Debbie Akehurst
Chief Executive, Central District Alliance
Debbie Akehurst is the Chief Executive for Central District Alliance and Hatton Garden BIDs, working across the public, private and third sectors. Debbie’s experience of developing partnerships and bringing people and sectors together to deliver better outcomes is invaluable to the businesses and stakeholders of both BIDs. Creating social value and enhancing the communities she serves sits at the heart of Debbie’s approach and she specialises in working with businesses to help them develop strategies to support the communities in which they operate.
Debbie is passionate about apprenticeships and helping young people gain experience and improve their employability, so in 2022 CDA launched Your Future Talent. This innovative apprenticeship programme brings businesses and young people from the local community together, supporting them in employment, skills and training and ultimately addressing the youth unemployment issues in London. CDA is also a member of the London Mayor Academies.
What we do:
The Central District Alliance (CDA) is the Business Improvement District representing and looking after the areas of Holborn, St Giles, Bloomsbury, Farringdon and Clerkenwell.
We are the collective voice of over 400 businesses located in this economically and culturally thriving district, promoting it to visitors and businesses from all over the country and the world, while delivering on the priorities of our members and supporting the communities in which we operate.
Our businesses work in sectors as diverse as tech, education, legal and professional services, hospitality and leisure, and include organisations such as the British Museum, the Rosewood Hotel, Mischon de Reya, Google, LinkedIn, TikTok, City University, LSE and the Arts Council England.
Our priority is to ensure that our neighbourhood is clean and green, and safe and welcoming for all our members and visitors.