Middlesex University students, reading subjects ranging from digital technology to interior architecture, have signed up to Hammerson’s Product Innovation competition, competing to design a new concept to enhance ‘the shopping centre of the future’.
Top entrants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to an expert panel of judges including: Mark Bourgeois, Hammerson’s Managing Director UK & Ireland; Sophie Ross, Group Head of Innovation at Hammerson; Tom Nathan, General Manager at Brent Cross Shopping Centre; and Charles Dennis, Professor of Consumer Behaviour at Middlesex University.
Those shortlisted to pitch will have to explain the rationale and scope of their concept, utilising skills and learnings from their respective academic fields and drawing on their own experiences as modern consumers.
The winner will secure a broad-ranging work placement, rotating around key departments in Hammerson’s London headquarters, including Development Marketing, Product Innovation and the Brent Cross Development team.
The successful candidate will also gain first-hand experience of the shopping centre operating environment, spending time with the Brent Cross Shopping Centre management team as the iconic destination embarks on a major redevelopment project to deliver London’s next generation of retail.
Two runners up will be treated to vouchers to spend at Brent Cross Shopping Centre, which is jointly owned with Standard Life Investments.
Hammerson is dedicated to creating retail destinations that deliver net positive impacts economically, socially and environmentally, as part of its Positive Places strategy. This collaboration with Middlesex University is part of a long term relationship with the institution, with existing initiatives including regular employability days and an annual enterprise competition.
Prof. Charles Dennis, Professor of Consumer Behaviour, Middlesex University, commented, “At Middlesex University we are constantly looking to find ways to ensure our students receive the very best experience of their field of study, and pride ourselves on offering a progressive learning environment.
'Partnering with Hammerson offers our students an invaluable opportunity to be inspired and motivated by sector experts, to think creatively and critically about consumer trends and emerging technologies, and how these relate to commercial retail destinations such as Hammerson’s shopping centres.”
Mark Bourgeois, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Hammerson, commented, “As we celebrate our 75th anniversary at Hammerson, it is an exciting time to consider what our shopping centres will offer to consumers in the coming years.
'As such, we are delighted to be partnering with Middlesex University and challenging the students to design and develop innovations that could meaningfully enhance the customer experience.
'We wish all entrants the best of luck and look forward to considering their submissions and – ultimately – working with the successful candidate to develop innovations that could inspire the retail destination of the future.”