New West End Company has revealed that former special advisor to the Mayor of London Sir Peter Rogers will succeed Dame Judith Mayhew-Jones as its chair.

New West End chief executive Richard Dickinson also revealed the appointment of retail property consultant and ‘go-to’ agent for the West End David Kenningham. He will drive the retail strategy to develop a “compelling” shopping experience for East Oxford Street ready for the completion of the Crossrail project in 2018, when 20 million more shoppers are expected to be visiting the street.

Rogers was a former chief executive of Westminster City Council and the London Development agency. More recently he advised Boris Johnson on regeneration, growth and enterprise.

Johnson thanked Mayhew-Jones for her work at New West End Company, which represents retailers in London’s West End, and wished her the best for the future.

He added: “I’m delighted that Sir Peter Rogers, who has worked tirelessly for London for many years, has taken the helm.

“Under his stewardship I have no doubt that the West End will build on its reputation as one of London’s biggest draws for visitors to the capital and as a key driver of our economy.”

In addition last month deputy chairman of DAKS Simpson Group Paul Dimond CMG was hired as interim chairman of the Bond Street Development Group. Former managing director of Fortnum and Mason, Beverley Aspinall, has taken on the role of interim managing director.

They are tasked with focusing on improving the visitor welcome, public realm and global marketing in the area.

Kenningham said New West End Company had tasked him with “helping to create an identity for the east end of oxford street. I’m helping them [form] a vision of what the east Oxford Street area will look like post-Crossrail.

“Primark has been a roaring success but the area still needs a lot of focus if it is to fulfill its potential.”

Kenningham is known as one of the most prolific deal makers in the West End. He left property firm CBRE last year and set up his own consultancy Kenningham Retail.

  • West End shoppers will be treated to a shopping bonanza this evening after retailers signed up to give away £13,000 worth of gift vouchers. In the first initiative of its kind the New West End Company has signed up 21 retailers to take part in the event, including Topshop, Boots and Primark.Customers will be eligible for a gift card when they buy a product from the retailer and show a copy of the Evening Standard at the till. A New West End Company spokesman said the event will “reignite shoppers’ love affair with the West End”.                                                  

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