Southside District announces Board Refresh and new Business Relationship Manager appointment
From left to right: Yanbo (Rob) Yang, Kelly Tipper, Li Keun Chin (Gene), James Wong, Dr Steve Ball, Dr Tom Goodman BEM, Lawrence Barton DL, Wei Du, Steve Cross, Luke Gallimore, Han Liu
Southside District has today announced a refresh of its Board of Directors alongside the appointment of a new Business Relationship Manager, marking an important next phase in strengthening engagement with businesses across the District.
The refreshed Board brings together senior leaders from across Southside’s diverse business community, representing key sectors including hospitality, culture, business, hotels and the local community.
Jon Gilchrist MBE, Birmingham Hippodrome’s Artistic Director and CEO, has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Board alongside Dr Steve Ball, the BID’s current Co-Chair.
Other Board Director appointments include:
· Lawrence Barton DL- the organiser of Birmingham Pride’s annual celebration and former Board Chair
· Luke Gallimore- Radisson Blu
· Yanbo (Rob) Yang– owner of multiple businesses in Southside District
· Kelly Tipper- The Dragon Inn
· Heather Hoskins- Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre and The Birmingham Conference & Events Centre
· Han Liu– owner of multiple businesses in Southside District
Each representative is bringing frontline insight from Birmingham’s visitor economy, hospitality and cultural sectors. Their experience reflects the breadth of organisations that contribute to the area’s vitality, from international brands to independent operators.
The Board is further enriched by the appointment of Dr Tom Goodman BEM, a local resident representative with strong experience in community leadership, governance and technology through his work as founder of Hack the Midlands CIC and organiser at TechMids. Li Keun Chin (Gene) also joins the Board, bringing her additional local insight and business experience.
Together, the new directors add valuable expertise, lived experience and strong connections across the District, supporting a balanced and inclusive approach to leadership and place‑shaping. The new members join the current Board team consisting of Co-Chair of the Board Dr Steve Ball, James Wong, Wei Du and Steve Cross.
The refresh is designed to ensure the Board reflects the changing needs, scale and ambition of Southside District, providing strong strategic oversight and ensuring the BID continues to deliver tangible value for levy‑paying businesses.
Dr Steve Ball, Co-Chair of Southside District Board said: “This Board refresh strengthens our governance and brings fresh perspectives at a critical time for Southside. The district continues to evolve rapidly, and it’s vital that our leadership reflects the breadth, complexity and opportunity within the area. I’m looking forward to working with our new directors over the coming term.”
Alongside the Board refresh, Angela Qi Huang has been appointed as Business Relationship Manager. She brings over 12 years of experience in business relationship management, marketing and PR across hospitality, leisure, theatre, retail and cultural sectors.
Angela has a long‑standing connection with the Southside District, having worked closely with local businesses for over a decade to support the area’s growth, visibility and identity. She played a key role in delivering major campaigns and events, including the Southside BID4 Ballot and Birmingham Chinese New Year celebrations, and is an active, well‑connected member of the local community. This includes involvement with the Birmingham Chinatown Lions Club and serving as a Board Member of the Chinese Community Centre Birmingham, with a strong track record of bringing together businesses, partners and communities to drive local growth and vibrancy.
Angela will play a key role in shaping Southside’s responsiveness to business needs as footfall, investment and development continue to grow. She said: “Southside is Birmingham’s most vibrant and fast‑moving District, with an incredible mix of businesses, cultures and communities. I’m really excited to be joining the team at this point in its journey. My focus will be on listening to businesses, building strong relationships, and making sure Southside District is responsive, visible and delivering real value on the ground.”
With a refreshed Board and a strengthened operational team, Southside District is well positioned to continue championing the area, supporting businesses, driving collaboration and helping Southside remain one of Birmingham’s most dynamic and distinctive districts.