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.

Monika specializes in transaction and restructuring advisory. She has extensive experience in complex tax advisory services for clients from different economic sectors regarding issues concerning their ongoing business activities.

Monika has advised with respect to the tax consequences of conducting investment projects in Poland under the mergers and acquisitions transactions and preparing effective capital structures. She was involved in restructuring projects for clients operating in different market sectors.

She graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Białystok and completed post-graduate studies in “Managing Company Value” at the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH). She also studied economics at the Universita degli’ Studi dell’Insubria in Varese, Italy.

TEDi: Store Development Director Poland since 2023
ALDI: Head of Real Estate and Expansion Department 2021-2022
LIDL: Expansion Manager 2009-2020

Wolfgang has started his career as technician where he worked for ten years and has been responsible for water treatment plants. Afterwards more than two decades ago he joined Erste Group Bank AG which is heading the Austrian savings bank sector.

Here,  based in Erste`s Viennese Headquarter Wolfgang has gained various experience (retail, restructuring, origination) primarily in the Erste Group Commercial Real Estate Division where he is currently responsible for origination and structuring real estate transactions (office, retail, mixed-use, logistics) in Austria, Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. Erste Group manages a commercial real estate portfolio of more than EUR 14billion with an annual deal flow of more than EUR 2.5 billion, the regional focus including Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Croatia.

With over 25 years of experience in the CEE real estate markets, Tomasz Trzósło has a strong track record in working with all industry branches, including retail, office, industrial, hotel and residential sectors. Since early 2020, he takes on the role of CEO at EPP, the largest owner and asset manager of retail real estate in Poland in terms of GLA, with a portfolio of 35 projects formed by 29 shopping centres and 6 office complexes.
Before joining EPP, he worked for JLL for over 20 years, lastly as JLL Managing Director for Poland and Central Europe, responsible for company’s activities in the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia. He was also a Member of Legal & Compliance Board of Tetris design and construction business for EMEA. Prior to that, Tomasz ran the capital markets teams of JLL for both Poland and Central and Eastern Europe, and as such was involved in numerous transactions across the region, including portfolio and property disposals and acquisitions, fund raising and debt deals, or structured equity transactions.
Tomasz holds a master’s degree in Financial Accounting and Economics from the Cracow University of Economics, and has been certified in valuation and portfolio management from London’s City University Investment Property Forum.
His commitment to the business and passion for the industry are demonstrated by the membership in the Strategic Council of the Polish Council of Shopping Centres, as well as the representation of the company in the Polish Chamber of Commercial Real Estate and Employers of Poland.

Yoram Reshef is a graduate in economy and management from the University of Bar-Illan in Israel. He came to Poland from Israel in 1998, as the Director General of Asbud, a company with Israeli capital. In the years 1999-2002 he was responsible in the GTC group for the building and management of Galeria Mokotow, the first new generation shopping mall in Poland.

His next challenge was leading the Blue City Project, a shopping mall in Ochota – starting from June 2002, when he oversaw its construction, till today when he is the General Director and Vice President of the Board. Yoram Resheff has been distinguished many times with prestigious titles such as manager of the year.

Osman Cavusoglu is the General Manager of ACCO Fashion Retail Group Companies based in Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Morocco, Poland, and Romania. He is also a member of the Executive Board at BR Retail (BR Magazacilik) as responsible for the International Operations and Sales of AC&co.| Altınyıldız Classics.
He has a total of 20+ years professional experience, and he can effectively communicate in Turkish, English, and Russian.

Benoit Charles, CEO of Apsys Poland – an experienced manager with extensive management practice in the field of commercial real estate, in which he has been operating for over 17 years. In June 2016, he took up the position of CEO of Apsys to manage its business activity in Poland. Prior to that, he was responsible for development project of Immochan Group Int. In the years 2007 – 2013 he was the CEO of Immochan Poland. He has an excellent knowledge of the specific nature of the Polish shopping centers market. He is a graduate of commercial and tax law at Paris Sud, one of the largest and most reputed universities in France.

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.

Tomasz Sudoł is a Expansion Director responsible for development and asset management of Hebe in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Tomasz has 12 years of experience on the real estate market, previously working as a COO of Solar. Since 2016, he’s been successfully developing portfolio of Hebe`s stores, which currently amounts at 263 stores in Poland.

Tomasz is the graduate of Poznań University of Economics. He is also the graduate of the Executive Master of Business Administration organized in English jointly by Helsinki School of Economics and Poznań School of Banking.

Tatiana Spencer is in the real estate sector since 1996. Her work experience includes a position as Agency Director at King Sturge. For over 4 years she was responsible for leasing and land acquisition, managing a team of 16 agents. Her main clients were Helical, Makrum, Budizol, Rece, Nap Invest, Plaza, TriGranit, MLP and others.
Previously for over 9 years with JLL, heading a retail team for Poland, she advised many well known companies such as: GTC, Ikea, Neinver, King Cross, Carrefour, Multidevelopment, IIC, Echo Investment, and many others. The main projects she was involved in include Galeria Mokotów, Wola Park , Galeria Kazimierz, Galaxy Szczecin, Pasaż Grunwaldzki Wrocław, Factory Outlet, Sfera II Bielsko Biała, CH Marcelin Poznań, Carrefour Morena Gdańsk, CH Ogrody Elbląg, Wzorcownia Włocławek, Stary Browar II Poznań, Galeria Jurajska Częstochowa, Forum Koszalin, Sarni Stok B-Biała, Europa Centralna Gliwice, amongst others.
Currently is a partner at ASPENN and her main clients include ECC, Gemini, Multishop, Strus, RE, Blue City, Katharsis, Devin Investment, Apollo Rida, Skanska, Invest Komfort and others. Aspenn completed the following projects Galeria Siedlce, Ferio Wawer Warsaw, Galeria Jurowiecka Białystok , Nowa Stacja Pruszków, Gemini Park Tychy, Multishop Jarocin, Sochaczew, Suwałki and others.

Tatiana studied Architecture and graduated as an Urban Planner. She also holds an MBA degree from both the University of Illinois and the University of Warsaw.

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) and Deichmann Logistik Polska Sp. z o.o. (Poland).

I have been the owner of the RMC Retail consulting company for several years. As an independent expert, I advise on the development of companies such as MANGO, Nike, Foot Locker or Parfois on the Polish market. I also work for individual orders of various companies on the market.

I specialize in the development and optimization of franchise networks.

I started my professional career in the insurance and banking sector, for which I created a network of partner branches in Poland (Multibank – currently mBank).

In 2003, I started operating in the retail sector for the developer and owner of CH Wzorcownia. Later, for over 8 years, I worked for the Gdańsk-based LPP company (owner of the Reserved, Cropp, House, Mohito, H&Y and Esotiq brands), developing the chain of stores in Poland.

I got higher legal education at the University of Lodz. I obtained an additional specialization in EU economic law at U.I.A (Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen) in Belgium.

Currently Vice President of The Board at Closer Music www.closermusic.com the music driven unicorn company out of IMS SA.
Sebastian is a very experienced manager with many years of business experience in expansion, retail, franchising, wholesale management, and start-up projects.
During his professional career, he has broken through as an innovator, holding high positions at companies with an international reputation. For instance, he was a POA at PeerajBrands International SRL who held licensed brands such as Armani, Boggi Milano, and Swarovski. In addition, he was the CEO of SportsDelite, an exclusive partner of Skechers, where he developed monobrand stores in the Polish / Romanian market.
On top of all that, he led the development of new and local companies in European and Arab markets, such as Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Baltic States, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Tehran. For almost six years, he was responsible for the international and B2B expansion of the Kazar and Kazar Studio. He was successful in the growth and development of Freeport Retail UK in Germany and Rohleder Lumby Ltd. in Slovakia and Estonia. He collaborated with SJ International as Head of Lease for Tom Tailor & Tommy Hilfiger on the European FOC market. He pioneered various projects with brands such as SARAR and MaviJeans.

Jacek Wesołowski has almost 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, in the development of retail, office and residential facilities. His first successful investment project was an office building, Bank Własności Pracowniczej, in Gdańsk 1992, followed by the first such project in Poland, the Kliff Shopping Centre in Gdynia (1994), and in Warsaw (1998). Jacek Wesołowski’s successes include the development of Galeria Emka in Koszalin and 20 other local retail facilities constructed until 2008. For over 7 years, in the period 2008 – 2016, Jacek Wesołowski held the function of the Development Country Manager and member of the management board at Immofinanz Polska, where he developed the STOP SHOP and VIVO! trading brands, and also implemented commercial projects (Silesia City Center – phase two, Tarasy Zamkowe) and residential projects (RiverPark Poznań, Dębowe Tarasy).
From June 2016, a member of the management board at Trei Real Estate Polska, responsible for the development of the company in Poland and the brand of convenience retail parks – Vendo Park.
Jacek Wesołowski graduated from the Gdańsk University of Technology with MSc diploma in Civil Engineering, and from the University of Gdańsk with MSc diploma in economics, majoring in foreign trade. His hobbies include skiing.

Leon Goldwater is the managing partner of Real Estate Partners (REP), which is an investment vehicle with a focus on innovative retail and technology businesses within real estate. Leon has over 20 years of hands-on experience in building and managing companies within the media and marketing sector. Leon is the CEO of We Are Pop Up the world’s first marketplace and booking platform for temporary retail spaces with over 13 thousand pop-up shops created. he is the co-founder of Six and Sons a retail platform for sustainable brands and co-owner of BrandSpots, a full-service pop-up shop provider and innovative outdoor media agency. he also serves on the board for Europe Real Estate (REP), a European real estate media publishing and marketing company. Leon is also the co-founder of Locanian Foundation which is a platform which connects all physical shops to a single marketplace dedicated to local purchases with a sustainable last mile delivery solution.

Karolis Adlis joined W. P. Carey’s European Investments Team in 2015 and currently serves as Director. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at Jefferies Investment Bank as an Equity Derivatives Trader and prior as a Market Risk Analyst. Previously he also worked as a Credit Analyst at UBS Investment Bank.

Karolis has extensive experience structuring transactions in the Nordic and Central and Eastern European markets. Since joining the firm, he has played an instrumental role in more than €500 million of sale-leaseback, net lease and build-to-suit investments including a complex joint venture acquisition of a multi-jurisdictional mixed-asset property portfolio in Northern Europe.

Raimund Paetzmann is VP Corporate Real Estate at Zalando SE in Berlin and focuses on Real Estate Management, Construction, Architecture as well as all building-related employee services like Building Operations, Security, Office, Travel and Event Management. He joined Zalando in 2017 to support the growth of the company’s office, retail and logistics Real Estate portfolio.

Previously to joining Zalando he built and led the Amazon EMEA real estate team, which was involved in the strategic network planning and design of the European Fulfillment Network. He has pioneered  introducing new buildings and a new type of advanced e-commerce logistics network across Europe. He also contributed significantly to the new generation of European Fulfillment Warehouse types. Since June 2018, he has also been Deputy Chairman of the Logistics Real Estate Committee of the German Property Federation ZIA.

Founder and CEO of multiple businesses, including top brands as Mobia, Twister Fun Park, Twister Arcade, CINE&PLAY. 25+ years of experience on successful managing in CEE market, covering all of the best locations in shopping malls in Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Bosnia and Serbia. Companies` motto include Shopping&Fun starts with us! Mobia is already recognizable smart accessories brand, exclusive importer and distributor of top brands smart accessories, such as renowned fashion brands. With its 23 locations and franchising business, Mobia is the largest and fastest growing chain of stores in smart accessories and entertainment world.

Artur Kazienko, CEO of Kazar Group Sp. z o.o. Vice-president of the Polish Trade and Services Employers’ Association.

Entrepreneur and fashion industry expert with nearly 30 years of experience in the field, a specialist in negotiations and strategic management. He has worked in the clothing industry for his entire professional life and was one of the founders of Kazar in 1990. Appointed CEO of Kazar Group Sp. z o.o. in 2009. The author of Kazar’s success as a brand in Poland and abroad, under his management the company has become an industry leader and has won many prestigious awards, including Business Gazelles, Superbrands, Fashion Retailer of the Year or Reliable Employer of the Year. Co-founder of the  Polish Trade and Services Employers’ Association joined by over 150 companies operating on the Polish market, the organisation’s mission is to ensure a safe future for domestic business.

Advertising and marketing executive manager with more than 18 years of experience in the industry. Most recently, he managed the Initiative media agency, where he had the pleasure of working for brands such as Orange, Carlsber, LEGO, BMW and Rossmann. Currently, he is a partner at Datamasters, an online marketing agency specializing in precisely targeted campaigns based on mobile network operator data. Since last year, business partner of Magdalena Bogulak and co-owner of Sharley Hair Clinic in Warsaw.

Agnieszka Skrybant-Jaworska joined KappAhl team in 2007, contributing since then to company’s success, holding different positions in sales and development. In 2017 she became Managing Director of Polish organization.

Agnieszka has more than 20 years’ experience in retail industry with special focus on fashion. Her current duties concentrate on local expansion and strategic development of two brands: KappAhl and Newbie.

Agnieszka is graduate of Wroclaw University, Faculty of Political Science, privately she is a passionate bridge player.

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.

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.

Murat has more then 18 years experience at International Retail Expansion and FMCG operations. Currently, with many new market entries in Europe, CIS countries and the Middle East he is  responsible for Penti’s International Operations covering more than 200 stores in 36 different countries, both in direct investments and in franchise markets.

Katarzyna Myjak, lease manager at H&M Group and a part of the Expansion Team for Region East Europe (9 markets); has joined H&M in 2013 and from 2018 is responsible for the expansion of H&M Brand as well as Portfolio Brands: COS, & Other Stories, Weekday, Monki, Arket.

Katarzyna is a graduate of SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Faculty Management with a focus on commercial real estate and lately, she also completed the Negotiation Mastery program at Harvard Business School online.

Georg Blaschke is an educated banker and holds a university degree in business administration. He has over 20 years of experience in real estate finance in USA, UK, France, Benelux and CEE. At professional posts in London, New York and Frankfurt he has been responsible for loan origination, credit management and business development. Since 2010 he is responsible for Real Estate Finance in Poland at Helaba and has originated and underwritten financings of about EUR 5.0 billion.

Dr. Angelus Bernreuther is Head of Investor Relationship Management at Kaufland Stiftung & Co. KG. Kaufland is one of the leading international grocery retailers, running more than 1,350 hypermarkets in eight countries. Prior to joining Kaufland he was with BBE Retail Consulting, responsible for the international business development. For more than 20 years he is an experienced consultant, researcher, property and business developer in the retail real estate industry. He holds academic degrees from the University of Bayreuth and EIPOS Dresden. He is a member of numerous organisations, speaker at leading conferences and publishes regularly about trends in the retail business. His philosophy for life: It’s all about people, relations and trust.

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.

Tomasz Ciąpała is an entrepreneur and investor. He was 26 when he founded the Lancerto brand. Under his management, the company Lancerto S.A. has become a leading entity in men’s wear segment. The company has recently acquired one of the oldest fashion brands, Próchnik 1948. His company has been awarded many times including by Forbes, Best Managed Company 2022 by Deloitte and Superbrands. He is an investor and Board member in number of companies.

Tomasz is alumni of INSEAD, Grenoble Graduate School of Business and holds double degree from WSB-NLU & National Louis University of Chicago.

Thomas Reichenauer founded in 2011 with Gerhard Graf the ROS Retail Outlet Shopping
GmbH, headquartered in Vienna. ROS develops, manages and operates designer outlets
and innovative outlet shopping concepts across Europe.
Thomas Reichenauer started his retail career at the leading Austrian sports retailer
Austrian Hervis Sport & Fashion Group. After an interim stop as Marketing Manager at
AGM Cash & Carry markets, he started his outlet career as Retail Manager at the
Designer Outlet Parndorf in 1999. Under his guidance as Centre Manager from 2002, the
Designer Outlet Parndorf became one of the most successful outlet centres in Europe.
From 2008, Thomas Reichenauer was promoted as Country Manager and steered the
project development of the Designer Outlet Salzburg, which he opened very successfully
in 2009. He is recognized keynote speaker in the European outlet industry and board
member of various associations.
ROS established itself in the last decade among the top ten of Europe’s leading outlet
operators. ROS operates currently eleven outlet centres in Poland, Germany, Hungary,
Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Spain and has further new developments in the pipeline. Thomas
Reichenauer is very pleased with the recognition of ROS as modern, innovative and
growing operator in the European outlet market as well as one of the best, which is
mastering the current challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.

Entrepreneur with a background in biochemistry, passionate about regenerative economics and new business models operating at the intersection between nature and new technologies. Founded Viti Vinci, a scent tailoring company based in Palma de Mallorca specialized in designing wild-crafted and handmade fine fragrances with mood-enhancing capabilities. Currently impulsing a new regenerative economics incubator along with and agronomic hub that seek to unlock new potentials for consumers, nature and society.

Described once as “your International nomad”, I was born in Cambridge (UK). Traveling from a young age with my parents, I found a love for blending into different countries and languages.

Attending the much sought Instituto Marangoni Fashion school, I graduated with a degree in Fashion Styling, and then followed my passion by working with High-End Magazines, Celebrities, Designers and well known Fashion Houses such as Christians Dior, Givenchy, Aline Ocho, Adidas, Nike, Balenciaga, Rick Owens, Emporio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, Modus Mensus, Numero. I also qualified as a Personal Shopper and Image Consultant in Switzerland to dig deeper into body image and colour matching.

Has decided through pandemic 2022 to give a whole viral pivot into the online space with branding to help the multicultural millennials build a brand for themselves, turning their pain into purpose through social media and collaboration.

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.

Chris Igwe is one of the world’s leading authorities on global retail and highly sought after for his passionate views, deep knowledge, and great insights.

Based in Paris, he is special advisor to global brands, owners, and investors on strategic matters at his own consultancy firm, Chris Igwe International. He is also Managing Partner at More Or Less, a firm which represents exclusively tenants in their portfolio and lease-related problems.

Chris is a past Co-Chair of the ULI (Urban Land Institute) Europe Retail and Entertainment Council and is a member of the European leadership of ULI as a Global Governing Trustee.

After 10 year’s successful career as a Civil Engineer, involved in iconic award-winning projects, Chris joined Foot Locker Europe as Head of Real Estate, later joining Gap to head up European Real Estate. He then become Managing Director Europe for ICSC, and later, Senior Director EMEA and Head of Retail, France at CBRE.

Retail clients have included 7 For All Mankind, Aesop, Costco, Disney, Farrow & Ball, Fossil, Hard Rock Café, Michael Kors, Nike, Sunglass Hut, Swarovski, TUMI, Vapiano.

Landlord clients have included AEW, Apsys, Deutsche Bank, Eurodisney, FREO, Grosvenor, Inter Ikea, Sonae Sierra, Value Retail, Unibail Rodamco.

Chris is a renown international keynote speaker, and a long-standing Conference Master of Ceremony (2011 – 2022) for MAPIC, the world’s leading retail exhibition and conference. He has also lectured for various schools, across Europe, in Cairo, and for Abu Dhabi Paris Sorbonne University. He is a Chartered Civil Engineer, holds a BSc in Civil Engineering and an MSc in Geotechnical Engineering.   

Chris was recognised by his peers as a recipient of the “2014 ICSC Award for Outstanding Service to the Research Community”. He is regularly quoted in retail trade press.

Chris is co-author of: “Secrets of Working Across Five Continents: Thriving Through the Power of Cultural Diversity” where he focuses on sharing insights into Visionary & Authentic Leadership.

Chris is multi-lingual and enjoys being an Executive Coach and Mentor.

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.

Agata Sekuła joined EPP in March 2021 as Board Member responsible for Divestment &
Investment. Currently Agata also supervise the asset management area of EPP. She has over
24 years of investment advisory experience in the retail sector. Before joining EPP she
worked for JLL for 22 years, most recently as Vice President of the Management Board and
Head of the Capital Markets team in Poland.
During her career, Agata Sekuła has advised in the largest and most important transactions
involving leading Polish retail properties, such as Chariot portfolio (28 retail locations sold for
EUR 1 billion by the consortium of Apollo-Rida, Ares and AXA), Atrium European Real Estate
portfolio (Atrium Felicity in Lublin and Atrium Koszalin shopping centres, and Tyrion
portfolio), flagship shopping centres: Galeria Katowicka and Silesia City Center both located
in Katowice, Manufaktura in Łódź, Stary Browar in Poznań, Magnolia Park in Wrocław,
Promenada in Warsaw, and many others.
Agata Sekuła graduated from Law and Administration faculty at the University of Warsaw.
She also has qualifications in property valuation confirmed by the diploma 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 provided
by the Cambridge International Land Institute and City University Business School.

Taylan Kırali graduated from Istanbul University in 2004, which was later followed by a Master of Science in Marketing diploma by University of Oxford’s Said Business School. Mr. Kırali started his career journey in the UK and later on returned to Turkey as International Expansion and Lease Manager at Flo Shoes in 2012. From 2016 to 2018, Mr. Kırali worked as the Director of Investment & Expansion at Collezione. Then, through 2018 to 2020, he was positioned as Head of International Retail at AVVA. Ever since 2020, Mr. Kırali has been in the Kiğılı International Sales Department. Currently, Mr. Kırali is the International Operations Director.

Maciej Podwojski has 14 years of international retail experience that he has gained in the UK, Netherlands, Germany and recently CEE where he is currently head of sales

• Over 16 years experience leading fast casual, QSR and casual dining restaurants as CEO, President and CFO in both Europe and the USA.
• A passion for “telling the story”: presenting strategy, analysis and results to management, employees and Boards of Directors. 
• CEO Vapiano and Love & Food Restaurant Holding with over 200 stores in 30 countries.
• Board member Burger King Germany with over 725 stores.
• 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.
• As CFO, co-led the AmRest IPO in 2005, the largest independent restaurant operator in CEE and the first foreign company to list on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.  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 of Black-eyed Pea Colorado casual dining restaurants from 2008 to 2016. Led the purchase and turnaround of the 10 store chain in Colorado, USA. 

Think Big…Always be Curious…Build Culture…Develop Great People…Reward Performance

Started in 2002 as an agent, promoted to the position of Associate and eventually Partner and the Head of the retail department. Responsible for consulting and leasing of various retail developments in Poland (Forum Gliwice, Agora Bytom, Galeria Katowicka, IKEA Gdansk, Carrefour Bielawy Torun, Forum Gdansk, Galeria Ostrow Wielkopolski) for multinational and local clients: Braaten + Pedersen, Multi Development, IKEA, Neinver, Carrefour.

Managing team of agents and consultants. Main responsibilities: preparing leasing and marketing strategy; tenant mix; promoting project during the various retail fair; commercialization; supporting tenants expansion cross border. As Associate and Partner – responsible for team management, business development (identifying new clients and opportunities), and liaison with senior management of C&W.

Responsible for setting up a team in Warsaw and developing business from the beginning. First in Poland and then outside after the board decided to expand further.

Managing assets/leasing/development of the portfolio: 5 countries and 23 shopping centers in Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary (delivering around 150 mil EUR of NOI per year; valued at 2.8 b EUR). Responsible for continuous improvement and tracking of shopping centers KPIs, identifying and executing asset management initiatives/ensuring an increase of NOI of the portfolio.

Preparation and execution of CAPEX/OPEX/MAREX budgets. Setting up management of new projects developed or bought and everyday operational management of offices.

Responsible for the operational management of the offices in PL, CZ, SK, LT, and HU (over 70 employees). As an Investment Committee Member involved in acquisitions/expansion strategy. Preparing, discussing for approval of investments proposals.

Reporting to the Board of Directors on operational matters (KPIs, developments) every quarter; involved in annual and semi-annual investors presentations and meetings (results + operational performance). Participating in roadshows with investors when raising capital for the company.

Serkan Karataş, was born in 1986 in Gaziantep, Turkey. He is holding a degree of business administration and has been working in the retail sector since 2010. He started his career at the textile retailer DeFacto and worked for 8 years, then continued his career with the Global Expansion and Leasing Manager in FLO Shoes  and finally became the Morocco country manager of Flo Shoes and Instreet brands. After 5 years of FLO experience, he started to work as Global Expansion, Leasing and Business Development Manager at ACCO Fashion in 2023 in Berlin. In this role,  While he is involved in the global expansion strategy of AC&co. and  Levent Börek brands, he also takes an active role in the North African expansion strategy of Brooks Brothers, Lee & Wrangler brands.

Stefan’s current position is Lead Real Estate Management at C&A in charge of the property management for nine countries covering CEE, Austria and Switzerland. He started his retail career more than 25 years ago at OBI Group Holding. After different positions at MK-Illumination, Takko Fashion and KiK in Real Estate, Business Development and as Managing Director Stefan joined C&A in 2021. He is based in Vienna and supports C&A’s development and transformation of the store fleet.