BCSC Names Its New Chief Executive
David Cooke to announce the council’s re-branding at its September conference.
There are exciting times ahead for the British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC). Edward Cooke, formerly director of policy and public affairs, has now been confirmed as the new chief executive. The other big news: the council will be renamed, rebranded and repositioned, with all details to be unveiled this September 14 during the BCSC 2016 conference in Manchester.
“The board are delighted to have appointed Edward as chief executive. He is a highly-respected and long-standing member of the team, has made a transformational contribution to BCSC and played a major role in forming our new strategy,” said council president Mark Bourgeois, executive director at Capital & Regional.
“He has the proven drive, ambition, passion and commitment to lead BCSC at this exciting stage in its evolution, with the organization set to be transformed through a renaming, rebranding and repositioning. Edward will provide strong leadership as we embark on a new chapter to position BCSC as dynamic, authoritative and inclusive, to reflect the increasingly diverse world of retail property and our ever-widening membership base.”
According to the council, Cooke has been the established face and voice of BCSC for some time, thanks to his direct engagement with national politicians, key industry leaders and national media, helping to influence and shape policy debates and decision-making. That role will now only grow.
“BCSC has changed significantly over the past three decades. However, we must evolve further and faster to enhance our leadership position,” Cooke noted.
“The change we’re witnessing in the industry is multifaceted and complex, spurred by increasingly analytical and demanding customers, and innovation that continues to push boundaries. Change presents positive challenges to us all. So, strengthening knowledge and business networks is crucial.”
Prior to joining BCSC, Cooke held positions with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) as a senior policy advisor and in government. He holds an MBA from City University London‘s Cass Business School and is a non–executive director of an FMCG business that sells to major supermarkets, restaurants, and bars.
Edward Cooke, BCSC