Queensberry Strategic Property Management has announced the appointment of its first team member after being set up by Iain Guest in December 2014.

Simon Pullen, operations director will have responsibility for overseeing the opening and ongoing management of Friars Walk retail and leisure development in Newport.

Simon will also have additional responsibility for advice and delivery of best practice management operations and systems for Queensberry and its clients.

For the past six years Simon was the general centre manager at SouthGate Bath, which was also built by Queensberry Real Estate, the firm behind Friars Walk.

Simon Pullen said: "I’m really looking forward to working with Queensberry on this very exciting project. I know Newport well having worked in the city previously. Friars Walk will make a massive difference to Newport and it will be great to see people returning to the city centre to shop and dine."

Iain Guest, managing director of QSPM, said: "I’ve worked with Simon on previous shopping centres including Wrexham and SouthGate Bath. He is a very experienced centre manager and comes with first class credentials. He will be a great asset to QSPM and Friars Walk.

"Simon will also work alongside me on all other Queensberry Real Estate projects and client instructions where needed including Kingsway in Newport and Tunsgate in Guildford. I look forward to working with him again."

Queensberry Strategic Property Management operates alongside its parent company Queensberry Real Estate. It offers a wide range of management services including shopping centre set up, strategic management and centre management consultancy.

Construction of the 390,000 sq ft Friars Walk retail and leisure scheme in the heart of Newport City Centre is well advanced, is 65 per cent let and opens in November this year.