BOOSTING businesses in the town centre is the goal of the new boss at Rugby town centre’s Business Improvement District (BID) company.
Rugby First has appointed new Operations Director Rich Warren, and bid a fond farewell to Aftab Gaffar.
Aftab steered the Rugby BID for 13 years, first as the Operations Manager and then as Managing Director, and will be taking up a new national role in the retail sector.
Rich, a Business Relationship Manager and qualified Business Mentor, has been supporting businesses across Rugby for the last four years in his previous role with the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub.
The hub has supported over 300 Rugby businesses with their growth plans during his time there, and he was one of the founders and Chair of the Rugby Drive Collaborative business initiative.
Rich said: “Aftab has done an excellent job and on behalf of Rugby First and the local business community I would like to extend our thanks and wish him well in his new venture.
“He has successfully steered the town centre through some extremely challenging economic times and been responsible for the introduction of the Rangers and Cleaning team, the transformation of the CCTV Control System and the development and delivery of an exciting events programme.”
Rich said he was passionate about Rugby and was keen to make a difference in his new role.
He said: “Priorities for me will be ensuring a smooth transition that continues to deliver quality services, engaging with town centre businesses to understand how best Rugby First can support them, working with local stakeholders to investigate opportunities to improve the town centre, and to understand what support town centre businesses need to be successful.”
Aftab said: “Rugby’s BID was one of the first in Warwickshire and part of the initial pilot scheme. There are now over 300 in the UK, with Rugby’s being used nationally as an example of best practice and for training.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support over the past 13 years and wish them well under the leadership of the new Director.”
