Speaker Profiles
Romiluyi ‘Romy Romes’ Benjamin Abiodun Founder - Vfour London
Romy founded Vfour London, a streetwear brand celebrating art and culture, in 2017. He is a passionate and driven entrepreneur, regularly running pop-up shops and activations, in tandem with growing the brand online.
Alex Schlagman Founding Partner - Save The High Street
Alex is CEO of PocketHighStreet and a founding partner of SaveTheHighStreet.org. SaveTheHighStreet.org is a coordinated industry-wide initiative supporting and empowering local businesses nationwide. The movement is powered by 1000s of shopkeepers, industry leaders and high street supporters. Alex is a serial entrepreneur focused on levelling the playing field for local retailers with technology. Alex previously founded a digital agency for small businesses and a local commerce marketplace for student communities.
Joe Barratt Founder - The Teenage Market
My work over the past four years has involved developing successful creative projects in town and city centres. I help create unique destinations which provide a vibrant and diverse offer, powered by the local community.
Ben Hammond Growth & Performance Manager - Toolbox Marketing
Ben has over 10 years marketing experience, with 6 years in the retail real estate space. Toolbox Marketing have been established for over 24 years, and are a leading agency that use strategic marketing and vibrant placemaking to shape tomorrow’s places.
Steve Norris Executive Director - National Head P, R + I - LSH
Steve has over 30 years’ experience providing planning, regeneration and commercial property consultancy advice on a wide variety of retail, town and shopping centre issues for regional planning bodies, local planning authorities, developers, investors and operators. His expertise ranges from the preparation of evidence-based town centre visions, action plans and regeneration strategies to securing funding and permissions for major mixed-use schemes. Contact Steve on 07733122420, or email at SNorris@LSH.co.uk
Darren Pearce Shopping Centre Director, Meadowhall
Darren Pearce was born and bred in Newcastle, went to University in Leeds before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with BDO Binder Hamlyn. He joined Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield in 1994 and is now in his 30th year at the Centre. In his time he has held roles as the Centre’s Finance Director, been President of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, along with overseeing Tech and Educational Trust start-up businesses, before taking on the Centre Directors role in 2008. He now sits on the National Centre Managers Committee and plays a key role in organising the RD Live Conference along with many other events.
Paul Clifford Director - Flourish
Founder and Director of Flourish, Paul has over 20 years retail and property management experience and has worked with some of the UK’s largest retailers, in addition to managing shopping centres. Flourish are a leading commercialisation provider, who intelligently fill spaces to create thriving, sustainable places.
Gareth Jordan Director - Retail Advantage, ART Software Group
Gareth Jordan is a Director at ART Software Group creators of Retail Advantage, an innovative solution at the forefront of assisting professionals with the most effective ways to analyse key performance data to drive performance and support Brand-Partners. Used widely throughout the UK and Europe, Gareth oversees the platform’s business development and excels at helping centre management teams create a connected community, streamline workflow and unlock potential in data to increase revenues and rental values. Backed by more than a decade of experience working closely with retail and leisure professionals, he remains focused on developing and enhancing data opportunities on leading schemes, implementing analysis environments for shopping centres, outlets, retail and mixed-use portfolios that deliver results.