Trafford Centre has appointed former Marks & Spencer head of region Simon Layton as its new centre director.
Layton will lead the centre’s on-site management team across multiple functions.
At M&S, Layton led a team of 20 store managers across the Greater Manchester area in multiple formats, having previously led the Northern Irish business and, earlier in his career, multiple large stores across the UK.
One of his main objectives will be to build strong relationships with each of the brands in the centre by “listening to guests and tenants to react quickly and drive growth”.
Layton called it his “dream job”. “I absolutely love Trafford Centre and have been visiting since it first opened nearly 25 years ago,” he said, adding: “I am really clear that I want to protect the magic of Trafford Centre in all that we do – it is what makes it special and different and should be embraced.”
Megan Keany, property management director at Savills, the managing agent at Trafford Centre, said: “The role of centre director is a hugely important appointment, requiring the right experience and understanding of retail alongside the ability to build diverse relationships and manage vast operational demands. Simon is an ideal fit, bringing a huge amount of relevant experience and a genuine passion for the centre.”
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