Ben Stephenson is a place development consultant with a particular interest in inclusive economic development, food, culture, and community engagement. Alongside the consultancy he is a High Streets Task Force Expert and as a senior fellow, was on the development team at the lead delivery body the Institute of Place Management. He is Chief Executive of the Angel Islington Business Improvement District and has recently completed an MSc in Place Management and Leadership with a focus on the review of contested heritage in the public realm, sparked by the toppling of the Colston Statue in Bristol. This has led to the authorship of national guidance for public bodies conducting reviews and similar work for the Greater London Authority’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm.