FALMOUTH Business Improvement District (BID) have announces the appointment of Keren Cooksey who will commence work as the BID’s new manager on July 7.

Keren brings over 25 years worth of global experience in marketing, communications, stakeholder engagement and business development. Her previous career roles have spanned London, Bristol and Australia, prior to her relocating to Cornwall in 2014.

Her background also includes leading award-winning strategies for national brands and government bodies, along with extensive work in event management, business growth, and internal culture transformation.

Locally, Keren is already a familiar face to many, she’s been an active part of the business community – not least through running her own yoga studio, Falmouth Yoga Space, alongside senior roles with Great Cornish Food and the Cornish Pasty Association.

Keren takes over the day-to-day running of Falmouth BID, and its range of projects and campaigns, from Richard Wilcox who recently left to take up a new role in London.

Keren will immediately be engaging and consulting with businesses throughout the town whilst delivering against the already-confirmed Falmouth BID business plan and leading new projects which are currently in development.

Keren says, “I’m absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the new Falmouth BID Manager. I’ve always loved Falmouth’s energy and creativity, and I’m excited to get out and meet the 400+ fantastic businesses that make our town so special.

“It’s these hard-working, entrepreneurial and successful businesses who make Falmouth such an incredible place to live, work, visit and network, and I’m honoured to bring my skills to the mix to be able to support this incredible collaborative port with a purpose. I’m keen to hear the BID members’ thoughts, ideas, and challenges so that we can work together to keep Falmouth thriving.”

“I’ve been a local resident for many years and within that time have been highly impressed by the results-driven work and dynamism of Richard Wilcox and the BID working with the Falmouth Town Team. I’m well aware that I have ‘big boots’ to fill following Richard’s solid 15-year tenure, but I’m very much looking forward to getting started, and to getting up and down the main streets, meeting as many of the BID businesses as soon as possible.”

Keren will be working extensively with the Falmouth BID directors, an experienced board made up of dedicated, local business owners and leaders. The BID directors give up their time freely to support the town, providing ongoing advice and direction for the not-for-profit Falmouth BID.

Chair of Falmouth BID, Rob Holmes, who is the executive director of finance at Falmouth University, said: “We are delighted to welcome Keren as the new Falmouth BID Manager and look forward to feedback from businesses throughout the town on what we can do to support them.

“We believe that Keren’s extensive global experience and in-depth knowledge of running a business in the town makes her the ideal choice to deliver the Falmouth BID Business Plan through our four themes of Elevating, Energising, Enhancing and Engaging.”