Nic Durston is Chief Executive of South Bank Employers’ Group (SBEG) and South Bank BID. 

 

Founded in 1991, SBEG is a not-for-profit membership organisation that works with the area’s leading cultural institutions, education providers, developers, landowners, businesses, statutory bodies and community organisations to create a better South Bank for all. In its 35-year history, SBEG has played a pivotal role in the revival of South Bank, helping transform the area from a place associated in the late 1980s with urban decline, limited inward investment and entrenched social problems into the internationally recognised destination it is today, welcoming 38 million annual visitors and generating approximately £5bn of economic value each year. 

 

Together with South Bank BID – a separate not-for-profit organisation established by SBEG in 2014 to deliver a range of services and programmes – SBEG champions South Bank through partnership, collaboration and the delivery of key services, projects and programmes. SBEG has led and pioneered several aspects of successful urban place management, including the establishment of South Bank London as one of London’s first destination brands and the development of the innovative revenue S106 agreement whereby 1% of the London’s Eye annual turnover is reinvested in the local area. SBEG also set up the South Bank and Waterloo Partnership to bring together partners and stakeholders around shared ambitions, and led the successful transformation of Jubilee Gardens, now one of London’s most visited parks. 

 

Nic’s career spans urban regeneration, culture, heritage, education, and the built and natural environment. He has held senior roles at the National Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Groundwork and the Westway Trust. He is currently Chair of British BIDs, and Deputy Chair and external governor of Morley College London. Having worked, lived and studied in London for 40 years, Nic combines deep knowledge of the city with a long-standing commitment to partnership-led regeneration, economic growth, culture and community engagement.