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Appointment

“When the tenant thrives, the asset survives” is an old saying in retail real estate leasing management. But survival is only the baseline – the ambition must go further. Not just to “survive” – the asset should “fly.” But what will it take in 2025 for an asset to take off? For this cover story, we asked leading figures in the European retail real estate sector what they see as the most significant current challenges, as well as the solutions needed, for retail assets not just to survive but to prosper.

Having worked with the company for 6 years, Or Ackerman will now as CEO of G City Europe. With his experience and esteemed qualifications such as CPA and MBA with specialization in financial management, Ackerman will oversee G City Europe’s next chapter on the Polish Market.

In 2025, after more than a quarter of a century of dedicated service to Europe’s retail real estate community, the European Shopping Places Trust (ESPT) will close its books. For the professionals, students, researchers, and industry leaders touched by its work, this moment is less an ending than a milestone. This is a chance to reflect on what has been achieved and the legacy that will endure.

Christine Hager has been appointed to the management board of Sierra Germany GmbH with immediate effect, succeeding Jorge Morgadinho. A seasoned executive and real estate expert, Hager has been part of the leadership team since Sonae Sierra took over the property management division in 2022, and she reports directly to the executive board of Sonae Sierra in Portugal.

Sonae Sierra has announced the appointment of Tobias Lagaly as the new Center Manager of EUROPA-Galerie Saarbrücken, a prominent shopping destination in the heart of the Saarland capital. The native Saarbrücken resident officially assumed his new role today, bringing with him extensive industry experience in both center management and event development.

With the promotion of Dr. Philipp Hoog to partner as of July 1, 2025, BBE Handelsberatung underscores its long-standing commitment to shaping the future of retail and consumer goods through expert strategy and innovation.

Bulgaria’s high-performing retail market was highlighted at NEPI Rockcastle’s third Retailers Day held recently in Sofia. More than 150 representatives from leading international retailers and industry partners gathered for a full day of insightful presentations on the Group’s new greenfield shopping centre project to be developed in the city of Plovdiv, international retail trends and global macroeconomic perspectives.

Portland Design announced that Paddy Gamble has joined the team as Head of Data & Analytics, a key new role that marks a significant step forward in the firm’s ambition to deepen its data-driven placemaking capabilities.

Scallier, a Poznan-based company operating in the commercial real estate sector in Poland and Romania, is expanding its management structures as part of its operations in the country. Since mid-April 2025, Rafał Langer has been leading the Property Management Department as Head of Property Management.

Felix von Saucken, current Head of Residential in Germany, has been promoted to CEO of Colliers in Germany, effective 1 March 2025, reporting to Davoud Amel-Azizpour, CEO, EMEA. Von Saucken will also become an equity partner in the business.