Elgin BID chief executive Gill Neill to step down
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THE chief executive of Elgin Business Improvement District (BID), Gill Neill, will step down on August 6.
Mrs Neill said 2019 had a been a hard year on a personal front and she and her husband have decided to retire and move closer to family.
Stephen Young, chairman of the board, said: “When we look back on the history of the Elgin BID, we find that different people featured in prominent ways at various times. Gill has played a key role over the last eight years steering Elgin BID through times of great change, no more so apparent than in the current climate we all face today.
"I believe using your talents and leaving a legacy is something we all desire to do and Gill has succeeded in doing this. Both Elgin and Moray in general is a better place to be because of Gill’s efforts. Let us hope we can all say that when our time comes.
"My final tribute is to say that such is the strength of the foundation that Gill has laid that I believe we can all face the future with confidence under new leadership.
"On behalf of Elgin BID board, Gill congratulations on a wonderful career, and best wishes for the next phase of your life, it has been many a person’s pleasure to know you and to work with you.”
Elgin BID has driven forward a large number of exciting and innovative projects over the last few years, including:
- the introduction of the Elgin Gift Card, which is accepted in more than 90 businesses across the city.
- a comprehensive City-wide marketing campaign.
- a popular events programme.
- a strong reduction in the number of vacant properties.
The company is now in its third phase, having successfully secured a mandate from the businesses to deliver a business plan designed and approved by their members.
These are uncertain times for all businesses, but Elgin BID will carry on with the work it has been doing and will continue to provide support to their business members. During these times, the company has been coordinating activities for the businesses and ensuring that they have been kept
up to date with funding streams and with help that has been on offer.
Mrs Neill said: “I have loved my time working with Elgin BID and have made many friends over the years. The decision to leave is completely personal as 2019 was a difficult year for me, I lost my mum in the spring, then my husband had an accident at work in November and my sister in law died just before Christmas.
"It was a lot of emotional upset and really caused my husband and I to have a serious think about the future. Tom has been in dreadful pain for the last seven months, which has been tough to watch. He needs to have surgery on his spine, and we are hoping to hear about that soon.
"Having thought long and hard, we do not want to risk his returning to work after his operation, so we have decided to retire and move closer to family.
"A huge amount has been achieved over the last 10 years in Elgin and I am immensely proud to have been part of that. At the moment Elgin, like every other place in the country, is having to cope with the effects of Covid-19, but we entered that situation in a stronger place than most other towns and I firmly believe that strength will return.”
If anyone wants more information about the post, please email Gill on gill.neill@elginbid.co.uk.
The board is keen to be proactive and to ensure that measures are put in place quickly so have decided to advertise the post immediately. Applications will close on July 10, with interviews taking place on July 15.
Business back Elgin BID for five more years
