[K]eith Jackson, retail expert and researcher at the University of Cumbria’s Centre for Regional Economic Development (CRED), has been invited to join the advisory board of national network ‘Revive and Thrive’.
Experience gained during nine years with CRED on various research projects for a range of external clients form local councils, the Welsh Assembly, Whitehall departments and various other local bodies and businesses, gives Keith the ideal background for his new role.
In addition, before joining the university, Keith ran his own retail business in partnership with his wife, growing from a turnover of £5000 a week to several £millions a year, and winning national acclaim including Scottish Retailer of the Year and Robert Wiseman Dairies’ UK Neighbourhood Retailer of the Year.
He explains the background to his new role: “Revive & Thrive provides a national network connecting people, places and businesses so that they can work together to make their ‘places’ better. They specialise in ‘Place Management’, particularly through the introduction of Business Improvement Districts, and offer an end-to-end service to meet whatever needs a place might have. The Revive & Thrive team works with some of the nation’s most experienced and knowledgeable place practitioners to deliver information, advice and guidance for place makers.
“Membership of Revive and Thrive offers access to a huge network of place experts, and national and regional events, as well as offering a promotional platform for business or place via the website, social media and national online Place magazine. This national framework connects people and places to influence change where we live, work and play.
“The Revive & Thrive Team proposition, therefore, is as simple as it sounds. They work with passionate people, place experts and town solution providers so that together we can make our places great.”
Keith continues: “As a member of the Revive & Thrive Advisory Board I support the Revive & Thrive Team and Non-Executive Board of Directors in their work to represent and support all UK places and Business Improvement Districts. I also write a small blog in their online magazine.”
In addition to Keith’s work with CRED and Revive and Thrive, he is also vice chair of Carlisle Food City, a partner in Jardine Jackson Associates, and a director of Bruce and Luke’s, his son’s coffee business.
