Centre:mk appoints new centre manager
The Centre:mk retail and leisure destination in Milton Keynes has appointed Andy Jackson as its new centre manager.
Jackson has 20 years’ experience in the retail sector including six years as centre manager for The Gracechurch Centre in Sutton Coldfield. His previous positions also include area manager and project leader roles for brands such as Staples UK, Virgin Retail and Halfords.
In addition, he has operated as an independent retail consultant and is the co-founder, director and chairman of Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District Company. He also won a ROSPA Gold Award for The Gracechurch Centre in 2015.
Alongside centre director Kevin Duffy, Jackson will be part of a new team appointed in the past year including Stuart Wightman as retail relationship manager and Shaun Rhodes as head of marketing. Nicola Darby, previously fire safety officer, has recently been promoted to the position of deputy operations manager.
Duffy said: “We continue to strengthen our management team and Andy has experience in generating commercial success as well as connecting with local communities. He shares our passion for the industry and, given his knowledge of the retail sector, understands the needs of the leading retailers that Centre:mk attracts as the region’s dominant retail and leisure destination.”
Centre:mk, which is jointly owned by Hermes Investment Management and AustralianSuper and managed by CBRE, enjoyed a successful 2015 with the openings of new stores for Tiger, Jigsaw and Smiggle as well as a refurbished store for Clarks. New stores opening in 2016 have included an upsized shop for jewellery brand Pandora and a new store for Italian cosmetics brand Kiko Milano.
Jackson added: “I am thrilled to be joining Centre:mk, a key retail destination with a passionate and capable team, backed by the support of Hermes Investment Management and AustralianSuper. I look forward to working with them all to take the centre forward.”
