New post brings The Beacon closer to the community

The Beacon has created a new role to bring itself closer to the heart of the community and to build on relationships with key local organisations.

Hend Moussa is the centre’s first ever community manager. Hend will strengthen existing partnerships and explore opportunities to work more closely with community groups and the creative sector.

The role is the latest creation of Centre director James Roberts and underlines his drive to place The Beacon at the heart of Eastbourne.

Hend said: “I love Eastbourne and I am passionate about bringing people together. This exciting role will allow me to merge the two together to create exciting new concepts unique to our town and its heritage.”

The community manager will be working closely with James to strengthen links between retailers and the vibrant town culture.

James welcomed the appointment: “We are moving from a pure retail destination towards a more diverse, community environment and sustainable economy. We want to engage with partners across the sectors and cement our relationships with as many groups as possible. Hend will fit in perfectly and be a great ambassador for the Centre.”

Hend grew up in Eastbourne and has worked within East Sussex and the Middle East. She was part of the opening team at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, working alongside 25 different nationalities and international global brands, including the first ever Samsung Experience Store and Giorgio Armani fashion show.

She has also worked in the United Arab Emirates as a Retail Development Manager for the award-winning Axiom Telecom, an Emirati owned telecoms retailer.

After seven-years abroad, Hend hopes to bring her wealth of experiences and ideas back to Eastbourne.

She said: “I’m proud to be a key part of the transformational journey here at the Beacon. We have a lot of talented people living here and the work we are doing behind the scenes with them is really inspiring.”