A Tale of Two Towns: Oxford & Swindon
We are delighted to invite you to our first in-person Retail Reboot panel discussion and Q&A event which will look at the repurposing, reinvention and renaissance opportunities across the Thames Valley area.
Retail experts and sector leaders will be sharing their local experience and insight into retail’s current position, how retailers have successfully navigated the storm and opportunities for the future in Oxford and Swindon.
Repurposing - realising the opportunities to transform our high streets to create more vibrant, dynamic and sustainable communities.
Reinvention - depends on stakeholders being prepared to innovate and compromise; those retailers and brands that have successfully reinvented themselves.
Renaissance - everyone has a part to play and these collaborations across the retail ecosystem that rally support for our high streets will play a vital part in the retail reboot.
Speakers
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Vicky Hernandez, Retail & Real Estate Partner at RWK Goodman
Vicky specialises in retail property law and advises a number of clients including AllSaints and Ted Baker on all their real estate matters in the UK including lease renewals, acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant issues.
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Richard Venables, Director at VSL & Partners
Richard has considerable experience in office, industrial and retail agency work. He dedicates considerable time and energy to the economic and cultural development in Oxfordshire. He is a member of the Oxford Economic Growth Steering Group and Oxford Strategic Partnership and trustee of Active Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Youth, as well as the joint MD of retailers Shephard & Woodward and Walters giving him the unique position of being able to see the perspective from both the retailer and the commercial property agent.
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Chris Garner, Senior Advisor at Alvarez and Marsal
Chris is an experienced retailer with over twenty years senior management experience within buying, retail proposition, capital investment and site location. Chris specialises in predicting top line performance, evaluating the commerciality of large store network capital investment programmes, removing costs without losing turnover and increasing customer conversion across the UK, US, Continental Europe and Asia Pacific.
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Ian Larrard, Director at Business West in Swindon & Wiltshire
Ian ensures that the local business community has a voice when it comes to important matters affecting their growth and that of the area. He maintains close relationships with local MPs, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Councillors across the county. Ian is also Chair of inSwindon BID Company helping to promote and improve the Swindon Town Centre BID area for businesses, residents and visitors and additionally sits on the board of Switch on to Swindon focusing on the town’s place marketing.
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Iain Nicholson, Founder of PRBI
Iain is a town and city centres specialist who has worked initiatives focusing on helping tackle #highstreet empty shops challenges. Iain has also been involved in a number of vitality projects across the region including Wantage and Banbury town teams. His most recent role was as City Centre Manager with Oxford City Council.
Event details:
When: Monday 21 March | 4:30pm – 7.00pm
Where: The Magdalen Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, The Oxford Science Park, Oxford OX4 4GA
Hear from retail experts and sector leaders about their experience and insights into retail’s current position and discover opportunities for the future.