Cwmbran Shopping has strengthened its operations team with the appointment of a new centre manager.
Paul Rich, 41, brings over a decade of experience in the retail management sector to his new role.
He will be responsible for working closely with the town centre’s retailers tenants and leading a 60-strong centre team, reporting to the centre’s landlord, PRUPIM, and its agents, CBRE.
Cwmbran Shopping attracts 18 million visitors each year, and boasts 170 retail stores, residential flats and office accommodation.
Paul has been part of the senior management team for regional shopping centres including The Oracle, Reading, Brent Cross, London and Festival Place, Basingstoke and was involved in the opening of Drake Circus, Plymouth in 2006.
For the past five years, he was employed as a European Portfolio Manager for APN Property Group Limited, where he was responsible for managing seven shopping centres across Spain, Germany and Italy.
Whilst managing these centres, part of Paul’s role was to improve operational standards, enhance customer service levels, reduce health and safety incidents, improve tenant relations and enhance asset value.
Before entering the retail sector, he served with the Queens Guards in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Cyprus as well as performing traditional ceremonial duties.
Paul, who replaces newly-retired centre manager Gerry Hutchings, said:
“The position at Cwmbran Shopping appealed to me because it is an extremely successful centre with highly loyal customers. I am looking forward to working with the excellent team here to further develop Cwmbran Shopping.
“I will be working to ensure the best possible customer experience, and to maintain the high occupancy rate so customers can enjoy the widest selection of big brand, high street and independent shops.
“I’m also very keen to get the local community involved and find out what they want to see at Cwmbran Shopping. It’s an exciting opportunity at one of the UK’s most vibrant shopping centres.”
Simon Phipps, Director of Retail Asset Management at PRUPIM, said:
“We’re delighted that Paul is joining the Cwmbran team. He has a very impressive track record at shopping centres across Europe and brings a wealth of experience to the role.”