Sue Grindrod
Sue Grindrod
Commercial property expert
Type of expert: Commercial property expert
Areas of expertise: Business women, C-Suite level, CEO, Expert Women, Property, TourismCommercial property expert, Former Chief Executive of Liverpool Albert Dock
Dynamic, forward-thinking, straight talking and a born leader are just some of the key qualities often quoted by those who have met or worked with Sue Grindrod, former Chief Executive of Royal Albert Dock Liverpool (left in April 2019).
Sue has worked in a male dominated industry for many years. Former roles include Head of Visitor Experience and Operations for Tate Liverpool and Director of Gower Street Estates, the property management company for Royal Albert Dock Liverpool. Situated on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Albert Dock is steeped in history and its canals and waterways have played a huge role in Liverpool’s heritage. The Liverpool Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool are situated on Albert Dock, operating in harmony with commercial bars, restaurants, independent retail outlets and private apartment owners.
Sue is passionate about embracing and celebrating the renaissance of the Dock that was initially spearheaded by Michael Heseltine back in the 1980’s. When Sue Grindrod was first appointed as Chief Executive of Albert Dock in 2016 by Gower Street Estates, one of her key priorities was to commission the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy and Practice to provide her with a warts and all report on the current positioning, perceptions and issues relating to the Dock. She knew it needed a new focus to secure a viable and vibrant future for the attraction.
Whilst much of that report made for uncomfortable reading, it came as no surprise to her. It endorsed and supported a strategy that Sue and the team have already begun to deliver and it is beginning to show dividends. This involves a five year plan that will take Royal Albert Dock Liverpool through to 2021, a landmark year when it celebrates in 175th anniversary, having been opened by Prince Albert back in 1846.
Whilst the Dock is already the Northwest’s most visited free attraction, a new events strategy has been created and implemented, bringing an additional 250,000 visitors to the attraction annually, taking the total visitor numbers to 6.2m in 2017.
The pinnacle of Sue’s career came in 2018 when she achieved ‘Royal’ status for Albert Dock. It was a goal that she had pursued since her initial appointment and a legacy that will have a lifelong effect on the city region and the value of the properties around the Dock.
Sue Grindrod has proved herself to be a driving force not only for Royal Albert Dock, but for the city of Liverpool and the Merseyside region. She is inspiring and encouraging women to succeed, giving talks to business networks and advice to young entrepreneurs.
Her voluntary roles include director and chair of the Liverpool Waterfront Business Partnership, which she helped to set up, realising the need for businesses along the water’s edge to work together to help attract investment and to manage its future. Sue continues to represent the wider interests of these businesses in order to help fulfil its potential to become one of the leading waterfronts of the world. Sue was pivotal in the successful Liverpool International Waterfront Forum at the ACC (conference centre) – held in 2014, 2015 and 2016 – a global platform for waterfront cities to come together to build stronger international alliances.
Sue is a member of the following professional groups –
Director and Chair of the Liverpool Waterfront Business Partnership (CIC)
A Board Member of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
A Board Member of Open Eye, that establishes policies for an independent not-for-profit photography gallery based in Liverpool
Member of Liverpool World Heritage Site Steering Group
Deputy Chair of Liverpool Visitor Economy Network
Director of Heart of Glass an agency for collaborative and social arts practice based in St Helens
Key to Sue’s success is her clarity of thought, working effectively with a number of partners in the city and bringing on board disparate parties into a single shared vision. Her drive and ambition is not just for Royal Albert Dock but for the entire Liverpool City region. Sue is passionate about the positive social impact that local businesses and heritage tourism can generate. The 175 strategy leading up to 2021, will secure her place as one the leading business minds that created a legacy for Liverpool’s waterfront that will live on long after her ‘reign’ over Royal Albert Dock.
Keywords: In addition to the above Sue can comment on:
Heritage tourism waterfronts waterfront development place-making regeneration women in business change management creative thinking in business mentoring mentor leadership women leaders leisure heritage led regeneration property commercial property Royal Albert Dock Albert Dock Liverpool man\’s world male dominated world heritage sites UNESCO property management events renaissance female entrepreneurs entrepreneur social impact vision Liverpool city region business partnership female chief executives inspiring business leaders leisure attractions leisure attraction waterfront forum international collaborations docks dockland
Female commercial property expert woman and TV expert on property.
CONTACT
