I have been informed of the retirement of Eric Williams at the end of March. I am therefore taking this opportunity of thanking Eric through his own creation, Shopping Centre magazine, for his personal friendship to me but more importantly for his support of centre management within the shopping centre industry.
I first met Eric at the Oxford Conference in I think 1988 when he discussed with me his ideas for creating a magazine dedicated to the shopping centre industry. At the next conference he launched what has now become essential reaching for all of us: Shopping Centre magazine.
During the last 16 years, mainly under his leadership, the magazine has developed and expanded its readership and has provided us with editorials that are always topical and thought provoking. I personally always turn to his column "Listen 'ere" to see what subject has occupied his mind this month.
Eric has always had the ability to grasp the important topics and apply his experience and common sense approach to them which leaves the reader in complete agreement with his article.
However, that avuncular figure also hides a man with a fierce determination to express his views, and when needed can display his opposition to an idea in the most forceful way. This has been achieved, however, whilst maintaining good relations with all concerned.
Throughout the period of time that I have known Eric the biggest debt of thanks that I have to pay him is to the fact that he has always championed the role of shopping centre management. In the 80s and early 90s Eric was one of the few who realized the importance of those engaged in the management of the centres. There is no doubt that the importance of good centre managers and management is now readily accepted throughout the industry. Eric has played a very big part in bringing this about.
I have often asked him for articles for Centre News, the newsletter of the BCSC Association of Shopping Centre Managers. They have always been supplied without my having to make a second request.
Guest appearances and speeches at conference debates and meetings have been delivered in that now familiar roguish style with a twinkle in the eye but a point made with a deadly arrow landing right on target.
After April we will no longer be able to read "Listen 'ere" or hear that familiar voice as we all duck to avoid one of his arrows. Eric's retirement will leave us all the poorer but the friendships will remain along with our thanks for a job well done.
Thank you, Eric. It has been a pleasure.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, JP DIP SCM
Chairman, BCSC Association of Shopping Centre Managers
