New centre manager for Rushden Lakes

The new centre manager for Rushden Lakes says her new job was something that she just couldn't turn down.

Donna French has been appointed as the new centre manager for Rushden Lakes, taking over from Paul Rich who held this role since the shopping complex opened in 2017.

Donna, who has a career spanning 33 years in retail, has held positions with such national brands as Asda, Cargo Homeshop, Laura Ashley, Sainsbury’s and M&S across the Midlands and the South East.

She has also had the opportunity to work across numerous retail platforms including the high street, out-of-town destinations as well as shopping centre exposure.

Over the past 15 months, she has worked in a freelance capacity, delivering projects in collaboration with local town councils, Business Improvement Districts (BID) and town centre partnerships across Northampton, employing her extensive knowledge of the retail landscape and how it can support the high street.

Donna said: “The centre manager opportunity came out of the blue and was something that I could not turn down.

"The job itself allows me to utilise my broad retail experience, the recent engagement I undertook with the local public sector arena across Northamptonshire, as well as applying my know-how in the operational running of an organisation like this.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have this incredible opportunity to work for such a dynamic and unique destination that is breaking the boundaries of traditional shopping and creating a more multi-layered visitor experience.

"My vision is to create collaborative working across the whole of Rushden Lakes, creating two-way consumer traffic that is delivering a thriving trade for all our businesses as well as the surrounding area.”