High Wycombe's business improvement district is on the lookout for a new chief executive. 

The organisation, which represents businesses across the town centre, is hoping to find a new CEO by May next year as the current holder of the role, Melanie Williams is due to step down. 

Melanie has worked with High Wycombe Bidco for six years and previously served as town centre manager for three years from 2008. 

After success at the most recent ballet in 2022 which saw 87 per cent of businesses vote in support of the organisation, she now plans to move into supporting her family's business, Shardeloes Farm and Equestrian Centre in Amersham. 

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The CEO said: "I consider it slightly more a calling than a career but I’ve been in place six years and an additional three as Town Centre Manager back in 2008 and I think the time has come to put a bit more support to the family business.

"I highly value this organisation. There is nothing else that can do what a Business Improvement District can.

"I picked this particular moment in time because it works well with the organisation.

"The staff team are in a robust place, we are experienced and secure in our project delivery.

"The ballet will be in June 2027 so actually recruiting somebody at this juncture and making sure they’re in post before June 2025, will give somebody a two-year run-up which seems like a good steady period of time."

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The Bidco recently organised the Christmas Light Switch-On in the town centre and also plans the family music festival Frogfest in May. 

Funding for the organisation comes from a mandatory levy paid by businesses who vote for the BID at ballots every five years with the BID then providing additional or improved services.

Melanie added: "I care very much about the organisation and as a local High Wycombe resident I will offer as much time and continuity to the role as possible in order to do a full and thorough handover and be able to support the organisation so that it is a smooth transition.

"Some of the things that I’m most proud of that we’ve achieved are obviously the project delivery that makes a difference but it’s the partnership working that you can’t make any change without, you can’t deliver anything.

"Bringing those stakeholders together and building those relationships and that trust in order to be able to deliver has been an absolutely key part of our mandate.

"I’m most proud of the ballet results that we got. We’re actually growing in the mandate and support of businesses."

The closing date for applications to the role was November 6.