Jill Farnsworth
Jill Farnsworth is a place management professional, who has recently taken on the role of CEO of MyMiltonKeynes BID.
She has three children and when she gets any spare time, she enjoys going to the gym or watching endless videos on TikTok.
- Tell us a little bit about your business…
MyMiltonKeynes is a private, not-for-profit limited company, funded by nearly 350 businesses in Milton Keynes City Centre, via an annual BID levy. BID stands for ‘Business Improvement District’ – which is a specific geographical area in which businesses agree to invest in extra services and initiatives that support city vibrancy. We are one of over 330 BIDs operating in the UK, which collectively contribute over £150m into the economy each year.
- How did you get into the industry?
I was working at Watford Borough Council when they were looking to establish a BID in Watford town centre, and was seconded onto the town centre partnership. I was responsible for developing the Watford BID business plan: 2016-2021 and engaging with local businesses to secure agreement for a BID to be established, which happened in April 2016. I then worked at Watford BID until July 2023, when I left to join MyMiltonKeynes.
- What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in your industry?
Every ‘place’ has its own challenges, some are unique to that town or city, some are ubiquitous. Our industry seeks to resolve these challenges by bringing together local businesses and organisations to collectively finance and manage improvements. Take for example, the widely reported shoplifting epidemic. Unfortunately Milton Keynes isn’t immune to this crime trend, but my organisation is playing a pivotal role in ensuring intelligence is shared among businesses, perpetrators are deterred and incidents are reported to the police.
- How would you describe your leadership style?
You don’t have to be at the top of a company to be a leader, you just need to have the right ethos and be able to earn the respect of others by working hard, having integrity, being emotionally aware and generally being a good person. That’s how I’ve always operated, at all levels.
- How do you get the most out of the people who work for you?
I’m passionate about what I do and I like to think that passion is infectious and inspires others and drives them forward to be successful. If people enjoy what they do, and feel valued, they will be far more likely to give their best so I’m a firm believer in trying to understand what motivates individuals I work with and structuring jobs round them, rather than fitting people into rigid job roles.
- What are the most crucial elements to your business running smoothly and being successful?
We are funded by the local business community, so we will only be successful if we are delivering projects and services that matter to them. So for us it’s really important that we are visible, that we engage regularly with businesses, listen to their views and be responsive to their changing needs.
- How has the past 12 months been for you?
Amazing. Making the decision to leave Watford BID was hard as I loved my team, and I really valued the flexibility I had, should an issue crop up with my kids. But applying for the Milton Keynes job was the best thing I did and I’m still chuffed to bits that I got it – the transition has been seamless and I’m absolutely loving every minute of it. There is so much passion for Milton Keynes from the people that live and work here, and it’s infectious.
- What will the next 12 months look like for your business?
It’s an important year for MyMiltonKeyes as we strive to raise the profile of both our organisation and of Milton Keynes City Centre as a great destination. I’m currently working on a three-year business plan that will be shared with the local businesses in the next few months and can’t wait to start delivering some of the projects and services we know matter to them.
- What are the highlights of your career so far?
In my 20s I worked in the PR industry and can reflect back on some really fabulous times – winning awards, going on trips, attending events – working hard but playing hard too. In my 30s, I was balancing having a career with being a single mum so some days just showing up was an achievement! Now in my 40s and working in the BID industry, I’ve made some amazing friends with colleagues from BIDs around the country and discovered an industry I truly love working in and want to stay working in for the rest of my career – and that’s an amazing feeling to have.
- What’s the biggest business mistake that you’ve learnt from?
Earlier on in my career, I left a job I loved and went on to work in a rival company, that was much bigger and more established in the industry. It was the worst decision for me personally as I left a job where I was trusted to deliver and allowed to fly, to a job in which I was effectively put in a box and had my wings clipped. That company never took the time to see me and my potential as they were too rigid about reporting structures and micro-managing, but what I learned from the experience is the importance of taking the time to understanding individual members of staff and their motivations and capabilities – and never applying a one size fits all approach to management.
- What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
My late mother, Lorraine Dallas, is my role model. She was incredibly successful in her career, an amazing mum and someone that was liked and respected by everyone she met. Her advice to me – both in a personal and business context – was always to live in the present and make the most of today, rather than over-worrying about the future and the what-ifs.
