Ingka Centres announces appointment of new Managing Director
Leiden, September 29,
2020 – Ingka Centres, part of the Ingka
Group, today announced the appointment of Cindy Andersen as new Managing
Director from February 2021. Andersen joins from Inter IKEA Group and will act as Managing Director
designate with immediate effect.
Cindy
joins Ingka Centres at what is arguably the most exciting time in the company’s
history, as it invests €7.3bn (approximately $8.6bn) to transform its business
in response to the changing retail environment. This includes investing in
new urban projects, upgrading its existing portfolio, sustainable offerings,
and digital retail initiatives for a more omnichannel world.
Cindy has
over 15 years of leadership experience in value chain, range & product
development, sales and commercial activities. She has held various positions at
IKEA of Sweden – part of Inter IKEA Group – since 2008, where her last position
was Global Business Area Manager for one of the key business areas. Prior to
joining Inter IKEA Group Cindy had various position within A.P. Moller-Maersk
group in China and Sweden.
Gerard Groener, Ingka
Centres Managing Director, commented: “I’m delighted to hand over to Cindy and
believe her experience, strategic vision, authentic leadership and strong
passion for people will bring significant value. Her track record of
achievement for IKEA will support ever greater collaboration between the retail
and real estate sides of our business as we craft community focused Meeting
Places. I look forward to working with her during our handover period, and as a
special advisor further into the future.”
Gerard
will formally step down as Managing Director in February 2021 and after
that, he will continue to act as a senior advisor to Ingka Centres, providing
valuable insight and expertise.
Speaking about her
new role Cindy Andersen said: “Gerard is an exceptional strategist and leader,
and I am honoured to be following in his footsteps. Over the last decade
physical retail has perhaps witnessed more rapid change than any other business
sector. But what is clear is that retail is adaptable, and how ever the future
looks people will always want places where they can meet and gather. Together
with my colleagues, my focus will be on creating inspiring places that
customers truly value, that benefit their communities, and from where our
tenants businesses can grow.” Cindy is passionate
about diversity and equal opportunities and she is committed to actively
promote these causes across the industry.
Jesper Brodin CEO of Ingka Group commented: “44 Ingka
Centres meeting places are integrated with IKEA stores and offer millions of
people a place to meet, and we thank Gerard
for the fantastic contribution he has made over the last five
years. He is a values-driven leader with a clear focus on creating a great
customer experience and has been setting us up for long term success. We are
really happy that Gerard will remain involved with the business as a senior
advisor”.
“We also welcome Cindy, who will lead the company
into an exciting period ahead as we create many more inspiring meeting places
in new locations and with new formats. Cindy’s vision, long experience of IKEA
and passion for customers makes her the right person to lead and continue to
make our Ingka Centres even better for both people and planet,” he continued.
Gerard has been
instrumental in devising and implementing Ingka Centres transformative
strategy. Working to make sure the offer at its Meeting Places will remain
relevant long into the future and go far beyond shopping. Most recently he
oversaw Ingka Centres acquisition of Kings Mall in London and the 6x6 building
in San Francisco, where IKEA anchored smaller format city malls will be created
to align with urbanization trends, sustainability agenda and changing customer
behaviour.
Ingka
Centres is evaluating opportunities within 40 major cities across Europe,
Russia, North America, Asia and Oceania to introduce its new
vibrant, urban destinations – a task Cindy will lead on going
forward. She will also lead on Ingka Centres people and planet positive
strategy to create Meeting Places that not only focus on customer experience
and community needs, but also help millions of people live more healthy,
sustainable lives by providing easy access to inspiring solutions that make a
difference.
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