Collaboration is key to Aaron's role in Stratford

October 2024 marked the beginning of an exciting journey for Aaron Corsi when he left his longstanding role as Warwickshire County Council's Service Manager for Place, Projects and Partnerships to become manager of Stratford-upon-Avon's Business Improvement District. Here, Aaron reflects upon his exciting, new challenge and how collaboration is key to his new role just as it was to the old one. 

I am very thankful for the ten years that I spent at Warwickshire County Council and the honour that came with it of supporting the County in showcasing Warwickshire and embracing the collaborative community spirit approach, especially through the Warwickshire Towns Network. Now that I am on the 'other side' of the equation, I am very grateful for this positive, kind, place-based approach to supporting the local economy.  

This month I was thrilled to welcome Georgia O’Connell to our team at Stratford BID. Her innovative approach and dedication to Stratford-upon-Avon town align perfectly with our BID mission to support and promote local businesses. I am confident that Georgia will play a key role in advancing our projects and initiatives. 

In her new role, Georgia will oversee the planning and execution of various projects aimed at improving the town's business landscape. She will work closely with myself and local businesses, stakeholders, and community members to ensure that the BID's objectives are met and that Stratford continues to thrive as a vibrant business hub. 

Stratford-upon-Avon town is blessed as a lovely Warwickshire market town on the River Avon with rich history and heritage including the international accolade of being the birthplace and resting place of the playwright William Shakespeare. The great writer is a wonderful magnet for visitors to the town, but there is so much more to Stratford. The BID has the wonderful job in helping to create a collaborative and safe space for businesses to thrive and reap all the benefits of being based in such a great town.

Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, was always, and remains, hugely supportive of the work that goes into supporting the town centre economic hubs across the County. During my first three months with Stratford BID, Izzi and I have crossed paths in Stratford and in Warwick and at those meetings collaboration and support were key themes. In Warwick at Shire Hall I was lucky enough to meet town centre support professionals from across the County at the Towns Network where we had the opportunity to share best practice. One key item was how we all promote and support our key, independent, small businesses around Small Business Saturday, #buyeatlocal and the #WarwickshireChristmas campaign.  

Here in Stratford we touched base at a partners meeting and it was wonderful to hear how innovation, skills and the County can help businesses. Ultimately, collaboration and strength in numbers can only support the creative sector in the town.  

I am looking forward to working more closely with Warwickshire County Council and Stratford District Council teams in enabling as many of the BID businesses to gain access to Skills Support, Training, Innovation funding and further collaboration, whether through the Council teams or the partners it has commissioned to help, like Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub. Nina Bale from the Growth Hub will be working out of the BID Office for regular business support drop ins on the last Thursday of each month.  

January is the exciting time of year where the crucial process of annual event-planning occurs. In Stratford, the town and organisations are prepping ready for the Season of Love in February, the Birthday Celebrations in April, VE/VJ Celebrations, Pursuits Festival in May, Literary Festival in May, Festival of Motoring, Young Traders Market Competition Final, Food and Drink Festival in September, then back to Christmas and switching on the lights in November...with many more events and experiences in between!

Georgia and I promise to do all we can to bring continued prosperity and cultural enrichment to this historic town. I look forward to seeing as many of you enjoying the wonderful town of Stratford in 2025.  AARON