MEET THE BID BOARD
The Board allows for representation from each key stakeholder organisation, representatives from voluntary stakeholder organisations, a community representative, and representatives from a range of sectors within the BID levy-paying business community.
BID Board Directors
Warwick Heskins, BID Chair
Warwick is the Director of West Berkshire Pub Company Limited which runs The Catherine Wheel in Cheap Street and more recently The Spare Wheel in Market Place. He has 11 years’ experience in the hospitality industry.
Prior to this Warwick spent 21 years working in the corporate head offices of BT then o2/Telefonica as a buyer and Senior Internal Auditor.
Since Warwick opened the Catherine Wheel in 2014 the pub has gone from strength to strength allowing him to open an additional venue ‘The Spare Wheel' in Market Place in 2020.
Warwick has worked closely with the BID in the past and, in his new role on the board, looks forward to working with the new Newbury BID team to help develop Newbury town centre during this difficult period, and out the other side, especially ensuring independents have their voices heard.
Outside of work Warwick is a Reading FC season ticket holder and enjoys playing 5-a-side football when time allows.
- Sector: Independent Hospitality
- Area: Cheap Street & Market Street
Richard Farley, Deputy Chair
Richard is the Centre Manager of the Kennet Shopping Centre and has been involved in the scheme in some form since 1997. Before taking the reins of the centre in April 2019, Richard was the Operations Manager, Service Manager and Security Officer at the centre having progressed through the ranks since he was 18 years old. He also managed 15 different facility teams in shopping centres, offices and retail parks across the country from Plymouth to Leicester to Kent, including of course, the Kennet Centre.
A keen board member since June 2019, Richard wanted to be part of the larger community business wise, having been a resident since his teenage years, and make a difference with the different sectors working together for the town.
In his spare time Richard can be seen on the stands of Madejski Stadium supporting Reading FC and is a very keen follower of Formula One.
- Sector: Shopping Centres
- Area: The Kennet Centre
Ian Batho
Ian Batho is currently landlord of Newbury's, indeed, West Berkshire's first Micro Pub and is happily married with two children and three grandchildren. He moved to Newbury in 1988 after starting work in the area as a newsagent. After 30 years of 4am starts, Ian felt the time was right for a change and became Landlord of The Woodpecker Public House at Washwater. In 2014 the opportunity presented itself to open a Micro Pub in Inches Yard, which has seen visitors from all over the UK.
Ian believes that small businesses are the backbone of the economy and by working together with Newbury BID, they can help each other to be successful. Outside of work Ian loves spending time with friends and family and helping his wife on her allotment.
- Sector: Independent Hospitality
- Area: Inches Yard
Arif Goksel
My name is Arif Goksel, and I have been a proud resident of Newbury for over a decade. I bring with me a wealth of experience from my time at Vodafone, where I collaborated with various teams and worked on numerous projects since 2012. Currently, I am managing two well-regarded establishments in town: The Sushi Maki and Chego’s.
In addition to my professional pursuits, I have made several investments in Newbury, including residential and commercial properties. I wholeheartedly believe that Newbury is an exceptional place to live and am eager to contribute to its continuous growth and development.
As a member of the BID, I am determined to make a positive impact and help shape the future of our vibrant community. I look forward to working together to ensure Newbury remains a thriving and prosperous place for all.
Jo Wakeman
Jo has been recently appointed General Manager of Camp Hopson Department Store in Northbrook Street, part of the Morley’s Group.
She has over 25 years’ experience in retail management, including several years in London Oxford Street. Prior to joining Camp Hopson Jo was an area manager for a fashion brand with 28 stores across the South of England.
Jo has worked closely with BID partnerships in Winchester before, and is passionate about Newbury and looking forward to working with the BID team to continually evolve and strengthen the local businesses in our community.
- Sector: Retail
- Area: Northbrook Street
Ashley Morris
Ashley Morris is the General Manager of the Newbury Spring Festival where he’s worked since 2014. He’s worked in the music industry for his whole professional career having worked for the London Philharmonic Orchestra travelling widely, and later the International Artist Manager’s Association before coming to Newbury.
Ashley moved to Newbury 10 years ago with his young family, moving back closer to his roots having grown up just up the A34 in Oxfordshire.
It’s clear to Ashley that Newbury has a great deal to offer, from a wide variety of independent shops and eateries to a wonderful Arts provision in the area with The Corn Exchange, The Watermill, Ace Space, 101 Outdoor Arts and more all on our doorstep!
Outside work Ashley continues to perform as an amateur musician, and enjoys time out and about with his family in his VW Campervan.
- Sector: Arts
- Area: Cheap Street
Chris Clarke
Chris began his career in IT back in 2000, working his way up from junior support roles to managing IT for a global high-tech manufacturing business, before founding Create IT in 2010.
He merged his business with Equity Networks in 2024, and now manages the Newbury site that serves around 100 businesses in the local area.
Chris is Newbury born and bred, and thoroughly believes in supporting the local economy for the benefit of it’s residents and businesses alike. He believes in using the BID as a vehicle to increase awareness of Newbury and publicise the local scene to continually attract investment into the town for the benefit of its community.
- Sector: Arts
- Area: Cheap Street
Andrew Marmot (Non-Exec)
Andrew is the Centre Manager of Parkway Shopping Centre. He has worked in the shopping centre industry for well over a decade and arrived in Newbury in 2017 and fell in love with the town and the potential it offers.
He has a strong interest in enlivenment and sustainability and believes that these pillars of opportunity are a critical part the future of the retail property industry and aims to continue delivering these to Parkway.
Andrew has been a member of the BID Board since 2017, he believes that Newbury needs a strong BID to ensure it succeeds as a destination for retail, leisure and living.
Away from his shopping centre work, Andrew enjoys spending time with his family and when he can grab moments of peace and quiet loves getting lost in a good book.
- Sector: Shopping Centres
- Area: Parkway Shopping
