My Journey to Divisional Head…

Starting out with Foundation Recruitment, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. After my first couple of weeks of non-stop training with the Directors and real time experiences, it was time to get on the phones. It rapidly became apparent that recruitment, the specialist sectors and the culture of the business were exactly what I was looking for.

My journey began within the Shopping Centre Management and FM team where I instantly gained a passion for retail and commercial property and built a number of withstanding relationships with clients and candidates nationwide. After being presented the opportunity to successfully collaborate with the likes of Westfield, CBRE, JLL, Land Securities, intu Properties and other aspirational brands in the sector, it was clear I had a desire and determination to fulfil the needs of our clients in providing a tailored and expert service every time. Working closely with candidates has given me such a vast amount of exposure to a dynamic range of individuals including those within retail management, department stores, shopping centres, outlets, retail parks, leisure schemes, commercial buildings and mixed use estates. The commercial, expert and business-minded nature of the candidates we engage with ensures no conversation is the same, and no day is the same either!

The support and encouragement I have received over the last 3 ½ years has been second to none and I was presented the opportunity to manage my own team early last year following 2 progressive years with the business. Now, overseeing Shopping Centre Management, FM, Building Management, Marketing and Commercialisation, I am responsible for offering that same level of challenge and inspiration to not only my team, but Resourcers and Consultants in the wider business, operating both nationally and internationally.

Since joining Foundation Recruitment, I have always dreamed of developing business in new and relevant sectors to our already established specialisms. My diversifications at present include Business Improvement District Management and Airport Management where we have had a number of successes with businesses including PCCC, Cambridge BID, Leeds Bradford International and London Luton Airport.

With the “foundation” of our business and candidate network being dedicated to property, we are finding that airports nationwide are proactively engaging with us to establish partnerships so we can offer that tailored and expert service. It is safe to say, our Airport Management specialism is really taking off – pardon the pun!

I continue to enjoy working with the teams at Foundation Recruitment and support in bringing new faces to drive our diversifications both in the UK and internationally within Shopping “Center” Management.

It is safe to say I am thrilled to continue to be a part of it – here’s to the next 3 ½ years!

Alex Rowbottom, Divisional Head of Destination Retail, Airports, BIDs & Facilities Management, Foundation Recruitment