Thank you Leigh

Tuesday 25th November, 2025

Newham BID extends its thanks to outgoing chairman Leigh Ibbotson, who is stepping down after five years in the role.

Owner of the Cher Varya group, which looks after commercial and residential properties, Leigh was keen to “give back to the area that had served us very well”. However, he had little inkling what his tenure as chair would have in store.

Leigh has presided over the BID’s challenge against council proposals to improve cycle lane provision by narrowing Newham Road. The BID became the first in the UK to take legal action against a local authority, achieving “a small victory” in a reduction of the narrowing.

Members also campaigned to change access plans for a proposed bridge to Boscawen Park, highlighting the diagonal route from Lighterage Quay to the bottom of Lighterage Hill as dangerous. Newham BID still advocates for a cantilevered cycle and footpath alongside the narrow bend of Newham Road.

“If we’ve achieved one thing as a BID, it has been to pull businesses together in the face of challenges, while trying to maintain a normal level of service in the things a BID does: signage, training, keeping areas tidy and grit in boxes,” says Leigh.

“We must be doing something right, as we were also the first UK BID to achieve a 100% ‘yes’ vote from members when it came to our renewal.”

The mantle of chair will be passed onto Carole Theobald, chief executive of iSight Cornwall. “Things need a refresh from time to time,” says Leigh, “and with the departure of Mel Richardson as BID manager, it seemed a good idea to have a new team look at things.”

He will, however, continue to serve on the board, contributing to Newham’s ongoing contribution to the local economy. “The rateability of the estate is similar to that of a town centre BID like Camborne, but it gets overlooked. People think it’s just the bit beyond Tesco, but we’re home to Biffa, the bus company, South West Water and Royal Mail, to name a few, all of whom employ a lot of people. That has to have a positive impact on the city.”