To further strengthen its retail capability on a European scale, CB Richard Ellis has recruited top international retail specialist Chris Igwe and three of his staff to join its Retail team for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). In addition to taking the helm of the Retail department of CBRE France, Igwe will be specifically charged with the strategic development of shopping center leasing across EMEA and reinforcing the existing offering in town center retail, whilst continuing to provide consulting services to major brand retailers.
Igwe, founder of the eponymous firm established in 2001, is renowned in the industry for providing full service support to retail clients, from strategy to execution, and after-care including design, construction and legal coordination, making the appointment a good fit with CBRE's successful international retail model.
Igwe's business serviced and holds long-standing relationships with a host of well known retailers, including Esprit, Tumi, Game, Accessorize, Build A Bear Workshop, Mexx, Petit Bateau and WMF.
"After already increasing European retail staff by 25 per cent this year, the arrival of Chris Igwe and his team enables us to step up strategic activity further, particularly in the area of shopping centres," commented Antoine Derville, a member of the CBRE Board of Directors, France.
"His enviable list of clients combined with a respected reputation right across the industry, among landlords and retailers in France, Europe and the U.S., makes him an exciting strategic addition to the CBRE Retail team. We are extremely pleased to welcome an internationally acknowledged expert such as Chris to our team."
Igwe's international retail experience will be invaluable to CBRE's existing international retail capability, in a market that is increasingly cross border in nature and reliant on expertise and relationships spanning the globe.
Igwe brings with him from Chris Igwe International, three team members Delphine Degieux (Consultant), Sébastien Vicente (Consultant) and Jennemie Vicente (Personal Assistant and Client Coordination), all commencing roles with CBRE on 17 December 2007.
"My aim is to continue to drive forward CBRE's strong position within France and across EMEA as the authority on international retailing, cementing our position as the 'Consultants of Choice' for retailers and landlords alike," Igwe said.
"I'm delighted to be joining a truly global retail team at CBRE and am looking forward to growing the existing team and building upon the relationships and professional and personal skills the team already possesses."
Source: fdtamesis
