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Lee Walker appointed CEO of Ipswich Central

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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.

Photo of Lee Walker
Lee Walker was appointed as CEO of Ipswich Central on 01 July, 2024Ipswich Central

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 .

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Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

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The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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