About
the Event
17th Annual CEE Retail Awards
e-Retail & Innovation
The CEE Retail Awards is the region’s premier awards show and experience celebrating the retail industry. Widely recognised as the market benchmark for retail success in Central and Eastern Europe, EuropaProperty is proud to host and present the 17th annual CEE Retail Awards Gala. This eagerly anticipated occasion will take place on January 30th, 2025, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Warsaw.
The Flagship Retail Event for the Region
The CEE Retail Awards is dedicated to today’s new look networking environment and delivers a professional platform for deal-making, relationship-building, and one-on-one or group discussions on the evolving retail investment and development opportunities that are presenting themselves to the market.
The event opens with the CEE Retail & CEO Networking Forum, a series of discussion panels covering all hot topics and relevant issues for today’s dynamically evolving retail sector. The Retail Forum provides an opportunity to hear from some of the retail market’s leading thought leaders, as well as opportunities to discuss and explore the retail industry’s most important topics.
STAY CONNECTED
This event consists of forums, networking, a retailer platform, an awards gala, and an online Retailer Networking Platform, as well as providing an excellent opportunity to make new contacts and renew existing business relationships on a professional networking platform.
These are unprecedented times and EuropaProperty is fast becoming a multidisciplinary enterprise with an array of mediums to help the industry move forward. Therefore, The CEE Retail Awards is active and available to attendees and sponsors to utilize immediately.
E-RETAIL & INNOVATION
Meet the most active retailer, innovators, e-retailers, investors, developers, bankers, asset managers, and CRE professionals active or looking to enter the region. With over 600 directors – local, regional and international participants – this event is not to be missed.
As a backdrop to the whole event is the Retailer Networking Platform, an online marketplace where developers and retailers can meet to discuss, formulate and make deals.
KEY RETAILERS
At the awards gala, retailers, real estate companies, projects and individuals will be presented with awards of acknowledgment by the industry for their contribution to the development of the retail commercial real estate market in the region.
EuropaProperty is expecting more than 600 participants including over 100 retailers doing business or planning to do business in the region. This two-day event is subject to considerable media coverage with local and international media present. This ensures participants, companies, and award winners, an extra opportunity to publicize themselves and of course the retail sector throughout the whole of Central and Eastern Europe.
CEE Retail & CEO Networking Forum 2025: Pioneering Insights and Collaboration Opportunities
A Food and Leisure Masterclass by Jonathan Doughty, Viklari Consulting
2.30 pm – Food – the 1st great game changer – presentation by Jonathan Doughty
3.00 pm – Panel session 1 “Who is doing food well in 2025”
15-minute coffee break
3.45 pm – Leisure is Pleasure – a walk round the world of leisure in retail – presentation 30 minutes by Jonathan Doughty
4.15 pm – Panel session 2 “Who is doing leisure well in 2025”
4.45 pm – Q&A from the floor
5.00 pm – END
Event Schedule 26 January
Location is not everything anymore.
Since e-commerce increasingly cannibalises revenues, retail has no choice but to reinvent itself for the customer.
Can ESG be a recipe to deliver a unique experience in the future and attract the customer?
The retail sector is confronting numerous challenges and is undergoing rapid evolution. Notably, there is significant growth and innovation as traditional physical stores and online commerce intersect more closely. What potential lies ahead for the development of retail and shopping centres? How can retail portfolios adapt to maintain competitive rental values? Investors and developers in the region encounter major challenges—what are they? The prevailing economic conditions—how do they influence the sector? Will there be any shifts in credit financing availability? Emerging investment opportunities—are there any? Exploring the alternatives and identifying potential prospects in this dynamic sector.
A time for networking with speakers, sponsors and attendees.
The swift evolution of the retail landscape is intensifying the demand for strategically positioned retail spaces. Many international and regional retailers are opening and expanding across the region indicating how compelling the CEE markets are right now. In 2025, average GDP growth across the CEE is forecast to double that of Western Europe, operating costs have stabilised, and household income and consumer spending are rising well. These factors present retailers with outstanding opportunities to grow their regional presence. What are the current requirements for shopping centres, retail parks, high streets, outdoor malls, and standalone convenience stores? Which retail categories are extending their presence into traditional shopping centres? What quantity and type of space will be essential?
A time for networking with speakers, sponsors and attendees over a buffet-style lunch, liquid refreshments and tasty desserts.
2.30 pm – Food – the 1st great game changer – presentation by Jonathan Doughty
3.00 pm – Fireside Chat “Who is doing food well in 2025” with Marta Motz-Szwajcowska, Strategy & Experience Director, Full House Group
15-minute coffee break
3.45 pm – Leisure is Pleasure – a walk round the world of leisure in retail – presentation 30 minutes by Jonathan Doughty
4.15 pm – Fireside Chat “Who is doing leisure well in 2025” with Jonas Reinholdsson, Chief Growth Officer, Smash Entertainment
4.45 pm – Q&A from the floor
5.00 pm – END
Prepare to be amazed at our state-of-the-art gala night production, where cutting-edge technology meets breathtaking spectacle. This unforgettable awards experience will captivate and inspire as we celebrate excellence, reveal the winners, and honor our sponsors. Sit back, relax, and let the magic unfold.
“After Party” best and last chance for networking with all attendees. Celebrate with the sponsors, award winners, and short-listed companies late into the night.
Awards Categories
Submit your company in the following categories
Jury
Dieter Knittel is Head of International Real Estate Finance for Central and Eastern Europe at pbb Deutsche Pfandbriefbank. Dieter is responsible for the bank’s lending portfolio in the region. The regional focus is on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Dieter has been active in the CEE market for more than twenty years, including five years based in Warsaw as Head of Credit and Senior Risk Management.
Prior to establishing the Balmain Asset Management group in 2003, James held various senior positions with Westfield over a ten-year career, culminating in establishing their European shopping centre business in London in 1998.
Over his thirty-two year career, he has been directly involved with 2.7 million sqm and EUR 10.5 billion of shopping centre assets. James has worked in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and executed transactions across Europe, the USA and in Canada.
James leads the strategy and investments for the Sierra Balmain business.
Anna: Transforming Real Estate with 24 Years of Expertise
Anna is a seasoned leader in the commercial real estate industry, bringing over two decades of experience to the table. She spent the majority of her career at JLL, playing a pivotal role in the company’s growth across Poland and Central & Eastern Europe since the early 2000s. During her tenure, she spearheaded teams in Market Research, Consulting, Workplace Strategy, and Project Management, consistently delivering innovative solutions and measurable success.
Today, Anna leads the CEE operations at SINGU, championing transformative change in the real estate sector through cutting-edge CAFM (Computer-Aided Facility Management) solutions. Based in Warsaw, she combines strategic insight with a passion for innovation to shape the future of real estate in the region.
In 2018, she joined InPost Group as Marketing Director. Iza has over 20 years of experience in
marketing, public relations, management and building CX – positive customer experiences with the
brand. Previously associated with the entertainment industry as Marketing and PR Director at Cinema
City and Cineworld Group. She also gained marketing experience at Unilever, working on brands such
as Lipton, Amino, as well as Bakalland and Kamis -Przyprawy. Currently, she is involved in the
development of all brands of the InPost S.A. Group.
Dominik Uhe is Head of Investor Relationship Management at Kaufland International. Kaufland is one of the leading international grocery retailers, running more than 1,550 hypermarkets in eight countries.
Before taking on this position, he held several positions at Kaufland. In addition to operational and strategic responsibility in the area of leasing, the implementation and establishment of sustainable building certifications, he was also responsible for strategic expansion and has built up comprehensive and versatile real estate expertise. He has been an integral integral part of the company for over 10 years. Before joining Kaufland, he studied geography at the University of Cologne.
Dominik Uhe ist Head of Investor Relationship Management bei der Kaufland International. Kaufland ist einer der führenden internationalen Lebensmitteleinzelhändler und betreibt mehr als 1.550 Verbrauchermärkte in acht Ländern.
Bevor er diese Position übernahm, durchlief er mehrere Stationen bei Kaufland. Neben der operativen und strategischen Verantwortung im Bereich der Vermietung, der Umsetzung und Etablierung nachhaltiger Gebäudezertifizierungen, war er auch für die strategische Expansion verantwortlich und hat sich eine umfassende und vielseitige Immobilien Expertise aufgebaut. Er ist seit über 10 Jahren ein fester Bestandteil des Unternehmens. Bevor er zu Kaufland kam, absolvierte er ein Studium der Geografie an der Universität zu Köln.
Agnieszka Gutowska, director of communication, marketing and CSR of Nhood Polska
Leads the work of the Nhood Polska marketing team and is responsible for the comprehensive implementation of the Nhood brand communication strategy and marketing strategy for 24 Auchan shopping centres. As well as for creation, implementation and execution of the sustainability strategy and its reporting.
She co-created the Nhood and Ceetrus brands and led the team responsible for their launch on the Polish market. She is a member of the international groups responsible for the implementation of “Vision in Action”, the development of the #People #Planet #Profit sustainability strategy and setting directions in this area.
Michał Sowa is a board member and co-owner of Cukiernia Sowa sp. z o.o. Since 2008, he has been actively involved in developing the family business, significantly contributing to the expansion of the Cukiernia Sowa network (now comprising 170 locations in Poland and one in London), including a franchise with over 50 business partners. He oversees sales, marketing, investments, and real estate. As a coffee enthusiast, he initiated the launch of the company’s own roastery brand – Sowa Caffè. Michał holds a master’s degree in management and marketing from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, as well as a master confectioner’s diploma. His efforts support the growth of local cultural, sports, and charitable initiatives.
Anna has over 17 years of experience in retail expansion, wide range of expertise with different real estate (i.e. shopping centers, retail parks, high-streets) and with various retail sectors: drugstore&pharmacy chain Cosmedica, bookstore&omnichannel retailer Empik, pet product retailer Maxi Zoo (Fressnapf). Recently joined a new retail department at Xiaomi Technology.
She specializes in development and implementation of expansion strategy, expansion, focused on sales, store’s performance and negotiation of both the deal and the lease contract.
Fascinated with the real estate world, retail and mixed-use projects together with social and hi-tech revolution in buying&lifestyle habits.
CMO & business generalist, people & organizational culture leader, strategist & agent of transformations. Within an over 15-year career path she has gained experience in premium & luxury goods, beauty & fashion sectors; both in b2b and b2c model, brick-and-mortar, and eCommerce. Her international expertise spans 40+ markets.
She has graduated from University of Warsaw, Oxford Business School, IMD Business School, and holds MBA & MCIM status. She had been gaining experience among others in Sephora and L’Oreal, and currently as Marketing Director Eastern Europe in Pandora.
João Xavier, is a senior real estate executive with an accumulated experience of 28 years, and he has worked for some of the largest European Real Estate companies: Sonae Sierra, Klepierre, Apsys Group and Multi Corporation. Currently, he is the Director of Retail at Widerproperty, a Lisbon – Portugal based Asset Management company, where he joined 3 years prior. He has a successful track record of accomplishments in Portugal, Poland, Turkey, Netherlands and across different European markets, which enabled him to acquire an in-depth knowledge of different retail markets.
With over 10 years of experience in FMCG, retail, and business development, Bliss is responsible for driving global partnership expansion for Card Factory, the leading specialist retailer of greeting cards, gifts, and celebration essentials, boasting a portfolio of over 1,000 stores across the UK.
As Carrefour Polska Shopping Malls Director, Ewa Karska is responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s strategic goals in terms of leasing, managing and developing a portfolio of over 35 large shopping centers of the chain on the Polish market with a total area of over 350 000 GLA.
She has been associated with the property industry for over 20 years. In 2003-2007 she managed Carrefour shopping centers in Toruń, Gdańsk and Kraków and then the lease of over 50 shopping centers belonging to the network in Poland. In 2008 she was appointed Country Shopping Malls Director for Carrefour Poland portfolio.
Magdalena Przybysz has been the Director of Expansion and Investment for the Central and Eastern Europe region since January 2019.
Previously, she worked for the H&M group for over 15 years. For many years, Magdalena Przybysz held the position of Leasing Manager on the Polish market and Central and Eastern Europe region. She graduated from the University of Finance and Management in Warsaw. Magdalena Przybysz has many years of experience in management, expansion and investment industry.
Lawyer, graduated from the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Wroclaw.
From 1992 to 2004 partner in the office of Legal Advisers Kołodziej, Pinkosz & Partners. Specialization: tax law.
Since 2004 in DEICHMANN-Obuwie Sp. z o. o. – the polish subsidary of Deichmann Group,
the largest shoe and sportswear retail chain in Europe, initially as an internal corporation lawyer, then the proxy of the board also responsible for the expansion of the company.
Since 2007 Vice President of the Board responsible for the administrative part of the company, including finance, investment and expansion of then retail chain.
Member of the Board in other companies of the DEICHMANN group – UAB Deichmann Avalyne (Lithuania), Deichmann Apavi (Latvia), Deichmann Kingad OÜ (Estonia) Deichmann Logistik Polska Sp. z o.o. (Poland) and Snipes Polska SA.
Oliver Burrak
Born 1974 in Stuttgart, Germany
Academic training:
▪ MBA, University of Cologne, Germany
Professional experience:
▪ Head of Sales Support Germany, Gerling Bancassurance GFVM, Frankfurt a.M.
▪ Head of PMO Sales Retail Germany (Merger HDI & Gerling), Cologne
▪ Head of CEE Maas&Roos Holding, Hilpoltstein & Warsaw (Planning – Signage –
Solutions)
▪ Owner and CEO Maas&Roos Polska, Warsaw (Planning – Signage – Solutions)
▪ Since June 2024:
Chief Representative Poland at NRW.Global Business (state-owned trade&invest
agency of North Rhine-Westphalia)
Language skills:
▪ German – first language
▪ English – business fluent
▪ Polnisch – fluent
Agata Sekuła has over 27 years of investment advisory experience in the retail sector and is one of the most renowned experts in the CEE region. Before joining EPP, she worked for JLL for 23 years. She has an enviable track record of successful sales and acquisitions of retail properties in the CEE region, having completed transactions with a total value of over EUR 13.5 billion.
Agata Sekuła has advised in the largest and most important transactions, including portfolios of Chariot and Atrium and shopping centres: Galeria Katowicka, Silesia City Center, Manufaktura, Stary Browar, Magnolia Park, Promenada.
Agata Sekuła graduated from Law and Administration faculty at the University of Warsaw and hold a diploma in property valuation from the Warsaw University of Technology, as well as the Certificate in Advanced Property Investment Appraisal, Advanced Property Finance and Funding and Advanced Portfolio Management gained at Investment Property Forum Advanced Education Programme in London.
Experienced Manager with over 25 years track record in commercial real estate.
Edyta worked for Retail Agency at JLL for 13 years on the positions of Senior Leasing Manager, Associate Director, Head of Landlord Representation Services and Senior Director. She was running and coordinating projects of retail space leasing/re-leasing, development and implementation of repositioning, extension remodeling strategies of retail facilities for investors such as: Inter Ikea, Globe Trade Centre, Resolution Property, Sierra Balmain, Neinver, White Star, Cromwell Property Group, Futureal, Caelum, Immobel, Carrefour Polska, S+B Gruppe, King Cross, Auchan Polska, Multi Development and many others.
Since April 2020 she has been responsible for expansion of German family-owned company – Tchibo. Her key responsibilities include: development of expansion strategy, location evaluation, commercial terms and lease agreement negotiations, coordination of construction works.
Edyta graduated from Warsaw University – Institute of Applied Linguistics. She has both real estate and management licenses.
Jacek Wesolowski has more than 30 years of experience in the retail, office and residential real estate markets. Since 2016, as managing director of Trei Real Estate Poland, he has been responsible for the company’s investment and development activities. He oversees the dynamic development of the Vendo Park retail park chain. He also manages Trei’s retail portfolio, which includes 139 facilities. As of 2019, he heads the residential company Trei Residential, which has already completed the Kraft estate, delivering 191 apartments to the Łódź market, and currently has under construction the Bacciarellego 54 estate in Wrocław (the fourth and final stage of this development), which will deliver a total of 276 units. Further plans include a development project in Poznań, where the first PRS development from Trei in Poland will be built. A similar development for institutional rental will also be built in Warsaw. In addition, one more residential project will be developed in the capital. Trei Real Estate Poland’s development plans also include starting construction of housing estates in Milanówek, Wrocław and Łódź. A total of about 2,000 apartments will be on offer in Poland’s largest cities as part of the planned projects thanks to Trei.
Jacek Wesolowski is an active ambassador of small retail formats. In 2019. Trei launched a project of the first annual summaries in Poland published in the form of independent reports issued in cooperation with consulting companies.
In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jacek Wesolowski was one of the initiators and representative of the community of retail park owners operating in Poland in talks with tenants. Negotiations were held with 38 chains and companies, representing more than 900 stores in over 200 locations. The agreements reached allowed tenants to reopen their stores by the end of May 2020.
Before joining Trei, he was responsible for the success of the first downtown KLIF shopping center in Gdynia, then the Silesia project in Katowice or the Castle Terraces in Lublin.
Hubert Abt has been working in the real estate industry for over 30 years. He worked as a developer and later in the land banking sector and provided equity and Mezzanine capital for various real estate projects. In 2013 he founded NEW WORK Offices in Budapest, which provides various flexible office solutions. Since then he developed the business model further and grew the company to today 16 locations in 3 countries with approx. 43.000 sqm which brings NEW WORK in the top 3 list in CEE. Hubert now leads the company as CEO while focusing on investor relations and franchising. Since December 2020 Hubert is also a founder and CEO of workcloud24, which provides digital solutions for workforce and workspace management.
Eran Levy serves as Chief Executive Officer for BIG Poland. He is responsible for overseeing all real estate operations, including the company’s asset management, portfolio management, property management, marketing, and leasing.
Before relocating to the Poland in 2023 as CEO, he worked as COO US since 2017 and served in several senior operation roles for BIG Israel since 2007. These roles include Manager of BIG’s first mall in Serbia, which is the largest shopping center in BIG’s portfolio outside the US, and Director of the company’s portfolio in the southern region of Israel.
Eran Levy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management from Ben-Gurion university in Israel.
Beata Maciąg has been associated with the Casino Group for over 20 years. Since 2008 she has been the Chief Financial Officer and since 2016 – a board member. In 2021 she took the position of Chief Excecutive Offficer.
Since, she heads development department and supervises overall Mayland’s activity.
She has been responsible for:
__ all financial aspects of running companies (statutory accounts, consolidation, budgeting, reporting);
__ management systems implementation and development; __ acquiring funds for company projects in form of bank loans or equity;
__ sale of shopping centres
managing the redevelopment of 25,000 sqm of retail space;
– supervising the complex project activities, such as leasing, property management, cost management, construction delivery, legal and financial matters;
Key skills – Over 25 years real estate experience with major international retailers : Sunglass Hut, GrandOptical-Vison Express, Camaieu, Foot Locker
Deep and extensive knowledge of international retail real estate, from strategy to implementation, from accelerated growth to disposals and market exits. Wide network of key contacts across all major markets.
Excellent understanding of deal economics and success criteria across markets.
Past and current board member of various organisations.
Worked successfully within companies and also as an external advisor. Built and led national and international teams to the highest levels of performance. Strong focus on financial performance of projects and deals. Excellent track record.
Head of expansion at Fruitisimo Group, with fresh experience in F&B retail sector and overal long experience in real estate. My focus is on creating additional value for customers, retailers and shopping center owners.
At Fruitisimo, I lead growth initiatives by identifying strategic locations for new stores and ensuring seamless market entry. My focus is on driving sustainable growth and creating opportunities that strengthen the brand’s presence.
My role at Fruitisimo perfectly aligns with my personal passion for healthy living. Cheers!
Paweł Oskędra is a mature senior manager with more than 20 years of work experience in commercial real estate. The first few years he spent working for both Jones Lang Wotton and Europa Park performing various services and being responsible for retail, offices and industrial (Europa Park). The next almost 10 years of his professional life Paweł spent working for shopping center owners, investors and managers. His positions during that time included head of the leasing department at ECE Projektmanagement, head of the leasing department at Parkridge Retail and head of the leasing department at Apsys Polska. Paweł was responsible for leasing and re-leasing of a portfolio of shopping centers, extensions of existing schemes and other restructurings, for investors such as GE, Heitman, Casino Group, Aviva Investors and Deutsche Bank group. He was involved in projects including Galeria Krakowska, Galeria Łódzka, Galeria Kaskada, Alfa Shopping Center, Galeria Bałtycka, Galeria Dominikańska, Focus Mall Bydgoszcz and Focus Mall Zielona Góra and lots of others. After 10 years working on the owner’s side, Paweł changed the side of the market and became Property Director at Ultimate Fashion, one of the biggest retailers in CEE, operating brands such as Esprit, River Island, GAP, Aldo, Mango, Hugo Boss, New Look, Peacocks, Mexx, Spring . He was personally responsible firstly for the roll out of brands such as : New Look, GAP, River Island and Peacocks and later on for the successful restructuring of the fashion division of EMF’s business in Poland and CEE, including Russia and Ukraine. Once happened Paweł joined another business unit of EM&F where performed services for other business units of EM&F to include Ultimate Fashion, Empik and Smyk both in Poland and some other markets. Since Feb 2015 Paweł moved to Smyk Group and holds the position of Property Director (area of responsibility: development + maintenance + construction) covering Poland, Ukraina and finally Romania.
Commercial real estate expert specializing in flex office solutions, associated with New Work since 2018. Oversees sales and operations, leading a team that successfully creates adaptive office spaces tailored to dynamically changing business needs. Actively involved in supporting the Ukrainian Business Community in Poland.
- Over 20 years leading fast casual, QSR and casual dining restaurants as CEO, President and CFO in both Europe and the USA.
- Vapiano CEO for turnaround acquisition out of bankruptcy. Over 150 restaurants in 32 countries.
- A passion for “telling the story”: presenting strategy, analysis and results to management, employees and Boards of Directors.
- Advisory Board Fruitisimo with over 100 stores
- Board member Burger King Germany with over 725 stores. 2022/2023
- President Burger King AmRest from 2018-2020 including Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Bulgaria operating 80 stores across CE. Franchisee of the Year award, Burger King EMEA 2019.
- AmRest CFO, co-led the AmRest IPO in 2005, the largest independent restaurant operator in CEE at the time growing to over 2600 restaurants in 26 countries across Europe and Asia with a portfolio of power brands such as Burger King, Starbucks, KFC, Pizza Hut Sushishop, La Tagliatelle and Blue Frog.
- Entrepreneur, President and Partner, Black-eyed Pea Colorado casual dining restaurants from 2008 to 2016. Purchase and turnaround of the 10 store chain in Colorado, USA.
Think Big…Always be Curious…Build Culture…Develop Great People…Reward Performance
Joanna Czajgucka-Terlecka is an experienced Expansion Manager in the clothing and accessories industry, with many years of experience in developing the chains of German brands (Deichmann, Takko, Bijou Brigitte) in the markets of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). She specializes in expansion and commercial real estate, including lease negotiations and project profitability analysis.
Joanna also has in-depth knowledge of the garment creation process, which enables her to deliver premium products that attract consumers.
Waldemar Madajczyk, as Vice President of European Markets CEE, is overseeing a broad range of operations including retail, wholesale, and licensing development across the region. He is responsible for operations in 27 countries within CEE and manages the Guess offices in: Warsaw, Katowice and Budapest. With 13 years of experience at Guess, Waldemar has demonstrated strong leadership and operational expertise, significantly contributing to the brand’s market positioning and growth.
Jonathan has been in the foodservice industry for over 45 years, starting his career in a public house in Nottingham, England, aged 14. He was too young to serve drinks but earned his first wages sorting glass bottles. It was from this early age that he fell in love with food and beverage.
These first experiences in the restaurant and bar industry then became a consuming passion and Jonathan went on to train as a chef and then a professional manager in hotels and restaurants, completing his craft qualifications, then a Diploma and finally a Bachelor of Science Degree in Foodservice Management.
Having worked for Imperial Inns and Taverns, Trusthouse Forte, Whitbread, Mars, Masterfoods and Marriot in operations, sales and new concept development and store openings, Jonathan embarked on his consulting career with a small London practice, working on the first UK food courts, transit catering and inflight foodservice. In 1993, Jonathan started “Coverpoint” the foodservice consulting business.
Coverpoint expanded progressively over 26 years and in that time provided advice to over 250 of the world’s best Owners, Operators Landlords and Developers with projects being delivered in over 50 countries.
Over this time, Jonathan became known as a leading thinker in his industry, with knowledge and insight into the performance of assets, brands, consumers and locations. He remains connected at the highest level with foodservice leaders and businesses across the world and with airport owners and operators, and property owners and managers in many countries.
In 2014 Coverpoint was sold to JLL, the professional property services business listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2017 Jonathan joined ECE, as Global Head of Foodservice. Jonathan is now a consultant to ECE, as well as providing services to a number of other companies and locations including airports and transit locations.
Jonathan is married to Misha and together they have two young children as well as two dogs and they live in the New Forest, Hampshire, England.
Yvonne leads a dedicated Cross Border Retail & Leisure team at Cushman & Wakefield, combining consultancy (new market entry and location strategy globally) and agency/brokerage. She is also a member of the EMEA Retail & Leisure Group board. Yvonne has held advisory board positions on trade bodies including ICSC (advisory board member, founding member of the European Research Group), BCSC and ECSP. While being based in London, Yvonne works closely with her many colleagues and C&W’s affiliate partners around the world, advising and representing many international retailers, brands, leisure and F&B operators on new market entry and expansion of existing store networks. She has worked in many countries across EMEA, APAC and the Americas. Yvonne has over 30 years’ experience of international retail and strategic consultancy, business development and client account management.
Charles moved to Central Europe in 1998, residing initially in Budapest and now in Warsaw. He is regarded as one of the region’s leading commercial real estate experts. As CEO of Knight Frank Poland and previously Managing Director of Cushman & Wakefield in both Hungary and Poland, Charles is an experienced leader or real estate consultancy firms within the CE region.
Charles has been instrumental in developing the region’s investment markets since the first institutional capital was deployed back in the early 2000’s. Transacting in the core markets of CE plus Croatia and across all commercial sectors, he has worked with a broad spectrum of clients including DWS, Union Investment, Skanska, Ghelamco, Heitman, Invesco, CBRE IM and Griffin Capital Partners. He advised Wing on the successful acquisition of a majority stake in the leading Polish developer Echo Investment and Charles remains a key advocate for the region’s continued success, especially Poland.
Charles will spearhead Knight Frank’s growth initiatives for the Polish market, delivering significant transactions across all sectors.
As Head of Investment Management Retail, Roman Müller is responsible for Union Investment’s acquisition and sales of retail properties in Europe. With a retail portfolio of approx. €9 billion, the company invests from market-dominant shopping centers to high street assets and grocery-anchored retail parks. In CEE, Union Investment owns and manages several retail properties with a valuation of nearly €1.6 billion. Most renowned are Manufaktura in Lodz and Palladium in Prague.
Before joining Union Investment in 2015, Roman Müller worked at Drees & Sommer and HIH Real Estate and lived in Hamburg, Moscow and Vienna. He studied Real Estate Engineering and Management at the Universities of Stuttgart and Cape Town and has more than 10 years of professional experience.
Agata has been part of the real estate in Poland and other CEE&SEE countries for over 20 years. She gained experience working for agency JLL leasing Galeria Mokotów among others, several Landlords DT Casino, Apsys, Klepierre and Tenants (Alshaya, Camaieu, Go Sport).
Since January 2020 she’s been responsible, as Real Estate Manager CEE, for expansion of Dutch worldwide brand Rituals, opening successfully 40 stores till end January 2024 and more to come.
Agata joined PRADERA in 2014. In her role of Head of CEE and Board Member, Agata is responsible for all aspects of Pradera’s operations in Central and Eastern Europe, where different vehicles are directly or indirectly controlling portfolio of 10 assets covering nearly 250,000 sqm of GLA, representing over €430 million value and nearly 500 tenancies.
Prior to joining Pradera, Agata held the position of Country Manager and Retail Director at Neinver Polska and was ultimately responsible for Neinver’s Polish operations including the development and asset management of the Factory Outlet Centers portfolio, Galeria Malta and Galeria Katowicka.
Agata’s earlier career in the retail property market include GTC S.A., on
behalf of Inter Alia, Galeria Mokotów and Galeria Kazimierz.
Agata graduated in Economics at PWSBiA in Warsaw, and is an AIESEC
organisation alumna. In 2017 Agata became a Certified Commercial Investment Member of the CCIM Institute. Since 2018 Agata has been holding Board Member position in Polish Council of Shopping Centres.
Barbara has been working in a commercial real estate business in CEE Region for over 20 years, dealing with expansion and leasing for various landlords and retailers.
Started in 2004 as Leasing Associate in Magnolia Park (Wrocław), continued her journey as Sales and Leasing Director in Verity Development and later, for over 10 years, represented Orsay brand in CEE region in an expansion role.
She joined Alshaya in 2023 as Head of Real Estate responsible for management and development of Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and The Body Shop’s portfolio in CEE region.
Barbara is an expert in expansion, management and negotiations. She loves exploring new countries, is very open-minded in finding extraordinary problem solutions and concentrates on delivering the best results for the company.
I am the CEO of Closer Music Corp., a music-driven tech company, a unicorn operating across Europe, the United States, and the GCC region.
In my role, I lead strategic innovation and drive growth, positioning Closer Music as a pioneer in global music solutions. Our expertise spans in-store and overhead radio, as well as sonic branding for businesses of all kinds.
With extensive experience in retail, franchising, wholesale management, and start-up ventures, I have consistently delivered impactful results throughout my career. Previously, I served as POA at Peeraj Brands International SRL, managing iconic brands such as Armani, Boggi Milano, and Swarovski. As CEO of SportsDelite, I successfully established Skechers’ monobrand store networks in Poland and Romania.
My career has taken me to diverse markets across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. I have spearheaded business expansions in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Baltic States, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Tehran. During my six-year tenure with Kazar and Kazar Studio, I focused on international and B2B growth, achieving remarkable results for the brand.
I have also contributed to ventures with Freeport Retail UK, Rohleder Lumby Ltd., and SJ International, managing collaborations with globally renowned brands such as Tom Tailor, Tommy Hilfiger, SARAR, and Mavi Jeans.
Driven by a passion for innovation and strategic growth, I bring a dynamic, results-oriented approach to business leadership, enabling organizations to thrive in competitive global markets.
Music matters—stay tuned!
Michał has been involved in the real estate market for almost 26 years. He specializes in commercial real estate. He has worked on many prestigious projects across Poland.
He has collaborated with the largest real estate companies in Poland and abroad, as well as with foreign funds. He enriched his experience through direct contact and collaboration with best RE people in business.
Michał is valued for his professionalism, extensive knowledge, very good relations with clients, achieving set goals and providing solutions in win-win strategy. He is a good team player with hard sense of duty and managerial skills. Good sense of humor and thinking outside the box are added values.
His passion is architecture, especially the combination of aesthetics and functionality of space. He appreciates free time spent with his family – wife, children and their dog.
A native of Minnesota, Paul Kusmierz, has been a resident in Poland and active in the Polish and CEE real estate markets since 1996. In 2006, Mr. Kusmierz founded Master Management Group (MMG). MMG has become one of the top leaders in the Polish real estate market, gaining the trust of international business partners in terms of development, management and investment. Mr. Kusmierz has been responsible for over 40 transactions totalling over 1.3 billion Euros.
As the Acquisition Director and Equity Partner in a retail fund based in Poland with Europa Capital, Mr. Kusmierz managed one of the largest transactions of 2007. He acquired 14 properties and later sold the portfolio. Further, in cooperation with the Blackstone Real Estate Group, MMG was responsible for transaction advisory, property management and leasing of high-quality Polish shopping malls of 250 000 m2 GLA, owned by King’s Street Retail, which included the successful 50 million Euro expansion of Magnolia Park in Wrocław, whereby MMG was the developer and leasing agent. MMG also partnered with UK based Marcol Group and US based Kravco Company. The latest development project in the MMG portfolio was Galeria Młociny, a prime retail complex of 70 000 m2 GLA, located in the Bielany district in Warsaw. The project was leased 60% and successfully sold to Echo Polska Properties and Echo Investment S.A. in March 2017 for 104.5 million Euros.
Master Management Group, under the leadership of Mr. Kusmierz, has been investing in commercial real estate and executing its own projects. Currently, MMG operates over 100 000 m2 of GLA in Poland including: Brama Mazur in Ełk, Galeria Niwa in Oświęcim and centers in: Poznań, Szczecin, Lubin, Kutno, Ciechanów, Piekary Śląskie and Józefosław (MMG Centers*). All galleries are “the first choice” shopping destinations in their regions with a proven track record in every aspect of management. Niwa and Brama Mazur were both developed by MMG and are award winning projects.
MMG is also an investor and developer of a mixed – use complex Hi Piotrkowska, being defined as the landmark building in the center of Łódź. The complex is located near the Public Transport Hub, accounted for 50 000 travellers daily.
Ewa Downie has been working in C&A since 2023 as Portfolio Manager CEE being responsible for making investment decision regarding 107 C&A stores in Poland, Czechia and Slovakia.
Ewa is leading Brand’s expansion in the dedicated region, overseeing new concept introduction and financial performance of the dedicated portfolio.
Ewa earned Master of Law degree at University of Wroclaw and started her real estate career as a lawyer in Rodamco Europe (currently part of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield), being involved in Galeria Mokotow re-letting and Zlote Tarasy project.
Later she joined JLL Poland where was she was focused on letting major shopping centers in Poland like Blue City in Warsaw, Forum Gdansk, Klif Warsaw, Galeria Jurajska in Czestochowa, Galeria Sfera in Bielsko and many more, as well as tenants advisory.
She worked also for Nhood, Via Outlets and Atrium Poland where she was involved in leasing and strategy decisions regarding dedicated portfolios.
In her free time Ewa is avid traveller, foodie and enthusiast of modern architecture and mixed-used schemes.
Dr. Dominik Wagner is an internationally active business lawyer with over 15 years of professional experience. As the Managing Partner at TIGGES Rechtsanwälte in Düsseldorf, Warsaw and Katowice, he specializes as a certified attorney in Commercial and Corporate Law as well as in International Business Law. Mr. Wagner has extensive experience in areas such as company formation, M&A, trade relations, international investment projects, and German-Polish business topics. He works closely with German, Polish, and international companies from various sectors, providing comprehensive support in business law matters, from company establishment and international expansion to contract negotiations and preparation. Dominik Wagner is currently President of the international law firm network ICLA and has been President of the International Business Law Commission in the international lawyers’ network AIJA for six years now. He completed his law studies at the Ruhr University in Bochum, where he also wrote a comparative law dissertation on foundation law. He subsequently pursued postgraduate Master of Laws studies at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Dominik Wagner places great emphasis on the economic and legal relations between Germany and Poland. As a European lawyer at the Bar Association in Katowice and a board member of the AHK Poland in Warsaw, he is deeply rooted in German-Polish economic and legal relations. Thanks to his fluent language skills in German, Polish, and English, he can overcome cultural and mental differences, ensuring effective communication.
Piotr is a professional with over 10 years of experience in both consulting and investment. Since 2020, he has specialized in the commercial real estate sector, particularly in retail. He has been a Member of the Supervisory Board at LPP S.A. since 2017 and also collaborated with UBM AG (Austria) in 2018. Throughout his career, Piotr has completed several significant investment and financing projects, including managing a portfolio of 7 retail projects with a total area of approximately 60,000 m² GLA. His notable projects include locations in Bolesławiec, Golub Dobrzyń, Sochaczew, Koszalin, Grodzisk Wielkopolski, Kępno, and Kłodzko. As part of his work with PURO Hotels, Piotr led key transactions, including the acquisition of a 30% stake in a Norwegian holding company worth and the purchase of plots for hotel projects in Warsaw, located at Canaletta 4 and Mariańska 5. Piotr holds a Master’s degree in Finance from IE Business School and has completed studies in Quantitative Methods at the Warsaw School of Economics.
Łukasz Komierowski is the visionary CEO and founder of Redkom Development. He is an engineer, graduate from the Faculty of Management at Warsaw Technical University. From 2001 to 2018 he was engaged in the family industrial business, spearheading new investments, including real estate (new developments and investment ventures). In the meantime, he has successfully managed BPRO Fastening, a CEE leading company in construction fastening systems, specializing in fastening for wood. He remains a board member of the Polish Association of Prefab Housing (SEDG).
He ventured into retail parks development and management, starting in Romania, and later establishing Redkom Development in Poland in 2019. Redkom has shifted focus to large-scale retail park projects, while still undertaking logistic and residential projects. With a keen eye for market trends and effectiveness of development process, Łukasz has built REDKOM Development into a dynamic and influential player in the sector.
Jan is an experienced real estate professional with comprehensive expertise spanning all stages of the industry, including agency, development, facility management, and major portfolio asset management. Currently, Jan oversees a diverse portfolio of office, retail, logistics, and hospitality assets across the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia, with a total value exceeding €1.5 billion.
Marcin is responsible for expansion of Castorama which is a leading DIY chain in Poland with over 100 stores and a part of Kingfisher Group – an international home improvement company with ~2,000 stores. Marcin has over 15 years of experience on property market in development, asset management and leasing of commercial properties.
I am the owner of a design and construction company ” Biuro projektowe Projektuj i Buduj Sp.zoo ” . We specialize in road and bridge design as well as construction supervision
I am the owner copmany SANTOS PARTNER where I give services for business development and professional networking as well partcipate as a partner in the projects
scope of activities :
Connecting investors and help build their business
business development services
supporting in acquiring non-bank and bank financing
international expansion for manufacturing companies
partnerships with Investment Funds, Developers
networking
sectors :
energy – I am the Official Partner of EDP Energy, a global leader in renewable energy, committed to providing sustainable and innovative energy solutions – photovoltaic systems, wind energy systems
Real Estate
Financing
Start ups – Venture Capital
International and local expansion
European Grants
ESG
Anton Grytsenko, Chief Operating Officer joined Newgate Investment in 2016. His key responsibilities and challenges are: design and implement business strategy and procedures, actively participate in every acquisition process and manage relationships with key tenants. NGI showed constant asset growth and one of the best portfolio parameters on the Polish market. Newgate Investment’s portfolio currently includes 31 retail schemes with a total GLA of more than 140,000 sqm. The occupancy rate of the retail spaces making up the company’s portfolio is nearly 100%.
Prior to his time at Newgate, Anton worked at Comfy, a leader of consumer electronics retail in Ukraine, as a Chief of TV/AV department, where he successfully implemented omnichannel solutions. He also spent nearly three years as a Project Manager at Out There Media, an international leader in Mobile Advertising, from 2011 to October 2012.
Marek Noetzel became Chief Operating Officer of NEPI Rockcastle, Central and Eastern Europe’s largest owner, operator and developer of shopping centers, in June 2022. He is responsible for the Company’s operations across eight countries and is a member of its Investment Committee. Prior to becoming COO, he was an Executive Director, responsible for the asset management of the Company’s properties in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania.
Since then, he has been responsible for bringing the operational management of both assets in house as well as continuing to maximise the performance of the company’s assets across the region.
Mr. Noetzel joined Rockcastle Global Real Estate in 2016, establishing the structure of the office in Poland and expanding it abroad before Rockcastle merged with NEPI in 2017. Mr Noetzel has been active in the Polish retail real estate market since 2002, gaining his professional experience at Cushman & Wakefield. As Head of the Retail Department, he was responsible for commercialization, development, asset management, investment, and financial consultancy services working for multiple international and national clients.
Tickets & Registration
Attending Main Awards Gala only – price per person.
Attending the Forum & CEO Networking plus the main Awards Gala – price per person.
Attending Main Awards Gala with a corporate table of (10)
Accomodation
This year’s awards event will be hosted at the
Intercontinental Hotel Warsaw.
ul.Emilii Plater 49
00 800 121 5820
We have invested a lot of time and expertise in creating a product that sets new standards in events. This multi-platform event will be a feat of new technology and promises to deliver all of the key aspects that our events have done for the past 20 years.
EuropaProperty has fast become the Number 1 Producer of business events in Europe, connecting people and companies, facilitating deals and helping business get done.
Good luck to all of the nominees!
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Information
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CRAIG SMITH
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