Having taken over as CEO of NEPI Rockcastle on April 1, Marek Noetzel also joins the ACROSS Advisory Board, further strengthening the platform’s connection to one of Europe’s leading retail real estate companies.
“With Marek Noetzel joining the ACROSS Advisory Board at this pivotal moment, we are welcoming not only one of the most influential leaders in European retail real estate, but also a personality who stands for clarity, discipline, and long-term thinking,” says Reinhard Winiwarter, Publisher of ACROSS.
“His perspective on continuity as a strategic advantage and his deep understanding of Central and Eastern European markets make him an outstanding addition to our circle.”
From Operations to Strategic Leadership
Noetzel, who has taken over as CEO of NEPI Rockcastle on April 1, has been instrumental in shaping NEPI Rockcastle’s growth over the past years. Since joining Rockcastle Global Real Estate in 2016, he has played a key role in expanding the company’s footprint in Central and Eastern Europe, including establishing its operations in Poland. Following the merger with NEPI, he served as Board Member and Director of Retail in Poland before being appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2022.
As COO, Noetzel was responsible for overseeing operations across a portfolio of approximately 60 properties in eight countries. His leadership has been defined by a disciplined approach to occupancy strategy, leasing, and asset management, supporting more than €1 billion in acquisitions, developments, and active asset management initiatives. This has translated into strong operational performance and record financial results for the company.
Prior to joining NEPI Rockcastle, Noetzel spent 15 years at Cushman & Wakefield, where he rose to Partner and gained extensive experience in retail real estate advisory, development, and investment across the region. His career reflects a consistent shift from transactional expertise toward long-term value creation and ownership thinking.
Continuity as Strategy
As CEO, Noetzel emphasizes continuity, execution, and financial discipline as the cornerstones of future growth. His leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that strong teams, clear structures, and long-term strategic focus are decisive factors in navigating an increasingly complex market environment.
“We are very proud to welcome Marek to the ACROSS Advisory Board,” adds Klaus Striebich, Head of the ACROSS Advisory Board. “His ability to combine strategic clarity with operational excellence and his deep understanding of market dynamics will provide valuable impulses for our discussions and for the development of our content.”
Continuity at Board Level
At the same time, ACROSS is particularly honored that Rüdiger Dany, former CEO of NEPI Rockcastle, will remain a member of the Advisory Board.
As one of the most experienced and respected figures in the European retail real estate industry, his continued involvement represents continuity, depth of expertise, and a strong link between past achievements and future perspectives.
A Thank You and Transition
A subtle change within the Board accompanies this new appointment: Markus Povari, Founder of HyperIn, will step down from his role as Advisory Board member.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Markus for his valuable contributions, his innovative thinking, and his engagement over the past years,” say Klaus Striebich and Reinhard Winiwarter. “He has been an important voice within the Board, and we greatly appreciated the collaboration.”
About the ACROSS Advisory Board
The ACROSS Advisory Board was established in mid-2016. From day one, the Board’s stated goal has been offering its expertise in topic formulation, evaluation, and strategic orientation. Over the years, the Board has grown increasingly interdisciplinary, reflecting the evolving nature of the retail real estate industry. Its 31 members include leading experts from investment, development, architecture, retail, PropTech, and consulting. This diversity of perspectives enables ACROSS to closely monitor market developments, identify emerging trends, and provide meaningful context for the industry.
