Neil Mitchenall, the founding director of retail and leisure agency Lunson Mitchenall, has died aged 74 following a short battle with cancer.
Mitchenall founded LM with David Lunson in 1980 and was instrumental in shaping the retail sector in the UK over the course of his 50-year career.
After standing down as chairman in 2010, Mitchenall remained active in the market as a consultant to LM. He held a number of industry positions and accolades over the years, including president and chair roles at Revo, chair of the ICSC Awards Panel, chair of the ULI’s retail and leisure committee, president of BCSC, and chairman of the Association of Town Centre Management. He also became a non-exec of Evans of Leeds and Silverstone Holdings.
He was a pioneer in the shopping centre development and leasing market, advising on more than 40 major schemes and projects across the country totalling over 30m sq ft of space. Notable examples include Lakeside, The Bullring, Cribbs Causeway, White Rose, Cabot Circus and Braehead.
Mitchenall was at the forefront of innovative shopping centre design and leasing, including championing the introduction of turnover leases. He also advised on numerous major international projects in locations including Beirut, India, Abu Dhabi and Buenos Aires. He travelled extensively to see best-in-class developments across the world.
LM said it shared “its deepest sympathies with Neil’s family and friends”, adding: “His enthusiasm, passion and zest for life has energised LM for over four decades, and its company culture is testament to his collaborative spirit and genuine love for what he did.
“Throughout his career Neil showed great respect to everyone he met and worked with, he was generous with his time and will be missed all those who had the pleasure of dealing with him.”
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Image courtesy of Lunson Mitchenall
