FOUNDRY appoints operational team ahead of launch
Foundry, the brand-new work-play space due to open in Poole later this month, has appointed two new members of its management team.
Ema Armstrong and Esraa Al Saab join forces as general manager and assistant manager for Foundry Poole, bringing extensive experience in entrepreneurship, customer service and leadership. Together they will arrange a variety of regular networking events for current and prospective members and grow the Foundry community in Poole.
Ema has worked as a general manager for various retailers such as Iceland and WH Smiths, where she gained more than 30 years’ experience in leadership, financial planning and business management.
Commenting on her new role, Ema said: “I’m excited to take on a new challenge and start a new chapter with Foundry. I love managing people but more importantly, I have a ‘one team’ ethos and get a buzz from working in a close-knit team. I strive to support and encourage my colleagues, and often go by the motto “dream it, believe it, achieve it” because I believe anything is possible, which complements our values at Foundry.
“Foundry is an innovative space where individuals and businesses can learn and grow from each other. Joining the team at this key stage enables me to be a part of Foundry Poole’s evolution into an incredible hub where people thrive. With the help of my colleague Esraa, I’m really looking forward to facilitating success for Foundry members.”
Esraa will support Ema as her assistant-manager where the two will work cohesively to grow the Foundry Poole community. Esraa has an MSc in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship where she combines business knowledge gained in her masters and analytical thinking from her previous experience as a pharmacologist. Esraa most recently worked at Bournemouth University and is keen to encourage graduates to join Foundry and take advantage of networking with professionals.
Esraa added: “Foundry offers the chance for members to meet a diverse group of people while working and enjoying an innovative space full of energy.
Foundry aims to boost new entrepreneurial ideas in the local community and is a welcoming space where everyone can feel motivated and inspired.
“I have used a lot of co-working spaces previously, mostly in Bournemouth and London, so it’s exciting to bring a more dynamic concept to The Dolphin and the local area. Sometimes we just need a place to clear our minds, put our heads down and work and I am very enthusiastic to drive this creative space to see it blossom over time alongside Ema and Adam.”
Adam Walker is the co-founder of Foundry and has more than 24 years’ business experience specialising in technology, property development and regeneration. Adam first launched Foundry in Eastbourne in 2022 alongside LGIM (Legal and General Investment Management Real Assets) before starting development of a second site in Poole and a third site in Walthamstow.
Foundry Poole will be base for up to 250 members when it opens in The Dolphin and has more than 80 of the county’s leading businesses signed up to be the first members ahead of its opening.
The co-working space offers boutique flexible and affordable options for all sectors, including day passes and monthly memberships.
To register your interest, book a tour, or to find out more information about FOUNDRY Poole, please visit www.foundryuk.com and follow @foundryspace on Instagram and Facebook.
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Notes to Editors
FOUNDRY is a joint initiative with the Dolphin Centre owners, Legal and General Investment Management Real Assets (LGIM) and Adam Walker. It complements the variety of new initiatives that have launched at the Dolphin over the past two years, as part of the centre’s re-imagining to draw more people to the town centre.
FOUNDRY creates flexible, affordable, professional, vibrant, mixed-use venues to give entrepreneurs space to think differently. The curated work-play spaces are in geographies that haven’t previously been well served by local, modern working spaces.
Rented by the day, week or month, there are flexible working options available to accommodate businesses of all sizes.
The space is beautifully designed and repositions an urban product, putting it in areas that are poorly served and completely curated to the towns it sits in. A place to work, retail and events are combined within one space.
FOUNDRY Poole is one of two sites currently in the pipeline, with Walthamstow in east London set to open next summer. The first site opened in Eastbourne this summer at LGIM’s centre, The Beacon.
To find out more information about Foundry Poole, please visit www.foundryuk.com or follow @foundryspace on Instagram and Facebook.
You Are The Media
FOUNDRY is partnering with You Are The Media to enable tickets for its Creator Day event to be purchased at an accessible price. Held on the 27th April, event attendees will receive free access to work from Foundry on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th April.
Find out more information, here: www.youarethemedia.co.uk/creator-day
For press enquiries contact:
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T: 01202 112036
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Samantha Pape at Liz Lean PR
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E: samantha.pape@lizleanpr.co.uk