Lakeside Shopping Centre appoints Fenwick exec as new Centre Director

Lakeside Shopping Centre has appointed retail veteran Nancy Foster as its new Centre Director, as the destination embarks on a new phase of investment and transformation.

Foster, who joins at the end of October, brings over 15 years of senior leadership experience across major retail operations. Most recently, she served as Store Director at Fenwick Colchester, where she also oversaw Group Store Operations. Before joining Fenwick, Foster held senior roles at Debenhams, including Head of Store Operations and Transformation, where she led large-scale transformation programmes across 178 stores.

At Lakeside, Foster will play a key role in shaping the centre’s next phase of evolution, with strategic investment planned to enhance both the retail and leisure experience. The centre is focusing on reimagining guest experiences, expanding outdoor and event spaces and strengthening its appeal as a community destination.

Foster said: "I’m thrilled to be joining Lakeside at such a pivotal time for the business. The centre is continuing to evolve beyond traditional retail to become a place where people can connect, relax, and spend quality time.

"My focus will be on creating premium experiences and environments that customers love, combining retail, leisure, dining and engaging events to make every visit memorable."

Rob Jewell, Managing Director at Asset Management at Pradera Lateral, which manages the centre, added: "With our ambition to position Lakeside as the UK’s most dynamic retail and leisure destination, Nancy’s blend of strategic insight and people-centred leadership makes her the perfect fit to drive that vision forward."

Located in Thurrock, Essex, Lakeside is home to more than 250 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. This past year, the shopping centre announced NEXT had opened the doors to its brand-new flagship, marking one of the largest and most ambitious stores in its retail portfolio. This includes the first-ever FatFace concession within a NEXT store, as well as dedicated spaces for Bath & Body Works and Costa Coffee.

It also secured Laura Ashley's flagship store as the retailer returned to UK retail. Opened in September, it marked a return to UK retail for the home, fashion and lifestyle brand, which was founded in London in 1953, following its retail business – which accounted for 152 UK retail stores – falling into administration in 2020.