Dinosaurs, Bear Hunts and Monopoly with Andrew Cooper, Chief Exec of LeedsBID

Leeds Business Podcast

Dinosaurs, Bear Hunts and Monopoly.

This week we have a slightly different episode as we speak to Andrew Cooper, Chief Exec of LeedsBID. LeedsBID has recently been voted in for a third term after a resounding endorsement from businesses in Leeds city centre - its Chapter 3 to run from April 2025-March 2030 will see the BID invest £18.2m back into the city centre through an array of projects, events and activities.

Have a listen as we discuss what LeedsBID is, what it does and how you benefit from it. We also discuss ESG, CSR and ASBs amongst other three letter acronyms and where did the Dinosaurs, Bear Hunts and Monopoly come from?

The business surgery answers the question; “I’m keen to develop my management team’s skillset. What areas do I need to look at in terms of leadership training?”

INTRODUCING ANDREW COOPER

Andrew is Chief Executive of LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District). Andrew is responsible for leading the work of LeedsBID as it invests over £14m in its current 5-year term through an aspirational and exciting project plan to transform Leeds city centre, bringing commercial benefit to levy paying businesses and enhancing the experience of all city users.

Prior to arriving in Leeds, he was Chief Executive of the Bath BID for eight years and credited with putting Bath on the map through a host of high-profile business events, including Bath in Fashion and the Great Bath Feast, which both won awards. Andrew also helped secure over £4m of economic investment in the UNESCO World Heritage city.

Andrew also served as the inaugural chair of the BID Foundation, is a High Street Task Force expert and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Place Management.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

[00:00:00] What is Leeds BID

[00:01:10] Boots, Town Partnerships and Bath

[00:05:00] Getting kids into the workplace

[00:09:00] ESG and CSR explained

[00:14:30] BIDs, their funding and their position in the political spectrum

[00:07:00] 'Managing' city centres

[00:23:00] All about Leeds BID and the pandemic

[00:31:00] Dinosaurs and Monopoly

[00:38:30] How to create a culture in your business

[00:44:00] Business Surgery

[00:50:00] How to get involved with Leeds BID

VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOU

Website: www.leedsbusinesspodcast.com

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leeds-business-podcast/

Work with Phil - www.philfraser.co.uk

Websites: https://www.leedsbid.co.uk/ https://leedsinternationalfestival.com/ https://welcometoleeds.co.uk/

Training at LeedsBID - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/training-at-leedsbid-15782347473

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cooper-59751029/

Shout out: http://www.mysolomon.co.uk/

This is a test to see if anyone reads shownotes. If you read this drop me an email to [e-mail] and you’ll get a shout out on the next episode.

DON'T FORGET THE LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST ‘FAIR DEAL’

My half of the agreement; Every week I bring you inspiring Leeds Business people FOR FREE.

Your half of the deal has two simple steps;

1) Share this episode with just ONE person who you think will get value from it

2) Post a review of the show or give this episode a ’thumbs up’

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE (and also mentioned in the episode)

https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/daniel-priestley/

https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/jane-slimming/

https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/business-problems-solved/

https://leedsbusinesspodcast.com/podcast/phil-fraser/

ABOUT YOUR HOST

Phil Fraser went from an accidental kitchen table start up, with no investment, all the way to multi-million pound sale to a PLC 18 years later. He’s travelled the full SME business journey of launch, growth, scale and exit.

As well as hosting the Leeds Business Podcast, Phil now works with ambitious SME-owners as a Business Sounding Board (think somewhere between Business Coach and Business Mentor). In simple terms, he’s ‘a pair of ears and an extra pair eyes’ for SME Owners helping them to be better at what they do. Phil’s mantra is It doesn’t need to be ‘lonely at the top’. He helps Business Owners to be better business owners, by helping with their clarity and focus.

As a Business Sounding Board, he gives SME Owners the time & space to regularly discuss their challenges and opportunities, with no sense of judgement or bias, and in complete confidence. This allows them to explore their options in full, culminating with a list of issues to address/clarify, a clear target in mind, a roadmap to success, and a renewed enthusiasm and confidence for the challenges ahead.

Want to work with Phil to help you? See www.philfraser.co.uk.

LEEDS BUSINESS PODCAST

Leeds, Leeds Business, Business in Leeds, Nous of Fraser, Business Sounding Board, Business Coach, Business Mentor,

Email: [e-mail]