Andrew Sparrow, Placemaking Director in our Activate team, featured in Retail Destinations “10 Questions With…” series.
What was your first job in retail/placemaking?
I’m not sure ‘Placemaking’ was such a prominent word then but in my first ‘proper’ job in the Community Liaison team at Ballymore, that’s exactly what we were doing. I supported local communities across the country, where Ballymore was delivering developments, understanding the challenges, opportunities and aspirations of local people and exploring how we could support them and provide long term benefit for the whole community.
What’s the best thing about your current job?
The joy of Activate is that we’re a team of specialists dedicated to placemaking – we have organically built a team and continue to do. Supporting each person’s growth and development while delivering such a wide range of projects bespoke to each client’s needs makes my job very satisfying.
Which retailer do you most admire and why?
I tend to admire independent start-up retailers or those who have founded their own business. We are fortunate to have so many great examples across the country. They are usually built around solving a specific problem or gap in the market, rather than trying to be everything to everyone. Their ability to test, learn and adapt quickly to customer feedback in real time for me shows how dynamic and forward thinking they can be, coupled with a strong story or purpose behind the brand, which resonates more strongly with customers and builds trust.
What’s the best piece of business advice you have ever received?
You should always advocate for yourself, don’t expect others to do it for you.
What are you most likely to say?
“Let’s have a tea or coffee before we get started.”
What are you least likely to say?
“Shall I go first?”
What’s your pet hate?
When someone summarises what another has said inaccurately or in such a way that it devalues it.
What would be your luxury item if you were stranded on a desert island and why?
Access to music and podcasts; I find true escapism comes when absorbed in other people’s content.
Who would you want to play you in a movie, and why?
I’m not sure Hollywood would commission my life story, but perhaps in more of a small screen affair, I might be portrayed by Damian Lewis!
Describe yourself in three words.
I generally let others come to their own conclusions, hopefully they are kind ones!
This article first appeared in Retail Destination.
