Weymouth BID has announced its new chief operations officer.

Claudia Moore will be taking on the role following the departure of former BID manager, Nigel Reed.

Mrs Moore has joined the BID for the start of 2018 from a successful background in both business and serving the community through local politics. 

Mre Moore's last role was with Jordan’s Dorset Ryvita, where she worked as a Customer Supply Executive, building relationships with both local and international customers. 

For the past three and a half years Mrs Moore has also been a Councillor for Weymouth West, a role which she will be stepping down from in order to join the BID.

Steve Newstead, chairman of the Weymouth BID, has said: “The board and I are absolutely delighted that Claudia has joined the BID team. 

"In her interview she set out many exciting ideas that I believe will help Weymouth to flourish as a destination, and she has already started building relationships with BID levy payers and other local stakeholders.”

Claudia is still involved in local charities and community groups, such as Friends of the Rodwell Trail and Julia’s House, and believes the BID has a crucial role to play in the future of Weymouth.

Claudia said: "I am really looking forward to working with the levy payers to gather their views and ideas for the future development of Weymouth. 

"I am aware that some people have a more positive view of the BID than others, and in my role I will deliver an improved relationship between the BID and its stakeholders, which will include regular communication and building a respectful and cooperative partnership.”

Mrs Moore was appointed following a recruitment and selection process coordinated by local HR consultancy provider, Quay HR Solutions.  To ensure fairness and transparency, all applications for the publicly advertised role were shortlisted anonymously based on the pre-determined criteria for the role.

In May 2018 the ballot to determine the renewal of the Weymouth BID (BID2) is due to take place, and in advance of that Mrs Moore is keen to hear from BID Levy payers; contact her by email on claudiamoore@weymouthbid.co.uk

Dorset Echo:

Picture: GARETH MOORE

Mrs Moore's resignation as a councillor is not expected to prompt a by-election at the current time, the borough council says.

Mrs Moore was elected to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council as a Conservative candidate in the 2014 elections and has served on various committees and working groups. In 2016 she switched to the Greens.

Speaking about stepping down as a councillor, Mrs Moore said: "It is with deep sadness that I have stood down due to a possible conflict of interest but I will continue to work hard on behalf of our local community and Green party.

"Being a councillor has been a huge privilege and I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved alongside my fellow Green Councillors, Clare Sutton and Jon Orrell.

"I’m very grateful I have been given the opportunity and glad that residents in Weymouth West voted for me to represent them; it’s been both a challenging and interesting couple of years.

"I am particularly delighted that as a party we have made great strides in improving our town through regular litter picks, conservation policy and community engagement.

"I would like to thank my fellow councillors, WPBC officers, our local Green Party members and the residents of Weymouth West for all their support and passion for our area.”

Cllr Sutton said: "It's been a huge pleasure working alongside Claudia in Weymouth West and it is a great disappointment that she needs to stand down, but I am very happy for her that she has secured such an exciting new role.

"We anticipate that it will be brilliant for Weymouth."

Cllr Alison Reed, WPBC's spokesman for corporate affairs and continuous improvement, added: "As Cllr Moore was due to retire or stand for re-election in May, we cannot seek to fill the casual vacancy at the current time. 

"However, if as part of the Local Government Reorganisation process an order is made to cancel or postpone the scheduled elections for Weymouth and Portland Borough in 2018, we would then seek to hold an election to fill this vacancy.”