Tom Jenkins Mied

Economic Development Manager @Ashford Borough Council

Ashford, GB

Inward investment - I manage the AshfordFor campaign aiming to attract and retain businesses in the area. Business Support - I oversee the programmes and contracts to deliver business support such as ScaleUp Ashford, managing the SLA with the Chamber of Commerce and other support organisations.Broadband - I am the lead officer working with service providers and developers to ensure superfast fibre networks are installed across the area.Planning - I work with Planning on commercial or strategic applications to ensure employment space is maintained or built. Funding Bids - I am a project officer on the council\'s £14.7m Levelling Up Fund project (first round). I have also lead on securing the council\'s UKSPF and REPF funding of £2.3m, coordinating the projects, budgets, procurement and governance.Grants - I have created the policy and lead the administration of 5 grants programmes since 2023, focusing on business support, green infrastructure and community spaces as well as the Ashford Town Centre Business Grants aimed at filling empty shops in the town centre.Town Centre Management - I manage the Town Centre Team which includes coordinating the council\'s Town Centre Reset Strategy for Ashford town, programme managing particular projects, overseeing the Christmas Lights and the LoveAshford B2C campaign, managing engagement with high street businesses and other groups, supporting town centre events and liaising with community safety organisations or the Police on some matters.Tourism - I oversee the team\'s work on Tourism, particularly the SLA with the local DMO Visit Kent, the support and membership of the Ashford & Tenterden Tourism Association and the work to promote Kent as a key Line Region.Stakeholder and Business Engagement - I work closely with a number of other organisations and companies, senior managers and Councillors, MPs and Government officials, to ensure that the vision for Ashford borough is realised.

University of Exeter

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), 2:1 International Relations and Italian

Taunton School

International Baccalaureate, English, Italian, French, Maths Studies, Design & Technology, Philosophy

Liceo Classico Dante Alighieri, Latina (Italy)

Beni Culturali - Heritage Studies