A NEW chairman has been appointed at Bournemouth’s Coastal Business Improvement District (BID) in the first stage of a leadership handover.

Paul Clarke, general manager of the town’s Hallmark Hotel, succeeds Des Simmons, who served two-and-a-half years in the post.

Mr Simmons had spent two years before that as chair of the steering group, which set up the BID and got it voted through by businesses in 2012.

The next stage in a succession plan is for a new manager to take over when Alun Williams retires in June.

The post is being advertised at a salary of £40,000.

Mr Clarke said: “I am delighted to be taking over as chair of the BID at this stage and I am looking forward to the next three to four years. “The BID has gained great momentum and I will be ensuring that this continues.

“Although an hotelier by background, I am especially looking forward to working with and learning more about the retail businesses as we look towards the next stage of the BID’s development.”

Mr Williams’s retirement has been timed to ensure a six-month handover period with the new chairman.

Mr Williams said of his replacement: “The board are looking for someone with a diverse range of skills; somebody who might have a background in town centre management or working for a BID or in marketing. “They will need to be able to think strategically and tactically and to work with a wide variety of local organisations, busin-esses and individuals.”

Mr Clarke said: “The Coastal BID board would like to thank Des for his amazing contribution to the Coastal BID over the last few years. He has had a lasting and positive impact.

“He has taken the BID from the seed of an idea to a fully functioning dynamic organis-ation that is having a real impact in the coastal business communities in Bournemouth.”