Zain Klyani - Centre Manager, The Arndale Centre, Accrington, Lancs
I thoroughly enjoy my job as Centre Manager, I am responsible for maximising the share of the retail business available within the Centre’s catchment area and I deliver key strategies in order to enhance the value of the asset. Read more...
I am proud to say that I have been at the Arndale Centre for 9 years. I have worked my way up through security to Security Manager, on to Operations as Ops Manager, then I was promoted to Centre Manager in 2008.
On a day to day basis I oversee the efficient management of the Centre, and I enjoy working closely with the Asset Manager and the client – we work very much as a team at EFM, both on a company wide level and also at a local level. I feel that the Directors and CEO are very accessible and take the time not only to keep me abreast of company strategy and direction, but also to keep abreast of what I am doing at the centre. It is not unusual to get a phone call or an email to congratulate you on a particularly good job, and I try to manage my team locally in that same way, a mix of positive feedback and engagement as well as giving the opportunity for individuals to shine and progress. I love the variety of the job – for instance two of my contrasting key roles are Compliance – to ensure compliance with statutory requirements including Health and Safety, and Customer Services – delivering an excellent experience not only to the customer but also to the tenant. At EFM Customer is definitely King! In 2005 I was awarded a Commendation by the Chief Superintendent of Lancashire police for dealing with a particularly difficult situation with a customer, and I also won the National Security Award for ‘Services to the Customer’. A particularly enjoyable part of the job includes being part of the partnership between private, public and voluntary sector interests, as a Centre manager I am privileged to be able to contribute in the creation of a more successful town centre for all of its users, promoting the Town Centre as a retail, commercial and entertainment centre.
The best thing about EFM – the team! I would sum up EFM as informative, responsible and co-operative. Read less
Pippa Rangecroft, Asset Manager, based in the London Office
I have been with EFM since 2005 and my core function is to advise on a Shopping Centre Portfolio. This is a job I am really passionate about, and prior to joining EFM Read more...
after graduating in Valuation and Estate Management I gained over 20 years experience, both in London/South East as well as in Bristol/West Country, at Threadneedle, Sun Alliance and Donaldsons (now DTZ).
On a day to day basis I deal with lettings, rent reviews, lease re-gears, refurbishments, as well as liaising with tenants and clients. In these difficult times a proportion of my time is well spent in business to business discussions with tenants and clients, helping to navigate them through difficult trading conditions and to face major structural changes in the nature of retail. We live in a changing world and part of our job is to be ahead of the game and to be on hand to offer help and support to maximise the assets with a mix of careful management and innovation.
One of the things I love about my job is the quality of staff around me. I am supported by a great team encompassing property management, administration, finance, credit control – every facet. And I love my clients! EFM encourages an atmosphere that listens to entrepreneurial ideas and acts on them, whilst providing a strong structural framework of support systems. I would recommend anyone that enjoys genuine autonomy and interesting work to join us, I enjoy a great variety of work at EFM, independence and an exciting pace that is harder to find in the larger, less flexible property company.
The best thing about EFM – the clients! I would sum up EFM as challenging, professional and innovative. Read less
Lee Thompson, Company Accountant, based in the Hereford Office
As a Company Accountant responsible for a portfolio of 7 companies I enjoy dealing with internal and external clients. My role provides a breadth and depth of input, in the preparation of the full range of accounting Read more...
detail on a day to day basis, as well as annual budgets for the board, variance analysis and ad hoc reporting.
As a Business Management, Economy and Society Graduate, prior to joining EFM I had 6 years experience with a leading retailer, working both in accounts/financial analysis as well as with senior management on due diligence. I am currently part way through my ACCA exams, and EFM is helping to fund and facilitate my progression.
On a day to day basis, I enjoy the autonomy of my role. I am responsible for both financial and management accounting, but also am able to contribute in a wider sense – for instance, I monitor expenditure control and make recommendations to teams and individuals responsible for budgets. There is an enormous amount of respect for colleagues, we are one big team of intelligent, hardworking, pro-active individuals, and that cuts across disciplines and group companies. If anyone on the team has a good idea, we all listen and if it works, then we use it. I really enjoy the flexibility that EFM offers, we are all encouraged to be innovative, the senior management are open-minded and approachable and ideas are embraced and utilised. EFM is part of an International Group and I have enjoyed some exposure to European accounting – I really enjoy the challenges and opportunities afforded to me at EFM, and would recommend EFM to anyone who enjoys being part of a team and having their contribution valued.
The best thing about EFM – a constantly challenging role – both technically and professionally. I would sum up EFM as team, energy and focused. Read less
Helena Smith, Commercial Manager, based in Hereford with Nationwide responsibility
Mall Promotions and Events in Shopping Centres throughout the UK is my speciality. I head up a small team and we are making impressive headway in this area of non–core income. Read more...
I am in my 5th year at EFM and joined them from a major high street retailer. I have progressed though a number of different business areas which has been an excellent grounding for the management of this business unit which I took over18 months ago.
Every day is different in my job, I oversee the day to day running of promotions and events, and work closely with my team to implement new initiatives and ideas, gaining new business and visiting clients.
I really enjoy the fact that I am given the freedom to come up with new ideas and run with them. It is very liberating to be given the opportunity to see a project through from the initial idea to the final promotion – it is very rewarding to think outside of the box, come up with a new niche idea for a specific Centre or sector and see that process through from idea to strategy to result. There is a really positive atmosphere here at EFM, ideas are encouraged and nurtured, and there is a supportive team and a pursuit of excellence that drives everyone on to do better and better.
The best thing about EFM – the encouragement that individuals are given to grow within the company, assistance to reach goals and the support given on the way! I would sum up EFM as supportive, positive and motivational. Read less
