SouqExtra! appoints new CEO, eyes expansion

SouqExtra!, the UAE chain of community retail centres, said on Saturday it has appointed a new CEO to drive expansion plans in 2012. Justin Wilshaw, an Australian national, has joined the company which currently has five SouqExtra centres in the country. More than 100 tenants operate at the centres in Dubai, Al Ain and Fujairah and the company said it plans to open 10 more stores in the near future. Saleh Abdullah Lootah, managing director of SouqExtra! said: "With the aggressive development plans for the future that the company has set, there are new challenges to meet in coming few years We welcome Justin on board, a dynamic chief executive, who is ready to meet new challenges in to take SouqExtra to new heights." He said the emphasis would be on attracting more strong brands to the UAE centres alongside improved car parking facilities to drive a 30 percent increase in footfall. Wilshaw added: "I am excited to be joining SouqExtra!, a company that has a solid growth platform, is a well-established operator and is focused on community developments that integrate family, lifestyle and convenience all in one central location." Since 2007, Wilshaw worked with Emaar International as senior development dDirector before joining SouqExtra. He also worked with MAF Shopping Malls as a senior development manager, initiating the design of Mirdif City Center.