Paris-listed REIT Gecina has appointed a new CEO as of April 2022, when the mandate of current CEO, Meka Brunel, is set to expire.
Beñat Ortega will take over the CEO role, following a unanimous meeting of the firm's board of directors.
41-year-old Ortega is currently a member of the executive board, chief operating officer and a corporate officer with Klépierre.
He joined Klépierre in 2012 and has led its operational activities since then, including refocusing its portfolio around 120 leading shopping malls and an ambitious value creation and cash flow growth strategy.
Ortega previously spent nine years in Paris with the office teams of the listed group Unibail-Rodamco.
Jérôme Brunel, Gecina's chairman of the board of directors said: 'Following a rigorous selection process led by the governance, appointments and compensation committee, the appointment of Beñat Ortega, a leading executive, will enable Gecina to consolidate and accelerate its strategy, at a time when offices and residential properties are set to reinvent themselves as sustainable living spaces.'
He added: 'On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to pay tribute to the outstanding work accomplished by Méka Brunel, who, since being appointed in 2017, has rolled out a deep transformation at Gecina, including the acquisition of Eurosic in 2017, the development of its residential business and the acceleration of the group’s environmental and societal actions. Under her leadership, Gecina has become Europe’s number one office real estate group.'
Said Ortega: 'I am proud and delighted to be joining Gecina. I will additionally be focusing on pursuing and accelerating the initiatives launched during the last few years in terms of corporate social responsibility, from gender equality to decarbonization. With the YouFirst brand, Gecina will be able to continue innovating to effectively serve its clients, while offering them a richer experience in its living spaces.'
Added Brunel: 'I am delighted with the appointment of Beñat Ortega as Gecina’s chief executive officer following the end of my term of office. An experienced and renowned real estate industry professional, he will successfully continue building on the strategy rolled out since my arrival in 2017, supported by the Group’s outstanding teams.'
