New year brings change at helm of Nairn BID board after chair steps down
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NAIRN’S organisation for businesses is starting the new year with shared responsibility at the top.
Previous Nairn Connects BID chairwoman Morag Holding stood down at the end of December and the role will now be shared by previous board members Karen Stuart and Tracy Cameron.
Mrs Holding, who owns The Havelock hotel with husband Gordon and had been chair of the board for two years, said the decision to retire from the board was taken to allow her to focus on developing her business.
She said : “I will remain fully engaged as a BID member, keen to support and help direct the essential work of Nairn BID. I am full of optimism for the future of Nairn’s businesses and looking forward with confidence for the changes BID will deliver in 2024.”
Mrs Stuart, who owns a self-catering property and High Street shop Vitamin Sea with husband Phill, will focus her attention on the business association aspect of Nairn BID, whilst Ms Cameron, who is a business development manager for Scotland Food & Drink, will look after its tourism functions.
Mrs Stuart said: “I am really looking forward to representing the businesses and encouraging businesses to work with the BID and each other. It’s important to me to make positive connections and have good engagement.”
The new co-chair, who has a strong commercial background with 20 years retail management experience,She added: “I am also looking forward to sharing the chair’s role with Tracy and I am sure we will work well together.
“We both have a lot to bring to the table and we also have a different skillset.
“So I think this is a really positive move for the BID and therefore the businesses that it represents.
“It’s important that we keep progressing and keep moving forward.”
Ms Cameron has held a position on the board since June 2022. She added: “It is a real privilege to co-chair Nairn BID alongside Karen.
“Tourism has always been an important sector for our seaside town and we have a responsibility to our members to continue to increase visitor numbers.
“Nairn has lots to offer a wide age range of holiday-makers and, working closely with our members, we will endeavour to showcase their business through our Visit Nairn website.” I have a background in hospitality and currently support food and drink producers across the region with the aim to get more Scottish products in kitchens all over the world. With Cory Jones as my vice-chair, who brings a huge amount of experience in the tourism sector, together with the rest of the board, we will work hard to understand our members’ objectives and support them.”
Other board members are: Ian Fyfe of McDonald’s who will assist Karen as vice chair, Cory Jones as vice chair for Tracy, treasurer Mike Michell, secretary Peter Saggers, Bob Ferenth, Mag Nicolson and Mandy Rush.
