New Chair Appointed for Boston Town Board

Joanna Brigham has been announced as the new Chair of Boston Town Board.

Joanna, a highly experienced senior leader who has held chief executive and director roles within a broad range of organisations, assumes the role after former chair Neil Kempster decided to step down.

Joanna's appointment comes as the Boston Town Board begins a new phase in its existence having been repurposed to oversee the delivery of £20M Long Term Plan for Towns funding awarded to Boston.

This additional funding complements the £21.9M Town Deal funding which is being invested in Boston through a number of transformational projects, including the new Mayflower learning centre at Boston College and improvements to the Geoff Moulder Centre.

Joanna, who was also most recently Chief Executive of UK Shared Business Services Ltd and previously CEO for the Scottish Police Services Authority, and Director of Strategy and Marketing for the Royal Parks said: "I am so pleased to have been appointed to lead Boston Town Board through its next chapter, when we will build on the successful and significant progress to date and look to the future by creating and overseeing the implementation of a long term plan for Boston.

"I would like to thank my predecessor Neil who has held the position of chair almost from the very beginning. I look forward to continuing to work with him and all the board members as we bring together our shared skills, commitment, and ambition for Boston to make a difference for the town."

Neil, who is Land and Development Director of Chestnut Homes was an inaugural member of the Board and has been chair of the Boston Town Board since June 2020. During his four years at the helm, the Board's role expanded after further funding including Levelling Up and more recently Long Term Plan for Towns investment was awarded to Boston.

Neil said: "It has been a privilege to serve as Chair for the Boston Town Board, and to be involved in shaping the town investment plan and projects ever since the announcement of the funding.

"Following the establishment of the Boston Town Board in 2020, which enabled the Boston Town Deal investment of £21.9 million, we have supported significant further funding and investment into Boston. This has included Levelling Up and Levelling Up Partnership, match funding for the Town Deal, UK Shared Prosperity Funding, High Street Task Force support and most recently the Long Term Plan for Towns funding.

"Now, with the changes in the board's role, it feels like the right time for me to step down. I am looking forward to remaining as a board member, and continuing to work with Jo and the otherboard members. I wish Jo all the very best in her role as chair."

Councillor Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council said: "I think I speak for all the partner organisations who are represented on the Town Board when I say that Neil's chairmanship over the last four years has given a steady and stable influence, giving oversight to the important major projects of the Town Deal. I am delighted that he has chosen to stay on as a board member and is willing to offer his vast wealth of experience as we move forward with the Long Term Plan for Towns."