Rob Binns appointed as Downtown chair

Downtown in Business has appointed Rob Binns as chair of its Lancashire division.

The Preston-based entrepreneur currently holds various roles in the county, ranging from founder to non-executive director of several businesses. He is a member of Preston’s Towns Fund Board and a leader in residence at the University of Central Lancashire.

He said: "I am looking forward to contributing to the work of Downtown in Business over the coming months. DIB has exciting plans for the future and have become an influential business voice not just in the Northwest, but across the country.

"We really want to get stuck into the issues that impact on Lancashire businesses – and do what we can to promote the massive potential and opportunity the county has in the post-pandemic economy."

Frank McKenna, chief executive of Downtown in Business, said: "Rob is an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word. He has been involved as a member and sponsor of Downtown for many years now, so it is great that we have been able to persuade him t take on a more active position within the organisation.

"Rob is a visionary leader, fusing corporate experience with entrepreneurial passion. He has worked for key global players in technology services across aerospace, defence, manufacturing, finance, education, health and the third sector. He is a highly driven entrepreneur with a proven track record in the technology, energy, cosmetics, and property sectors. I know he will make a valuable contribution to the work of DIB."

Rob will take on the role in April, replacing Sue Grindrod. Frank said of Sue: "It has been a challenging time to be involved in any business, but particularly one that is usually so driven by live events.

"However, Sue has been brilliant in staying in touch with what is happening across the county, particularly within the hospitality sector, and I am pleased that her involvement will continue with us as part of a new advisory board we will launch in the Summer."

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