Kate Methuen, pictured, has been appointed marketing manager at Festival Park, Ebbw Vale.

Kate will be responsible for implementing an integrated marketing plan to re-launch the shopping centre, developing brand position and monitoring consumer perception.

Kate has 10 years' marketing experience after starting her career on the Bass plc graduate scheme. She is a former senior marketing manager for Mitchells and Butlers plc where she was responsible for the brand positioning and tactical support for 65 outlets including Flares and Reflex. Kate also developed the annual UK marketing plan for Caeser and Sheba while at Masterfoods, part of Mars UK Ltd, and as a trade marketing manager at Britvic Soft Drinks led the on-premise promotion strategies for Pepsi, 7UP, Red Devil and Purdey's.

Festival Park is Wales' original outlet centre and was built on the site of the 1992 Garden Festival of Wales. Set in 75 acres of parkland, the outlet centre covers 100,000 sq ft and comprises 41 units, a garden centre and 1,000 free car parking spaces.

It was recently acquired by Chester Properties for £19.5m and is currently undergoing refurbishment and development.

Chester Properties plans to refurbish and develop the centre to improve the retail offer and increase footfall from the primary catchment population as well as those within an hour's drive of the centre and the four million tourists who visit the Brecon Beacons every year.

Chester Properties is in discussions with some of the UK's biggest high street names to secure an anchor store and other new tenants.

Tom Tyler, director Chester Properties, said: "We are delighted to welcome Kate to the team. This is a crucial time for Festival Park and we will rely on Kate to drive the marketing strategy forward, shaping the new brand of the re-launched centre and raising its profile to increase spend and visitor numbers."