Privately-owned real estate investment manager Redevco has expanded its research & strategy (R&S) department.
Brigit Gerritse has been named as head of research & strategy and Arafat Soliman appointed to research & strategy manager. The two appointments are effective from 1 September and 5 September, respectively.
The departments research & strategy together, with innovation and sustainability, are all part of the team of Marrit Laning, who was appointed to the Redevco board as chief strategy & innovation officer in January 2022.
Said Laning: 'At Redevco we are committed to having a positive impact on our urban environment and firmly believe that continuous research innovation is vital to advancing our sustainability agenda.
'We must understand what cities need in the future to be able to make them liveable and sustainable. The new members of our R&S team will provide strategic guidance and expand Redevco’s inhouse research capabilities.
'This will also help deepen our knowledge of the latest technologies as part of our effort to lead the transformation to net zero carbon buildings and a circular economy. I am delighted to welcome Brigit and Arafat who are both well positioned for the job and greatly experienced.'
Gerritse has joined Redevco from ULI Benelux where she held the position of executive director after a role managing Kern, formerly known as the Dutch Council of Shopping Centers (NRW). Arafat Soliman previously held the position of research manager at London-based Landsec.
Their appointments follow the recent addition of Martijn Horsman as sustainable development manager to the sustainability team.
Earlier this year, Redevco also appointed Elsbeth Quispel in the newly created role of head of innovation to drive the company’s proptech strategy and broader innovation journey.
Said Gerritse: 'The ‘Great Retail Reset’ marks the transition to vibrant, mixed-use centres that promote social cohesion through a more flexible holistic approach to planning, investment, and development.
'Redevco has done pioneering work with its City Attractiveness Research, and I look forward to building on that solid foundation which has helped the company optimise the value of the portfolios it manages, both from financial and ESG perspectives, through a disciplined research-driven approach.
'This focus on research and innovation will help us contribute to the evolution of an urban environment that can stand the test of time, whatever the shape of the future digital economy.'
Added Soliman: 'Fact-based analysis is key to developing trust and credibility with the company’s stakeholders and Redevco has a good track record on that front.
'I am joining at a pivotal time in the journey to a net zero carbon environment and am excited at the prospect of tapping into the latest innovation and technology initiatives to reach that goal and stress-testing our strategy at every new turn.'
