Ermine Amies, managing director of The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Europe, has been shortlisted for European Woman of Achievement 2005. These unique awards highlight women who are making an outstanding contribution in their field, which has a significant European dimension, and provide a wonderful opportunity to recognise and applaud women who are helping to reshape Europe for the better.
Amies moved to become Chief Operating Office at ICSC Europe in 2002, and was made Managing Director just six months later. She moved to this European role after creating the UK's largest business advisory service, Business Link for London, in her role as chief executive.
Since taking over at ICSC Europe she has more than doubled the European membership of this global trade association that has in turn increased opportunities for pan-European co-operation. ne of her major achievements has been the setting up of the European Retail Property School and masterminding the development of scholarship awards through ICSC's national councils. Amies commented: "The provision of further education in any sector should be a top priority, because it's through education that we can continue to support the development and regeneration of Europe into a cohesive and mutually supportive environment where individuals from every European country have access to similar opportunities."
"The shopping centre industry encompasses a wide range of specialisms including development and investment, and often finds itself at the vanguard of change - especially now in Central Eastern Europe where it's thanks in part to the significant financial investment of ICSC Europe members that countries such as Poland, Hungary and The Czech Republic are now developing a new infrastructure which also contributes to each country's regeneration. I'm absolutely delighted to have been nominated for this prestigious award."
Source: ICSC
