Rob Bates-Smith offers a unique expertise to mixed-use developments, garnered from a diverse 20-year history in International hospitality and project management. At Place Development he specialises in precinct strategy & rollout, curation of tenancy mix, concept design and development (food, beverage, retail and public spaces), project management and delivery, retail leasing strategy & negotiations, facilitating the transition to operation and stakeholder engagement. Rob’s valuable skillset also includes OSE procurement, policy, procedure and systems development, compliance, wide-ranging operations, brand development, on premise strategy, wholesale and distribution. Rob is currently focused on delivering Perth’s first surf park and The Lodge Wadjemup on Rottnest Island, among other complex projects.In his previous role, Rob managed the tenancy curation, place making strategy, development and delivery for Hibernian Place & The Westin Perth – a high-profile, iconic mixed-use precinct in Perth’s CBD. It followed his drive and involvement in delivering Australia’s first Aloft Hotel in 2017. Always an innovator with an entrepreneurial prowess, Rob was a founding partner of several successful food, beverage and retail ventures and strives for the best results in each and every one of the world-class projects he collaborates on.