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
Retail & Commercial Leasing focus
Property & Asset Management expertise
Service charge budgeting and forecasting
Retail Marketing specialism inc Digital
Business Development & Leasing Strategy
Operational / Financial performance / KPI's
Development/opening/launch experience
Branding & Market Positioning
Business Administration
Business Development
Marketing
Strategic Planning
Financial Management
Workforce Management
Negotiation
Project Management
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