- What LGIM creating new role of retail and ‘futuring’
- Why In response to structural changes in the retail sector
- What next Denizer Ibrahim joining from BNP Paribas RE
LGIM Real Assets has created a new role head of retail and futuring role for Denizer Ibrahim in response to the structural changes occurring in the sector.
A designer and urbanist by background, Ibrahim joins from BNP Paribas Real Estate where he was head of commercial placemaking and masterplanning. Prior to that, he was at Appear Here and the London School of Economics Cities Programme.
The appointment is in response to the ongoing changes in retail with e-commerce now accounting for 20% of sales and lease lengths continuing to decrease, now sitting at seven years. Ibrahim has extensive experience in retail and rebuilding the urban environment for the future.
Michael Barrie, head of fund management at LGIM Real Assets, said: “Denz is an energetic and imaginative individual and we are very excited to be welcoming him to the team to apply his insight into placemaking to our strategy. We aim to be the owner of choice, with a key vision to enhance and maximise the experience of our customer occupiers whilst continuing to maximise the performance of our investment funds.
“As owners we need to adopt a brave new approach to retail, curating environments which re-connect people with place. We must move from being the ‘librarians’ of space; collecting rent, letting shops and property managing, to doing this but also taking up the role of the ‘editor’ to ensure the content is relevant and responding to the changing consumer expectations of tomorrow. The process of creating great retail places today goes far beyond the physicality of real estate and architecture. Denz joins a great team of individuals keen to embrace this challenge.”
Andy Martin, CEO, BNP Paribas Real Estate UK, added: “Denz has been an important part of our move into placemaking where he led the team. This is an important part of our market development so naturally I am sorry to see him leave but we wish him well at Legal & General.”