Broad Street Plaza’s Centre Manager, Karen Mayman chats to us on International Women’s Day about her role, her achievements and what it’s like working at the plaza.
Monday 8th March 2021 is International Women’s Day, a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
One of the themes for this year’s International Women’s Day is to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Halifax is a town full of successful, strong independent women who continue to make a positive difference to the area and society, so we wanted to highlight a few in a series of Q&As. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be chatting to several influential women in Halifax to learn more about the community and the people in the town.
One of our employees, Karen Mayman, is someone worth highlighting. Karen, who joined Broad Street Plaza nearly two years ago is our Centre Manager and looks after our tenants and making sure the plaza is a great environment for customers too.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, we spoke to Karen to ask for her thoughts on working in the industry, what she enjoys most about her job and her biggest achievement.
Tell us about yourself and what you do.
Karen Mayman, Centre Manager of Broad Street Plaza. I live locally and have 2 children (ages 5 and 11). My interests include music and live entertainment, travel and fun days out with the kids! In my role as Centre Manager, I am responsible for the delivery of onsite management and care, ensuring that that the plaza is a desirable, safe and progressive environment for retailers to trade and for customers to shop and visit. This includes the setting and controlling of service charge budgets and variance/reconciliation reporting, and having the overall responsibility for the health and safety and environmental management of the site on behalf of the site owners.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Although the last 12 months have been challenging and the retail and leisure sector has been badly affected, I’m looking forward to working with the occupiers again, and for the plaza becoming busier with customers, who are enjoying catching up on lost time with their family and friends. I also really enjoy the accounting side of my role, as I’m a bit of a stickler for a good complex spreadsheet!
What would you say is your biggest achievement so far?
In my personal life, it has to be my two wonderful children. Homeschooling alongside working has been a challenge, but I’m so proud of how they have handled remote learning and their understanding of the world and what has been happening with COVID-19.
At work, it would be that I have been able to progress from an Assistant Building Manager, to a Centre Manager within just under two years. Although I have always worked in Property (secretarial and accounting roles), my first Facilities Management role was only three and a half years ago.
What’s been your biggest challenge to date?
Dealing with the pandemic and the ever-changing situation!
If you could give your younger self some advice, what would it be?
Act upon your instincts! If something needs changing, go for it! Be fearless, and achieve your goals.
Finally, what is your favourite thing about Halifax?
All it has to offer! From the beautiful countryside to the history and tourism. I’m actually from Leeds, but feel proud to now live and work in this wonderful part of West Yorkshire.
For more information on International Women’s Day, visit: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/
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