Jim Dempsey, pictured with NABMA President, Councillor Gareth Jones will be leaving Manchester Markets at the end of January. At the recent NABMA Wholesale Forum meeting tributes were paid to Jim for his long and dedicated service to Manchester, NABMA and the Markets Industry.

NABMA is grateful to Krys Zasada, Head of Markets at Manchester who has provided the below summary of Jim’s long and distinguished service. NABMA extends its thanks to Jim for his support over many years and extends every best wish for his new career direction.

“Jim began his career with Manchester City Council, in the former Stationery Department, in 1968, at the tender age of 17.

In 1974 he moved to MCC Housing Department, having been appointed to the post of Staffing Officer. His role made him responsible for recruitment and selection, human resources issues and wages and salaries.

He was appointed to the position of Staff Officer for Manchester Markets in 1978. Whilst he worked in this role he developed an interest in markets and decided he would like to embark on a career in Markets’ management.

In 1980, he asked to become Market Superintendent at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Market. He soon picked up the skills required to be a successful market manager and was appointed to the post of Arndale Market Superintendent in 1982. The Arndale Market was a 191-stall indoor market with a separate fish market, located within the prestigious Arndale Centre in city centre Manchester, and at that time it was the flagship of Manchester’s market portfolio.

Jim had now become Manchester’s most experienced manager and was asked to transfer to Harpurhey Market in 1987. In this troubleshooting role, he quickly transformed Harpurhey into a thriving and successful retail market.

Jim’s career in markets quickly gathered pace and, in 1989, he successfully applied for the post of Markets Manager at Warrington Indoor Market. He also managed a small outdoor market at Lymm. Jim worked closely with the Market Tenants Association, Warrington Town Centre Management and regularly attended the Town Centre Working Group and engaged the local community. During his time at Warrington Jim was active in NABMA’s fight against the deregulation of market rights and appeared on local and national television in interviews at the market. He was also one of the early supporters of the Great British Market Week and worked with his tenants and the NMTF to promote many events.

In 1998, after gaining 9 years’ experience as the senior markets officer within the authority, the opportunity arose for Jim to return to Manchester Markets as Operations Manager, where he has played a significant role in the transformation of Manchester Markets into a highly successful and professional organisation. He was instrumental in implementing the relocation of Wythenshawe Market, the transfer of Grey Mare Lane Market to a Traders’ Co-operative, and the refurbishment of Longsight Market. He was a member of the Project Management Group for the new Arndale and Harpurhey Markets.

He lead on Health & Safety issues, regularly attends and contributes to the Manchester Markets Management Team Meetings, the Environmental Working Group and chairs the Health & Safety Working Group for Trading Services.

Following a restructure of Manchester Markets in 2005, Jim moved to the role of Wholesale Market Manager at New Smithfield Market, where his experience in redevelopment work, has proved invaluable in co-ordinating the new build activities of two of the major players on the market, which will be a precursor to the redevelopment of the wholesale market.

Having represented both Warrington Borough Council and Manchester City Council on NABMA for the past 20 years, regularly attending the AGM and Conferences, Jim now attends and contributes to the Wholesale Committee meetings.

Jim is leaving Manchester Markets, at the end of January, to take up the post of Car Parks Manager for Manchester University.

Krys Zasada, Head of Markets for Manchester City Council stated:” It’s been a real privilege working with Jim over the past 9 years. His support and experience has been invaluable in modernising our markets. I wish him all the best in his new career.”

NABMA Chief Executive Graham Wilson added his tribute “NABMA is sad to see Jim leaving markets. He has been a first class officer, demonstrated great vision and has been a pillar in his support and attendance at NABMA meetings and events over many years. The Presidency and all his many friends within NABMA wish him every success and happiness for the future.”