Preston businessman Rob Binns has been appointed as the chairman of Downtown in Business, Lancashire.
Binns will take over the role from Sue Grindrod from April, as DIB prepares to reintroduce its live events programme and step up its activity in the county, having been appointed as the secretariat for the Lancashire All Party Parliamentary Group.
DIB Chief Executive Frank McKenna said:
“I am delighted that Rob has agreed to take on this important role for us. He is an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word. He has been involved as a member and sponsor of Downtown for many years now, so it is great that we have been able to persuade him t take on a more active position within the organisation.”
“Rob is a visionary leader, fusing corporate experience with entrepreneurial passion. He has worked for key global players in technology services across aerospace, defence, manufacturing, finance, education, health and the third sector. He is a highly driven entrepreneur with a proven track record in the technology, energy, cosmetics, and property sectors. I know he will make a valuable contribution to the work of DIB”
Mr Binns, who currently holds various roles in the county, ranging from Founder to Non-Exec Director, is a member of Preston’s Towns Fund Board, and a Leader in Residence at the University of Central Lancashire, commented:
“I am looking forward to contributing to the work of Downtown in Business over the coming months. DIB has exciting plans for the future and have become an influential business voice not just in the Northwest, but across the country. We really want to get stuck into the issues that impact on Lancashire businesses – and do what we can to promote the massive potential and opportunity the county has in the post-pandemic economy.”
Mr McKenna also paid tribute to Sue Grindrod. “It has been a challenging time to be involved in any business, but particularly one that is usually so driven by live events. However, Sue has been brilliant in staying in touch with what is happening across the county, particularly within the hospitality sector, and I am pleased that her involvement will continue with us as part of a new advisory board we will launch in the Summer.”
