Ex-Age UK chief takes lead promoting the city centre

Alan Patchett has swapped working for Sunderland’s older residents to championing the city centre.

Sixty-five-yearoldAlan,who spent more than 14 years as director of Age UK Sunderland before retiring earlier this year, is to take up a new post as the chairman of the board of SunderlandBusinessImprovement District (Bid).

Alan, who has been on the Board of the Bid since its inception, has been elected to chair the organisation, which aims to promote Sunderland city centre.

“I am and have always been very passionate about Sunderland and am looking forward to being able to make an even bigger contribution to the Bid,” he said.

“We’ve had some great achievements so far but now we need to build on those with a strong board and the support ofSharonAppleby,thenewhead of business operations, and the team.

“Our main priorities are to raise the profile of Sunderland. Therearesomanygreatchanges takingplaceatthemomentand weneedtoshowpeoplethatthe city really is a fantastic place to visit, to eat and to play.

“Changing perceptions is a major issue for us, which is why it’simportantforeveryonetoget behindtheBidandworktogether to make a difference.”

Non-executive director Allison Thompson welcomed the appointment: “The board is delighted to have appointed Alan as its new chair,” she said.

“He had a wealth of experience and has been on the Bid boardsinceitsinceptionin2014.

“We are entering a new phase in the Bid’s journey and preparing the ground for its second term with some new andexcitingdevelopmentsdue to come on stream.”