Candidate Spotlight: Alan Barker, Broughton Shopping Park Centre Manager

Foundation Recruitment caught up with Alan Barker, Broughton Shopping Park Centre Manager, Flintshire, North Wales.

Tell us about your previous career experience and how you came to be in the shopping centre industry.

I have spent most of my 20-year career in retail management at shop floor level, working for many companies including Nisa Today, Woolworths, Cadbury and Aldi.  Early in 2016, I chose to look for something a bit more challenging within the retail sector, and I applied for various job roles throughout the North West that interested me.  I came across one particular role which was advertised with Foundation Recruitment, however when one of their advisors, Alex Rowbottom, phoned me, the particular position I applied for had been filled.  However, based on my experience and potential, Alex told me about another position that had come up – Centre Manager for Broughton.  I guess the rest is history now that I have been working as the Centre Manager at Broughton since March 2016!  I can truly say I have found my ideal job and I owe a great deal of thanks to Alex and the team at Foundation Recruitment.

What are your interests outside of work? 

I live in Cheshire, I have two wonderful children, Paige and Alfie. I enjoy family time, travelling and getting to spend time with my friends. I have also recently taken up flying lessons!

What are your future plans for the shopping centre? 

Broughton Shopping Park is going from strength to strength attracting some big name tenants whilst currently undergoing a huge multi-million-pound redevelopment which will include; new store fronts, canopies, landscaping, car parks and furniture. Broughton is now attracting approximately 90,000 vehicles to the park each week (10.5m visitors per year) therefore the growth of the park will continue over the coming years to meet the demand of our customers in North Wales and the surrounding area.