In the dynamic realm of retail property, women are increasingly making their mark, reshaping landscapes and redefining industry standards. In this special SCN feature, we invited nine trailblazing women who are at the forefront of the property industry. From leasing to funds management, customer and asset management, these leaders exemplify resilience, creativity and expertise in their respective domains. Their journeys and experiences not only inspire but also challenge traditional narratives, paving the way for future generations…
Alison Flemming is the General Manager for Mirvac Retail, leading the strategic direction and operational delivery of the Mirvac Retail Portfolio. Alison draws on more than 15 years of experience in retail property management to bring together the collective capability across leasing, retail design, tenancy delivery, lease administration and all of the centre management functions.
Tell us about your career path and how you got started in retail property?
I fell into property accidently when a former colleague called me about a role he was recruiting for at Westfield. At the time, I’d spent more than ten years in commercial roles in the mining and manufacturing sector, after an initial period in professional services with PwC. His sale pitch was that “retail is sexier than steel” and in 2008 I joined as Commercial Finance Manager. From there I was fortunate to have the opportunity to move into operational roles and more senior leadership positions. During almost 14 years, I have worked in a variety of positions and locations and had so many opportunities that really challenged me. I’m now General Manager, Retail with Mirvac and enjoy using my commercial background and leadership skills to oversee the retail portfolio and create value at both asset and enterprise levels. I love the dynamic nature of retailers and truly get a kick out of the role we can play in creating great places for customers that lead to successful business results for retailers.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The decision to change roles or leave an organisation have been some of the most challenging times for me. When you are in a role or working for a company that you love and you’re comfortable and you are performing well, it can seem too hard to take a risk to try something new or different. I was once told ‘the victim of good, is great’ and I remind myself of this whenever I get too comfortable and everything seems ‘good’. There are numerous examples of things I would’ve missed out on if I played it safe and settled for ‘good’, instead of trying something new and seeing if it can be ‘great’.
What are your proudest achievements?
I’ve worked on some amazing redevelopments during my career, including the opportunity to work at Westfield Stratford during the London Olympics, but my proudest achievements relate to my teams. My best days at work are when I’ve been able to promote someone or help them realise potential that they couldn’t see themselves. Those are the moments that really stand out to me.
Kawana Shoppingworld, QLD
Who is someone who has inspired you?
It’s very cliché, but my grandmother was a very inspirational role model for me. My grandparents migrated to Australia after WW2 and built a new life they were very proud of. She always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and that it wasn’t important to be the best, but I should always try and be my best.
Best piece of advice you received?
My two favourite quotes or pieces of advice are: ‘Leave people, places, and things better than you found them’ and ‘comparison is the thief of all joy’ – both are good philosophies to live by!
What makes a great leader?
I have been really fortunate to have had some amazing opportunities, but I also know I’ve worked hard and made the most of every opportunity. I’ve always been focused on self improvement and learning from my mistakes. For me, a good leader is someone with a clear vision and the ability to communicate to others in an inspirational way. A great leader can transfer their knowledge and skills to others to create a legacy for future success.
How do you manage self-doubt and what motivates you to keep going?
I’ve always tried to manage self-doubt by asking myself ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’ I’m a passionate learner, so I focus on what I’m learning and how I’m developing, and then there is less time and room in my mind for the imposter syndrome to take over. I’ve learnt that when you know better, you can do better, so it’s the opportunity for growth and improvement that keeps me going.
I’m constantly curious, so my motivation to keep going mostly comes from continuously asking, What if? What next?
What advice would you give your younger self?
I think every generation faces their own unique challenges, but the advice I would give my younger self would be to enjoy the ride! For a long time, I was so focused on where I wanted to get to, that I was missing out on enjoying the moment. Age and experience has definitely helped give me more perspective and an appreciation for the journey as well as the destination.
Birkenhead Point, NSW
Why is it important to encourage females into leadership roles and how do you expect the workplace to change over the next five years?
Diversity in leadership brings a host of benefits, from creating an environment where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging and confidence so they can bring their full selves to work, to performance-based benefits – and studies continually show the link between performance improvements and gender equality.
Women make up ~50% of the population and it’s important their views and interests, as well as those of other minority groups, are represented in leadership decisions that reflect the diversity of society.
It’s also important that we continue to show and demonstrate gender diversity and inclusion within the retail industry. We are always looking for ways to improve and where we can introduce new industry-leading initiatives to achieve gender diversity. Our work in this space is ongoing and we are committed to continuing to lead the way.
What excites you about the future of our industry?
The pace of change and the innovation that we are seeing from our retailers is really exciting. Digital capability has transformed the way our industry can communicate and engage with customers. It’s fascinating to watch the evolution of retailers as they adjust and adapt to customer needs and offer personalised experiences. We see our role as curating the right retail mix for an exciting customer experience and sharing new talent that has a great story to share with our audiences.
What would you like to achieve next?
I’m always trying to learn something new and two topics I’m exploring at the moment are digital capability/AI and ESG. From a digital perspective, I’ve traditionally relied on having that expertise in my team, but the landscape is changing so rapidly, it’s vitally important to keep up and understand how important AI is to our business and the possibilities it creates for our customers. Similarly, the expectations from consumers and investors around ESG continues to increase. Our shopping centres play a major role in their local communities, and we believe it is our responsibility to demonstrate leadership in sustainability and to drive positive change. We continue to focus on the important work of reducing carbon emissions, waste and having a positive impact on the planet.
This exclusive SCN feature is shared with the industry with thanks to Redpath Partners
Premium members can view the full feature in the latest edition of SCN magazine
