The chief executive of Cheltenham BID is stepping down at the end of September to take up a new role overseas, the organisation announced on 2 July. Francesca Inman joined the business improvement district in May 2024 and took charge of steering the renewal ballot that secured an emphatic third term for the town-centre body.
Inman arrived from Bristol, where she had been head of projects for three city-centre BIDs, and brought experience from North Somerset Council’s regeneration team. She succeeded Heath Gunter, who left to work in education, and went on to oversee an 82 per cent yes vote from levy-paying businesses in October 2025. Cheltenham BID chair Alex Rose said Inman had shown “leadership, commitment and energy” and had positioned the organisation well for its new five-year term, which runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031.
Since launching in 2016, Cheltenham BID has channelled £3.8 million into the town centre, and it now represents more than 800 businesses. The board says Inman will stay in post throughout her notice period to give partners and ongoing projects a steady handover. A recruitment process for her successor will begin shortly.
The BID secured its third term with a clear mandate after the ballot confirmed continued investment in cleansing programmes, public-realm improvements and business support. Inman said the vote gave the organisation a clear direction. “Thank you to all the businesses that voted,” she added. “This result gives us a clear mandate to continue delivering for the town.”
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