After more than two decades at the heart of Luton town centre, Roy Greening, centre director at Luton Point, will retire at the end of March, bringing to a close a career defined by transformation, resilience and an unwavering commitment to community.
Roy first arrived on site in September 2004, joining what was then The Arndale Centre as operations manager. Over the next 21 years, he became one of the longest-serving and most recognisable figures in Luton town centre, guiding the destination through three names, three owners and some of the most challenging periods modern retail has faced.
During Roy’s tenure, the centre evolved from The Arndale Luton to The Mall Luton, and finally to today’s Luton Point, reflecting not only a change in name, but a shift in identity and purpose. Throughout, Roy balanced commercial performance with the needs of the wider town, earning the respect of retailers, partners and community organisations alike.
A major milestone came in 2012 with the £25m St George’s Square development. Over his time at the centre, Roy has led significant investment projects for a building now more than 50 years old, including car park improvements, refurbished customer toilets and major retailer developments such as Lidl, Sports Direct, extended Primark and Superdrug stores, and the relocation of JD Sports.
Behind the scenes, Roy has championed sustainability and operational efficiency. Between 2015 and 2025, under his leadership electricity usage at Luton Point has reduced by 53%, gas consumption by 69% and water usage by 46%. Despite ongoing challenges facing UK high streets, the centre continues to be a welcoming place for more than 15 million visitors annually.
Over the past five years, under Roy’s leadership, the Luton Point team has made a remarkable contribution to the local community. Through Poppy Appeals and a wide range of their own fundraising activities, the team has raised £113,000 for various charities, alongside donating more than 2,500 volunteer hours to support local causes. This commitment reflects the centre’s deep-rooted dedication to giving back and making a meaningful difference across Luton and beyond.
Roy’s leadership style is widely described as calm, collaborative and loyal. Four colleagues who were on site when he started are still part of the team today, while the senior management team has worked together for the past nine years, a rare level of continuity within the retail property sector. Roy has consistently credited his colleagues as the centre’s greatest strength, championing a people-first culture throughout his career.
He said: “I want to put on record that leading the amazing Luton Point team for the past 10 years has been a huge privilege and I am so proud of everything we have achieved together as a team. It’s the people that make this the best place to work, thank you to those who I have worked closely with for your support and inspiration to allow us to collectively achieve so much.”
That ethos extends well beyond the building. Roy has been a passionate advocate for Luton, supporting organisations including Luton Foodbank, Level Trust, Luton Shopmobility, Keech Hospice Care, The Lewis Foundation and the Royal British Legion, alongside numerous local initiatives. He helped establish Luton Business Against Crime, now operated through Luton BID, and has served as Vice Chair of Luton BID, working closely with Luton Council, the police and Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and has also been involved with Love Luton.
His contribution has been widely recognised. In October 2023, Roy met King Charles III in recognition of his work promoting community cohesion. He was also named ‘Community Businessperson of the Year’ at the 2023 Luton’s Best Awards and received its Outstanding Service Award in 2025.
Reflecting on his career, Roy remains characteristically modest. Yet for many across Luton, his legacy is unmistakable: a steady hand through change, a champion of partnership, and a director who understood that a shopping centre is not just a retail destination, but a cornerstone of community life.
As retirement calls, Roy has no intention of slowing down his pace of life. Roy explained, “I am hugely excited about the future and have so much planned. My wife and I have recently purchased a motorhome so 2026 will be about exploring the UK with our two dogs and hopefully 2027 will be the European tour. I have three daughters and five grandchildren, so I have lists of DIY jobs to fulfil and grandchildren to spend quality time with whilst also maintaining an allotment with a great friend of mine. I plan to take a bit of time to consider volunteering opportunities and then push forward to support them the best I can. I don’t think I’m going to struggle to keep busy.”
As Roy prepares to step back, the future of Luton Point remains firmly focused on progress, as well as continuity. The centre’s current Head of Operations, Laura McCluskey, will take over as Centre Director in April, with key projects already underway, including new heating and cooling systems, the continued regeneration of the town centre linked to Power Court, the new Luton Town FC stadium and The Stage development near the railway station.
Laura McCluskey, incoming centre director at Luton Point, said: “As I move into my new role as centre director, my objective is to ensure business continuity, engage and support our team, protect and grow income and position the centre for sustainable long-term growth.
We’ve built a team that we can all be proud of, a team that anyone would be fortunate to lead. Roy has set an excellent example, and while I would never compare myself to him, I am proud to continue his legacy. I look forward to spending more time with our retailers and the community, demonstrating the same dedication and drive to ensure Luton Point remains the very best it can be.”
–
