London Designer Outlet has new general manager
London Designer Outlet has welcomed the appointment of Daniel Tomkinson, the former chief executive of the Covent Garden Market Authority, as its new general manager.
At CGMA, Tomkinson led the strategic direction of the company whilst driving through a £300 million redevelopment. He has also previously worked for ten years at Savills where he was centre director for the Eden Shopping Centre in High Wycombe.
In his new role, he will work as part of LDO asset manager Realm’s team and will be responsible for the management of London Designer Outlet and new retail at Wembley Park.
Tomkinson said: “Having looked after one iconic and historic London landmark, New Covent Garden Market, it is hugely exciting to be a part of the journey of another, Wembley Park, as it develops as one of the capital’s shopping, dining and living hotspots.
“Having welcomed a suite of new brands with more on the way and trading at an impressive level, London Designer Outlet is building on its credentials as the capital’s leading fashion and lifestyle outlet centre and one of the most successful in the UK, and I am looking forward to being a part of its next chapter.”
The appointment comes as London Designer Outlet sees its sales approach pre-pandemic levels after welcoming a raft of new retailers in the past two years. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the centre has added ten brands to its line-up including Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Lyle & Scott and Adidas.
Tomkinson will take up his new position this month. He will succeed Sue Shepherd who is leaving the business after eight years to set up an executive coaching business.
Created by award winning developer Quintain, London Designer Outlet has 265,000 square feet of retail and leisure space, including 70 outlet stores, restaurants and coffee shops and a nine-screen Cineworld.
Dan Mason, managing director of Realm, said: “Daniel will be an outstanding general manager for London Designer Outlet, as a strategic leader in retail and because he understands – and shares – Quintain’s vision for Wembley Park. Over the past eight years, from when London Designer Outlet first opened its doors in 2013, we have seen the centre continue to grow and develop, with 22 consecutive quarters of year-on-year growth before the pandemic, and an improved brand mix. One of Europe’s few urban outlet centres with a mix of retail, F&B, leisure and events uses, London Designer Outlet has and will always be at the forefront of trends in retail.”
Matt Slade, retail director at Quintain, added: “Daniel’s experience in iconic destinations as well as his passion for our vision of creating a 15-Minute Neighbourhood with brilliant retail amenities makes him the perfect fit for London Designer Outlet, where he will continue to work day-in and day-out with some of the world’s biggest brands and the innovative independents that feature in Wembley Park.”
