London Designer Outlet appoints new General Manager

London Designer Outlet (LDO) in Wembley Park has confirmed the appointment of Daniel Tomkinson, the former Chief Executive of the Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA), as its new General Manager.

At his previous role at CGMA, Tomkinson led the strategic direction of the iconic London horticultural market, driving through a £300 million redevelopment. The industry veteran also has almost a decade’s worth of experience at Savills, where he was Centre Director for the Eden Shopping Centre in High Wycombe.

Part of specialist outlet operator and London Designer Outlet’s asset manager Realm’s team, Tomkinson will be responsible for the management of London Designer Outlet and of new retail at Wembley Park, the 85-acre neighbourhood created by developer Quintain.

His appointment comes as London Designer Outlet, the capital’s leading fashion and lifestyle outlet centre, sees sales approach pre-pandemic levels, having taken on a raft of new brands over the course of the past two years, elevating its premium fashion offer.

In the 18 months since the start of the pandemic, 10 brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Lyle and Scott, and Adidas signed leases covering some 61,000 sq ft in London Designer Outlet, reflecting the attractiveness of the centre.

Daniel Tomkinson, General Manager for London Designer Outlet, said: “Having looked after one iconic and historic London landmark, New Covent Garden Market, it is hugely exciting to be a part of the journey of another, Wembley Park, as it develops as one of the capital’s shopping, dining and living hotspots. Having welcomed a suite of new brands with more on the way and trading at an impressive level, London Designer Outlet is building on its credentials as the capital’s leading fashion and lifestyle outlet centre and one of the most successful in the UK, and I am looking forward to being a part of its next chapter.”

London Designer Outlet has some 265,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space, including 70 outlet stores, restaurants and coffee shops, and a nine-screen Cineworld.

Matt Slade, Retail Director at Quintain, added: “Daniel’s experience in iconic destinations as well as his passion for our vision of creating a 15-Minute Neighbourhood with brilliant retail amenities makes him the perfect fit for London Designer Outlet, where he will continue to work day-in and day-out with some of the world’s biggest brands and the innovative independents that feature in Wembley Park.”