MS Office
Julian Smith
General Manager/Director - Malls, Commercial Property, Retail Marketing, Leasing & Business Development
PO Box 17119 Manama
Summary
Over 25 years of continuous employment as a senior business leader and property management professional in shopping malls, outlet centres & retail businesses. Excelling in stakeholder management and the leadership of multi-cultural teams in a cross-functional capacity. A career history spanning 6 countries, specializing in the operational delivery, leasing & management of high-profile, $MM retail & mall development projects in an environment of change. I am target driven; results orientated; financially astute & internationally mobile.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
General/Mall Manager - Al A'Ali Mall
The Haji Hassan Group
01.2023 - Current
- Based in Bahrain, I am currently responsible for delivering the financial performance, leasing, tenant mix and asset management of the family-owned Al A'Ali Mall for the Haji Hassan Group.
- Architecturally unique, the Mall caters largely to visiting, luxury-seeking GCC customers
- Spread over 56,000 Sq M, the development comprises a >150 Store Mall, external F&B Boulevard, stand-alone retail park stores and a hotel
- I am responsible for the P&L, leasing strategy, property & asset management, marketing, tenant mix and the overall development of the scheme.
General Manager - Mall of Cyprus Plc & Mall of Engomi Plc
Atterbury Europe (Cyprus)
10.2019 - 10.2022
- A senior property portfolio management role, heading the operational P&L and leasing of the market-leading Mall of Cyprus along with overseeing the re-development and leasing of a sister Mall project in Nicosia - the Mall of Engomi.
- Mixed-use experience includes commercial offices, showrooms & leisure incl. IKEA - a portfolio of >100,000 Sq M in total area
- Wholly responsible for the lease negotiations, legal contract negotiation & strategy across the whole portfolio
- Increased the value of the business park by €2.2m during 2021 through leasing initiatives
- Won 3 Retail Excellence awards for Marketing
- Regularly reporting to the Cyprus Stock Exchange (CySec).
Project Lead & General Manager - Showgrounds Mall
Savills Plc / HWBC Ltd
06.2009 - 09.2019
- Delivery and operational implementation of a purpose-built shopping centre from design & build to leasing and opening as project lead and onwards as General Manager
- Continued to grow and succeed despite financial legacy issues attributable to the 2008 banking crisis
- Oversaw a period of receivership of the property
- Facilitated the transition between Savills & HWBC as managing agents and asset managers
- Nominated as Centre Manager of the Year (Ireland).
- Grew footfall and traffic throughout my tenure
- Opened, operated and ultimately sold on my own food & beverage business, a BBs Coffee & Muffins franchise
- Voluntary position: Finance Director of County Tipperary Chamber.
- Cultivated partnerships with external stakeholders to maximise business opportunities and extend network reach within the industry sector.
Managing Director
BBs Bakery Cafe
10.2009 - 10.2016
- Opened my own BBs Bakery Cafe outlet successfully selling the franchise back to the brand for a multiple EBITDA sum.
Retail Operations Director - Rathdowney Outlets
Anglian Water Group Plc
05.2001 - 04.2009
- Recruited as a Board member to lead the re-positioning, leasing, rebranding and retail development of the scheme, increasing the valuation by €9m.
- Established a family entertainment concept and added an anchor Supermarket at the development increase footfall significantly.
General Manager, Plug-ins Electronics
Al Futtaim Trading (Private) Ltd
01.1998 - 04.2001
- Developed & implemented the original Plug-Ins Electronics Store(s). Initial concept store was launched at Deira City Centre in December 1998.
General Manager
Ashrafs WLL.
01.1994 - 12.1998
- Managed a >$35m luxury retail & distribution business across 7 divisions, 5 retail department stores and 197 staff.
- Added c $1m in revenue designing and implement professional audio/video conference centres.
- Added c $1m in revenue securing a region-wide travel agent promotion with British Airways.
Marketing Manager
TDK UK LTD
07.1987 - 01.1994
- Senior Marketing Manager for Video & Data Storage Products.
- Increased market share from a launch brand to 10% during my tenure.
Education
High School Diploma -
Bournemouth School
United KingdomNFQ L5 Digital Marketing
Dublin, IrelandSkills
Websites
Software
SAGE Accounting
ERP Systems
Personal Details
UK Citizen
Irish Citizen
Full Driving Licence (Ireland)
Timeline
General/Mall Manager - Al A'Ali Mall
The Haji Hassan Group
01.2023 - Current
General Manager - Mall of Cyprus Plc & Mall of Engomi Plc
Atterbury Europe (Cyprus)
10.2019 - 10.2022
Managing Director
BBs Bakery Cafe
10.2009 - 10.2016
Project Lead & General Manager - Showgrounds Mall
Savills Plc / HWBC Ltd
06.2009 - 09.2019
Retail Operations Director - Rathdowney Outlets
Anglian Water Group Plc
05.2001 - 04.2009
General Manager, Plug-ins Electronics
Al Futtaim Trading (Private) Ltd
01.1998 - 04.2001
General Manager
Ashrafs WLL.
01.1994 - 12.1998
Marketing Manager
TDK UK LTD
07.1987 - 01.1994
High School Diploma -
Bournemouth School
NFQ L5 Digital Marketing