George Priestley OBE FCIM

George Priestley has been elected as the Chairman of Bangor and Holywood Town Centres Ltd, replacing Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, who held the position for the past six years. 

Mr Priestley was until recently Chairman of the Northern Ireland Coal Advisory Service.  His professional career began as an account executive with Nestle prior to setting up his own marketing company in 1971, which was eventually bought over in 1987.  Mr Priestley has also been Managing Director and Chairman of Robert Roberts with the special role of developing new business including acquisitions.  He was also appointed as Managing Director of Tyrone Crystal at a time when the company had incurred two years of major losses.  Within a year, the restructured and stabilised company was turned into a profitable business.

Mr Priestley is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and was the first member of the Institute from Ireland to be elected National Chairman.  Other positions held have included Board Member of Laganside Corporation, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Industrial Development Board, Chairman of Craftworks and Industry Matters and Trust Member of Crimestoppers NI.  Mr Priestley was appointed President of the Grand Opera House in 1993 and in the same year was appointed Visiting Professor at the University of Ulster.

Town Centre Manager, Stephen Dunlop, welcomed Mr Priestley’s appointment. “We are delighted that Mr Priestley will be our new Chairman, he brings with him a wealth of relevant expertise and experience which can only benefit both Bangor and Holywood as we endeavour to reach new cultural and commercial goals.  On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Sir Kenneth for all his excellent work in guiding the company over the last six years.”