MAPIC interview: In conversation with Dounia Ougazzaden, Business Development Manager, Palais des Thés
Female boardroom representation continues to develop within the major retail and retail property groups, although Europe continues to lag North America and Asia in diversity. As International Women's Day approaches, for the fourth year running MAPIC highlights some of the leading female executives driving business with purpose.Our fourth annual showcase of senior female leaders includes those who are having a profound impact on the physical retail environment and leading the next generation of destinations and investment.While the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is clear in terms of creating diverse leadership, the list as ever continues to be a reminder that there is still a very long way to in terms of ensuring better leadership representation across the BAME community in both retail and real estate.Our list will no doubt cause many of you to think of others we may have included, so please do let us know who you think we should feature in future articles.
The new retail equation: 24 for 2024
Cindy Andersen, managing director, Ingka Centres
Ingka Centres has reinvested in real estate after the first urban Livat format opened in Hammersmith, London. Since then there have been further projects in San Francisco, Toronto, Paris and Brighton, plus Indian and Chinese projects. as it mixes between major lifestyle centres and downtown formats. Andersen – a long-time IKEA executive and frequent MAPIC speaker – has constantly reaffirmed the company’s commitment to physical shopping, while the Ingka Group has invested heavily in sustainability across its businesses.
Giny Boer, CEO, C&A Europe
Giny Boer joined C&A Europe as CEO in January 2021, replacing Edward Brenninkmeijer, the outgoing CEO of C&A Europe and CEO of C&A, who stepped down from both roles on 31 December 2020. Boer says she is passionate about supporting women in leadership positions, “sharing the lessons I learned and working towards a future in which leadership is never a question of gender, but solely about talent and delivering results”. Birgit Kretschmer, CFO, plus COO Minette Bellingan, Betty KieB, chief communications officer, and Fareen Abdullah, chief people & culture officer, are also on the board.
Dee Corsi, chief executive, NWEC
Dee Corsi took over as head of London West End BID, NWEC, in September 2022 and has had a big role on her hands to help reinvigorate the UK capital, notably Oxford Street. NWEC has been heavily involved in a range of improvement projects and in lobbying for tax-free status to be reinstated for goods bought by foreign nationals.
Helen Dickinson, CEO, British Retail Consortium
Helen Dickinson is a well-known lobbyist for UK retail and was appointed as the chief executive of the BRC in 2012. Dickinson leads the team and sets the strategic direction of the BRC, which has more than 5,000 members, which make up around 60% of the UK’s retail market share.