Ipswich Central has announced the appointment of Lee Walker as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 July 2024.
Walker, an Ipswich resident, brings a decade of experience in the place-making industry to his new role and plans to enhance the town's safety and community pride.
Walker joins Ipswich Central following his tenure as Director of The Nottingham Project, where he collaborated with renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick on the Broad Marsh redevelopment, the largest city centre development space in Europe.
Ipswich Central hopes his background in harnessing culture and creativity for urban regeneration will give the BID a fresh perspective.
“I am proud to be from Ipswich and to call it home,” Walker stated. “It’s a home for me and my family but also home to an amazing community and businesses that range from small independents to a Premier League football team. I want to play a part in making sure that we seize the opportunity to shout loudly and proudly about Ipswich to the global audience we now have and celebrate everything that is great about our town.”
Walker emphasised his commitment to increasing the town’s cleanliness and safety, highlighting the implementation of a dedicated on-street security presence to enhance the town’s appeal to visitors. He also stressed the importance of a vibrant cultural, creative, and heritage sector, referencing the successful Thomas Wolsey 550 project as a foundation for future initiatives.
Terry Baxter, Chair of Ipswich Central, expressed confidence in Walker's appointment: “Following a rigorous search and recruitment process, I am delighted that Lee is joining us. With the recent high-profile success of our football team and the strong work delivered through the Wolsey 550 project, we are keen that the town looks and feels a safe place. We want to play our part in this, which is why we are committing additional resources straight to the front line of the town.”
You can find more information about Ipswich Central and its initiatives here.
