Biographies

Managing Director: Geoff Nicholson  

Geoff Nicholson has extensive retail experience in mail order – as Marketing Manager at Empire Stores - and in shops.  At Hornes, Geoff held a variety of senior posts before becoming Retail Managing Director.  An MBA (Wharton) he has worked in retail consultancy for over 20 years.

Geoff joined FSP in 1989 after time spent with the TMS Partnership, forerunner of Fashiontrak, where he dealt with many of the major clothing and footwear retailers.  He has led several major shopping and town centre projects, including Cambridge, Luton, Southside Wandsworth and Kings Cross. He has also spearheaded the development of Performance Improvement – a tool designed to assist shopping centre owners identify strengths and weaknesses and  thereby manage their assets more effectively.  Geoff became Managing Director of FSP in September 2002.

Contact: geoff@fspretail.co.uk

 

Director: John Fell

John Fell joined C&J Clark after graduating in Business Studies at Aston University.  His career has given him wide ranging experience in retailing and management having worked at Clarks, Lotus and Bally in the shoe industry, Courage in Brewing and Fios Textiles.  At Alexon Group he was UK Sales Director for Dash before spending three years as the Alexon Group Development Director.  He has extensive commercial experience in Europe and the Far East.

John was Managing Director of In-Wear UK Plc (1992-1994) before joining FSP in September 1994.  Today he is responsible for shopping centre and training projects and works on some of FSP’s most important implementation work. Recent projects include Staines, Basildon and East Kilbride.

Contact: john@fspretail.co.uk

 

Director: Jo Hewson

Jo Hewson joined Miss Selfridge as a graduate trainee in 1982, progressing to senior branch manager before moving to Alexon Group in 1985 as area manager and subsequently regional manager of Dash.  Her operational experience encompasses both High Street and concession retailing.  In 1990 she was instrumental in the launch of a new brand as UK Sales Manager for Genesis and oversaw the opening of 50 outlets within a six month period. In 1992 she became UK/Europe Sales and Operations Controller for the Windsmoor Group – a subsidiary of the Baird Clothing Group and in 1998 she was promoted to the position of Sales Director for Baird Outerwear Brands.

Jo joined FSP in February 2000 and was appointed a Director in November 2001.  She works as a front-line consultant  on projects across a wide range of merchandise including furniture, homewares, fashion and food; dealing with both retail and property clients.

Contact: jo@fspretail.co.uk

 

Senior Consultant: Ken Gunn

Ken began his career in 1988, in sales forecasting roles at Allied Carpets, Somerfield and the Boots Company.  At Boots Properties, Ken undertook long term forecasts of local rental growth and development feasibility studies in support of a £1bn portfolio.

Between 1996 and 2000, Ken held senior research posts at Gerald Eve and Fuller Peiser, where he developed international research projects while on secondment in New York.

In 2000, Ken joined CACI and established CACI Property Consulting.  Initially specialising in impact studies, Ken extended CACI’s capabilities and built a strong reputation for mixed use analysis, merchandise mix planning and leasing support.  Ken’s achievements encompass a wide variety of developments including Princesshay, Westfield London, Marshalls Yard, Silverburn and Gloucester Quays.

Ken joined FSP in April 2008 and provides specialist consultancy advice on issues such as market data, consumer lifestyles, tenant mix, local growth and alternative markets such as workers and tourists.

Contact: ken@fspretail.co.uk

Contact us on +44 01494 474740