HENRIK SKAK BENDER
NREP
Credit: NREP
NREP strengthens leadership by signing new partner as COO. NREP taps Henrik Skak Bender as new COO and partner. The former Group CFO at WS Audiology joins NREP to strengthen the leadership team at a time where focus on culture, performance and people is key for realizing an ambitious 2025 growth plan.
“NREP is at the absolute forefront of its industry and is an incredible company with strong values and a huge potential. I feel privileged to join an organization that cares deeply for both customers and employees, driven by a purposeful ambition of making real estate better and more sustainable. I look forward to contributing to this exciting growth journey with my experience of building and driving efficient, agile organizations based on strong values,” says Henrik Skak Bender.
JAMES SAUNDERS
intu
Credit: intu
intu appoints James Saunders as new Chief People Officer. intu has appointed a chief people officer to its executive team to bring a new focus to its people strategy as part of intu’s five-year strategy.
Vodafone’s former Head of HR James Saunders has taken up the newly-created role to lead intu’s employee experience, and attract, inspire and retain talent within the business. James has also held senior roles within HR and transformation teams at Nationwide Building Society.
Matthew Roberts, intu’s chief executive said: “Since becoming chief executive last year, I have focused on introducing new expertise and a fresh perspective to intu’s executive committee to allow us to deliver our strategy. The chief people officer role is a key appointment within the smaller and more focused executive team. James has exactly the right skills and experience for this new and incredibly important role.
TONI PERÄTALO
Newsec
Credit: Newsec
Toni Perätalo has been appointed as Head of Client Relations and Sales in Capital Markets team as of May 1, 2020. Toni returned from parental leave to his new assignment.
He is now responsible for sales and client relationship development in the Capital Markets team and in collaboration with other Newsec teams. Toni joined Newsec in 2013 and has been Partner since 2016. He has an extensive domestic and international network and a strong experience of large and complex real estate transactions both on sell and buy side – not to mention many other projects within Newsec.
RICHARD POYSER
Quintain
Credit: Quintain
Quintain appoints Richard Poyser as Head of Retail Leasing & Asset Management for Wembley Park. He will report to Matt Slade, Retail Director at Quintain.
Surrounding the world-famous national stadium, Wembley Park’s transformation reflects its legendary past and strong cultural heritage where many of the world’s greatest musicians, entertainers and sportspeople have played. In his new role, Richard will be responsible for the leasing and asset management of retail and leisure on Wembley Park, complementing the separate leasing activities of London Designer Outlet, the capital’s leading fashion and lifestyle outlet centre.
STEPHAN FICKL
Neinver
Credit: Neinver
Neinver has appointed Stephan Fickl as the company’s new Group Leasing Director. He assumes responsibility for this area of the group at the international level and reports directly to the Managing Director.
Stephan has over 20 years of experience in the retail industry across three continents, covering department stores, shopping centres and outlet centres. He will steer the group’s leasing strategy across the six European countries and 23 assets currently operated by the Spanish company, starting his role in an unprecedent time for retail. Neinver’s new Group Leasing Director comes from McArthurGlen Group, where for seven years he held the position of Regional Leasing Director Northern Europe, being responsible for the leasing of seven designer outlet centres. Prior to that he worked 9 years for ECE as Head of Leasing Middle East and Head of Leasing Bulgaria and Croatia. Stephan began his career in the retail sector in 1999 at Woolworths (South Africa) and later in commercial real estate with Kleppierre/Ségécé (France).
DAVID HARGRAVE
intu
Credit: intu
intu announced the appointment of David Hargrave as Chief Restructuring Officer. David Hargrave has 20 years of experience as a partner in the restructuring practices of both PwC and EY, specialising in business turnarounds across many sectors. He has also been appointed to the Board as a non-executive director.
Steven Brown
Nepi Rockcastle
Credit: Nepi Rockcastle
The company welcomes Steven Brown to the Board of Directors. Steven Brown will also serve as a member of the following committees of the board: Investment Committee, Risk Committee and Social and Ethics Committee. Brown has a strong background within the property industry, commencing as a listed property analyst in 2008 for Corovest. Following this, he joined Standard Bank’s Global Markets division in the equity derivatives finance team and thereafter joined the South African real estate division focusing on structured lending and equity transactions. Since 2013, Steven Brown has been involved with a number of listed real estate companies focusing on deal origination and structuring. Brown currently acts as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fortress REIT Limited, a company that he joined in December 2015, following the acquisition by Fortress REIT Limited of Capital Property Fund.
KATJA HOLMSTRÖM
Sponda
Credit: Sponda
Katja Holmström appointed as head of Sponda’s retail business.
Sponda has appointed Katja Holmström as Director, Retail and a member of the company’s Extended Management Team. Holmström will start in her new position in early August and she will be responsible for developing and managing Sponda’s Retail business. Holmström has 15 years of experience in real estate development, especially in the shopping centre sector, with a number of different companies. She will transfer to her new position from Nuveen Real Estate, where she has worked as Senior Portfolio Manager with responsibility for the company’s Finnish operations and for the Kamppi shopping centre property.
KRZYSZTOF MISIAK
Cushman & Wakefield Poland
Credit: Cushman & Wakefield Poland
Krzysztof Misiak appointed head of Cushman & Wakefield Poland. Global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has appointed Krzysztof Misiak as Head of Poland to succeed Charles Taylor who leaves the firm after 30 years.
Krzysztof Misiak, Head of the firm’s Office Agency in Poland, has worked for Cushman & Wakefield for 13 years. He was appointed Head of Regional Cities in the Office Agency team in 2012 and successfully launched the Cushman & Wakefield brand in Poland’s core regional markets. In 2018, he became Head of Office Agency in Poland. One of the best-known professionals in the Polish commercial real estate market, he has acted on close to 300 leases for more than 500,000 sq m.
THOMAS WELS
Patrizia
Credit: Patrizia
Patrizia appoints Thomas Wels as CO-CEO. He will be responsible for the development of PATRIZIA’s growing and diversified platform business and support the expansion into new business areas and international markets.
The Supervisory Board of Patrizia AG, the global partner for pan-European real estate investment, announced the appointment of Thomas Wels as new Co-CEO of Patrizia. Previously he served as Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor for UBS Asset Management. The former Head of Global Real Estate of UBS Asset Management will be responsible for the further development of Patrizia’s growing and diversified platform business and support the expansion into new business areas and international markets. Wels will assume responsibility as Co-CEO effective 1 May 2020.
RONNY PECIK
Immofinanz
Credit: Immofinanz
The Supervisory Board of IMMOFINANZ resolved upon the appointment of Ronny Pecik as member of the Executive Board of the company for three years starting with 4 May 2020. Ronny Pecik will be Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
“Ronny Pecik is a leading entrepreneur and his many years of experience in executive and supervisory board positions, carry a special strengthening of the Executive Board in challenging times like these. Further there is also a strong entrepreneurial responsibility grounded in the significant stake in IMMOFINANZ”, says Michael Knap, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of IMMOFINANZ.
The Executive Board of IMMOFINANZ therefore consists of Ronny Pecik (CEO), Dietmar Reindl (COO) and Stefan Schönauer (CFO).
YLVA SARBY
Kungsleden
Credit: Kungsleden
Ylva Sarby Westman is to be the new CFO of Kungsleden. Ylva will remain the Group’s Deputy CEO. At the same time, Kungsleden’s management team will be strengthened by the addition of Fredrik Sandell, the company’s current Treasurer.
“I am delighted that Ylva is to become Kungsleden’s new CFO. With 25 years in the industry, 11 of which in various senior positions at Kungsleden, she is one of the most experienced and well-qualified people in the real estate sector. Ylva has highly valuable expertise from the entire real estate business and is an experienced and much appreciated leader,” says Biljana Pehrsson, CEO of Kungsleden.
ED COOKE
Toolbox Group
Credit: Toolbox Group
Ed Cooke joins Toolbox Group to lead their global expansion plans. Toolbox Group founder and CEO Michelle Buxton has announced Ed Cooke, former Revo CEO, as their new Global Growth Director. Cooke, who takes up the newly created role with the company on 5 May 2020, has been brought in specifically to lead the continued strategic expansion of the award-winning technology and marketing innovation company. Cooke’s appointment also includes a seat on the Toolbox Group Board and shows the Group’s commitment to innovation, diversification and growth, even during this time of market volatility. Cooke, who has been with Revo for 11 years, four of which were as CEO, announced his departure from the retail property and placemaking champion in August 2019.
SANNA YLINIEMI
Citycon
Credit: Citycon
Prior to the new appointment, Yliniemi held the position of Vice President, Operations Development at Citycon. In her new position, Yliniemi is responsible at the Group level for the operations and results of the approximately 40 shopping centres owned by Citycon. Yliniemi is also a member of Citycon’s Extended Management Committee.
She has more than 15 years of experience in the retail sector and the shopping centre industry. She has been employed by Citycon for 10 years, since 2010. Prior to being appointed Vice President, Operations Development, Yliniemi held the position of Commercial Director at Citycon. Her responsibilities in her previous roles at Citycon have included the commercial planning and implementation of the refurbishment and expansion project of Iso Omena.
THOMAS DRIES
Signa
Credit: Klaus Mellenth
Financial expert Thomas Dries will support SIGNA in the area of banking as well as on the international capital markets. He will carry out his activities from SIGNA’s Berlin offices. He has been active in the banking area with a focus on real estate for almost 30 years. Most recently he was Deputy Head of Real Estate Finance at the Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen (Helaba), where he was responsible for the bank’s real estate lending business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.Prior to that, he was also responsible for the German, Austrian and Swiss markets as the Head of Real Estate Structured Finance Corporate & Investment Banking at Société Générale. He had previously already worked for Helaba from 2002 to 2008. At that time, he dealt with the acquisition and support of real estate customers.
Jürgen Fenk, Member of the SIGNA Group Executive Board, had this to say: ”With Thomas Dries, we are delighted to have been able to add an absolute expert to our team, with an extensive network in the field of banking & real estate financing.We extend him a warm welcome to the SIGNA family.”
JOSIP KARDUN
Meyer Bergman
Credit: Meyer Bergman
Josip ardun joins Meyer Bergman as CIO. He has 20 years of pan-European real estate investment and management experience. He previously served as CEO of Blackstone’s largest European operating platform where he managed over €10 billion of assets across 14 countries.
Meyer Bergman, the private equity real estate manager, has appointed Josip Kardun as Chief Investment Officer as it looks to expand its mixed-use focus across core European cities, with an increasing shift towards the office, residential and leisure sectors.During his 20-year real estate career, Kardun has worked with some of the world’s leading investors. His expertise spans multiple markets and asset classes, with a track record covering large-scale acquisitions, asset management, property management and growing listed firms.
ADA WALENTEK
Ceetrus Poland
Credit: Ceetrus Poland
Ada Walentek was appointed to a position of general manager for Ceetrus Poland. With this appointment she has taken charge of company’s strategy, management and development on Polish market.
Ada Walentek has been promoted within global structures of Ceetrus company and currently has become general manager of the company. She has been working for Ceetrus since 2015 and until February 2019 she was Operations Leader for Poland. Before that position she was responsible for commercialization as a Leasing Director.
“New position is an important professional challenge for me. I am happy that results we have reached together with Ceetrus Poland Team were appreciated. I am convinced that in the coming months we will develop our competences on real estate market and will start to work on new innovative projects”, says Ada Walentek, general manager Ceetrus Poland.
VOLKER STINNES
Land of Fashion
Credit: Land of Fashion
Volker Stinnes named new CEO of Land of Fashion. He has extensive international experience in consumer goods, initially holding roles within Unilever and Sony, followed by the positions of CFO and then Global Sales Director for the Napapijri brand (VF Corporation). In his most recent position as Business Director for the Bicester Village Shopping Collection by Value Retail, he continued to strenghten his experience in building partnerships with premium and luxury fashion brands within the outlet sector.
Volker is committed to embracing the Land of Fashion’s philosophy and brand values by creating experiential shopping destinations, each tailored by geographic location for a unique customer experience. One example includes the opening of the Phase III extension at Franciacorta in 2018, creating a premium village-within-a-village combining high quality retail space with restaurants and experiential elements.
SVEN SCHNEEWEISS
MEC METRO-ECE Centermanagement GmbH
Credit: MEC METRO-ECE Centermanagement GmbH
MEC METRO-ECE Centermanagement GmbH & Co. KG is filling the position of Head of Technical Property Management (TPM) with immediate effect with Sven Schneeweiß. He will take over the management of the division from Sebastian Kienert, CFO, who had previously managed it ad interim.
“With Sven Schneeweiß as the new head of TPM, we have chosen an experienced technician and businessman to meet the demand for complex technical construction projects,” says CFO Sebastian Kienert.
Together with the experienced project managers in the TPM team, Schneeweiß is responsible for larger-volume construction projects. These include, for example, complex rental area conversions, comprehensive modernisation of technical facilities, centre extensions and refurbishments. In addition, the management of the AVA department (tendering, awarding, invoicing) falls under his new area of responsibility.
Zaz Robb
Lunson Mitchenall
Credit: Lunson Mitchenall
The niche retail and leisure agent, Lunson Mitchenall, has extended its London team with the appointment of Zaz Robb. This comes shortly after Lunson Mitchenall announced an array of promotions at the firm last month.
Zaz, who is formerly of Shackleton, joins the London team as a surveyor at the firm’s new office in Covent Garden. In her role at Lunson Mitchenall, Zaz will be working on projects including Canary Wharf, The O2, Brent Cross, Southbank Centre and Elephant & Castle, as well as a range of clients such as AEG, Crosstree, Hammerson, The Canary Wharf Group and Delancey.
Jon Abrahamsson Ring
Inter Ikea Group
Credit: Inter Ikea Group
Jon Abrahamsson Ring will be the new CEO of Inter Ikea Group. “Torbjörn Lööf, who has successfully led Inter IKEA Group, headed by Inter IKEA Holding B.V., for the last seven years, has decided to end his assignment,” says Anders Dahlvig, chairman of Inter IKEA Holding B.V. “His successor will be Jon Abrahamsson Ring, who today leads IKEA franchising.”
To facilitate a good handover, Jon will first become Inter IKEA Group Deputy CEO as from 1 March, reporting to Torbjörn. He will start as CEO on 1 September. His succession will be announced in due time. Torbjörn Lööf joined IKEA in 1989, and he has since held various leadership roles throughout the IKEA business. Before his present position, he led the development of the IKEA offer and the IKEA supply chain as the Managing Director at IKEA of Sweden AB. He became CEO of Inter IKEA in 2013. Under his leadership, Inter IKEA Group launched a new long-term direction to make IKEA even more affordable, accessible and sustainable.
Simon Betty
Hammerson
Credit: Hammerson
Hammerson has announced that Simon Betty has been appointed to the newly created role of Managing Director City Quarters and Developments, representing another important milestone for Hammerson’s implementation of its City Quarters strategy.
Simon will be responsible for driving the City Quarters vision, which will see the group move beyond pure retail, delivering vibrant mixed-use neighbourhoods surrounding the Group’s existing flagship destinations. Simon joined Hammerson in 2006 and has extensive experience across the business having worked across developments, retail parks, investor relations and Group strategy prior to his current role in Ireland.
Shuen Chan
Legal & General
Credit: Legal & General
LGIM Real Assets (a division of Legal & General Investment Management) announces that it has appointed Shuen Chan as Head of ESG as it continues to establish itself as a global leader in responsible investment. Shuen will take the lead on ESG and support Legal & General’s strategic objective to embed sustainability in all areas of its Real Assets business, focusing on the LGIM Real Assets real estate equity platform and its rapidly expanding private credit portfolio (which includes infrastructure). She brings 25 years of experience in sustainability, capital markets and asset management, with expertise in ESG, climate change and impact investing. Most recently, Shuen co-founded a purpose-driven ESG advisory firm, Sustineri, helping institutional investors build a case for sustainable investing in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
“I am delighted to be joining the team at LGIM Real Assets as I truly believe that there is a significant opportunity in the real assets sector in delivering long term value for investors. ESG and sustainable investing in the real assets sector is fundamental to meeting the Paris Agreement targets and a transition towards a low carbon economy and society”, commented Shuen Chan, Head of ESG, LGIM Real Assets
VICTOR BUSSER
McArthurGlen
Credit: McArthurGlen
Mcarthurglen appointed Victor Busser as Group Managing Director Leasing. Busser, who was Leasing Director at McArthurGlen from 2008 to 2011, has spent the past eight years as General Manager of Arcus Real Estate. Before joining McArthurGlen in 2008, he worked at Neinver Italy for five years as Country Manager. Prior to that he had also held leasing roles at The Mills Corporation and at Cushman & Wakefield. He succeeds Adrian Nelson who is retiring this Easter after serving McArthurGlen and its brand partners for 16 years, most recently as Group Leasing and Brand Development Director.
In his new role at McArthurGlen, Busser reports to the group’s CEO, Julia Calabrese, who said: “We are delighted to welcome Victor back to the company. He understands the importance we attach to working in true partnership with our brands and he will be instrumental in driving the continued success of our mutual businesses. We thank Adrian for his immense contribution and dedication to McArthurGlen, and we wish him and his family every happiness in the future.”
