Reimagining Retail & Regeneration: The Future of the High Street

Meet your Bradford Chamber President, Rebecca Fitzgerald, and find out what initiatives are happening in your Chamber.

This is also an excellent opportunity to enjoy networking over a drink & a two-course lunch.

After lunch we will hear guest speaker, Ian Ward, General Manager of Broadway.

We kindly ask guests to attend in business smart dress for this event.

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Bradford Chamber President: Rebecca Fitzgerald

Guest Speaker: Ian Ward, Broadway

Ian Ward is an outstanding leader with more than 35 years of experience in retail, shopping centre management, and high street regeneration projects, whose impact has transformed The Broadway into a benchmark for innovation, resilience, and community-led placemaking. Ian has successfully repositioned The Broadway from a traditional shopping centre into a thriving shop, eat, play and leisure destination, increasing dwell time, customer spend and visit frequency. Their “Be Broadway - The Answer is YES” culture has unified teams, elevated service standards and significantly improved tenant and customer satisfaction, supported by the introduction of the “My Broadway” app to strengthen real-time occupier engagement.

Even in challenging conditions, Ian has delivered exceptional commercial results. During the £30 million Transforming Cities regeneration works, while city centre footfall declined by 12.7%, The Broadway achieved a +2.3% uplift, demonstrating their ability to protect and grow performance despite external disruption. Strategic leasing, experiential events and operational excellence have also supported new lettings and stronger tenant relationships.

As Chair of the Bradford Business Improvement District, Ian secured successful ballots in 2019 and 2024, unlocking £2.5m investment to drive city centre recovery and growth. played a key role in supporting UK City of Culture 2025 and led on key place marketing initiatives such as “Sparkling Bradford” and launching the city’s flagship Retail, Leisure & Hospitality Awards taking place with 400 guests in the shopping centre.

Ian’s commitment to ESG and community impact is evident through the delivery of an award-winning Sensory Room, enhanced accessibility via Shopmobility, and initiatives supporting safety, sustainability and the night-time economy.

Respected by tenants, stakeholders and the wider community, Ian Ward is not just managing a destination; he is at the forefront of regeneration and future success of the city. This was recognised when Ian received an Outstanding Contribution award in 2025 for services to Bradford, regeneration, and the wider community.

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Host or Publisher West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce