended by leaders from across the urban place management industry and key figures who are supporting the digital and industrial revolution. The event looked at the changes that have taken place across our towns and cities, and how we can aid the recovery in order to increase the success of our high streets. The Locus team fully immersed themselves in the event taking part in the interactive workshops, and discussing the ideas that will benefit town and city centres across the UK. It was a great opportunity to catch up with old contacts and make new ones.
Locus is definitely making its mark in the industry, and the projects we are working on are already producing positive results. This is testament to the people that work for Locus, and their invaluable industry experience. Our team is extremely knowledgeable and knows the industry inside out - understanding the expectations of clients, meeting and exceeding them.
Locus has achieved so much in a short period of time, and the potential that it has is tremendous. I am excited to see what the future holds both for me and the amazing team that I now have the pleasure of working with.