Meet the BID team
Orpington 1st employs one member of staff and has a board of BID Directors who give their time on a voluntary basis.
Chris Travers – Executive Director
Along with responsibility for day to day operations, Chris plays a critical role in building relationships with key stakeholders. Following an introduction to the BID industry in a management role for an events company, Chris became Assistant BID Manager at Bexleyheath BID in 2013 before joining Orpington 1st the following year.
He completed the Certificate in BID Management in 2016 and became one of the first seven BID practitioners across the country to gain British BIDs' Diploma in BID Leadership in 2020. Chris successfully steered Orpington 1st to its third term in 2022. He has lived in Orpington since 2010 and is passionate about the town realising its full potential.
Contact Chris on 01689 829 527 or email chris.travers@orpington1st.co.uk
Martin Price – BID Director
Martin has been the Centre Manager at the Walnuts Shopping Centre for fourteen years and has been BID chairman since 2013. Previously Centre Manager at Ashford (Park Mall) and Bexleyheath (Broadway Square). Prior to that, Martin served fifteen years in the armed forces.
A keen golfer, Martin also enjoys getting out and about in his new touring caravan, a little cooking, and the odd book when time permits.
Bill Perera – BID Director
Bill has worked for McDonalds for 40 years holding many senior positions including Franchisee Consultant and Head of Operations, opening restaurants in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. Bill is the owner/franchisee of 9 McDonald’s restaurants across Bexley, Bromley and Sevenoaks, gaining Orpington in 2006.
He is proud to support all his local communities and is committed to contributing to each through a variety of economic, social and environmental initiatives. Originally from Sri Lanka, he still visits the country frequently and is a passionate supporter of the local orphanage.
Bill is married with 3 children, and is a keen cricketer.
Fiona Russell – BID Director
With a strong personal care background, having worked her way up from apprentice to regional / general manager with various corporate companies, Fiona decided to start her own business.
Founder of McQueen Hair & Beauty salons, trading since 2009, her entrepreneurial approach to business life has developed opportunities for growth, profit and sustainability.
Fiona is married, a proud mum, and an Orpington resident of 17 years.
Gary Valentine-Fuller - BID Director
Gary has cared for bereaved families since the age of just fifteen. In 2015 he became co-founder and co-owner of Orpington High Street Funeral Home ‘Valentine & Turner’. Gary has served in the Royal Military Police/Military Provost Staff Reserve and is the active Honourable Secretary of The Royal British Legion, Orpington and District Branch.
Gary is the Founder of Registered Cancer Charity The MumMum Foundation, Co Director of PIB Network group, Co Founder of The Bereavement Cafe and a local School Governor.
Gary is a proud Orpington resident, married with two children.
Sia Bodbin – BID Director
Sia first started working in Orpington in August 1984 as a trainee negotiator. Since then Sia has worked for many corporate firms and also established two independent firms of estate agents.
In 2011, in partnership with his wife Sue, Sia has established Kenton Estate Agents in Orpington High Street and had recently expanded with a second office at Windsor Drive, Chelsfield.
Sia and Sue have two daughters and have lived in the area their entire adult lives.