Frank Alvarez, the new Ignite Sydney director has three decades of experience in retail design, and is leading the Ignite Retail and Retail lead Mixed-Use teams.

Alvarez’s previous work includes a 25-year involvement with the Westfield group.

As to what he is most passionate about when it comes to retail design, Alvarez says, “I enjoy helping clients unlock value by establishing unique experiences supported by feasible proposals that are in synch with shopper behaviour.”

“As the world’s communities urbanise faster, live longer, are more empowered, and, of course, are digitally connected to anything anywhere, people want to spend their elective time in the most engaging places that not only give them what they want, but also become part of their personal daily stories,” says Alvarez.

“Whether it is accessing a click and collect point on the way home, escaping the airline lounge looking for a “real” coffee, walking a new luxury precinct, or savouring the latest dumpling offer prior to a big night out, the shopping and dining experience is forevermore connected to these stories,” he notes.

Gaining his degree in architecture from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona in 1987, in terms of his inspiration, Alvarez says that he “always looks to Japan for inspiration, where innovation is grounded in tradition and quality.”

In terms of what his future focus at Ignite, he says, “Building a great Australasian team that contributes significantly to growth in the region,” will be an immediate goal.