URW names Kathleen Verelst as Chief Investment Officer to spearhead strategic roadmap.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has announced the appointment of Kathleen Verelst as its new chief investment officer, effective January 1, 2026. In addition to her new role, Verelst will also join the Group's Management Board. The appointment follows a recommendation by the Governance Committee and coincides with URW’s preparation and implementation of its strategic roadmap for the 2025-2028 period.

URW holds a prominent position as one of Europe's leading commercial real estate developers and operators. The Group's portfolio consists of 66 shopping centres across 11 countries, including 40 properties under the well-known Westfield brand, with a total valuation of €49 billion. Beyond its core operations, URW is committed to urban development and sustainability projects under its "Better Places" plan, and its shares are listed on Euronext Paris.

Kathleen Verelst brings over three decades of experience in the real estate and finance sectors to her new position. Her extensive career includes previous roles at the investment bank Morgan Stanley and various law firms in New York. From 2021 to 2024, she served as a senior adviser to URW, where she played a crucial role in the Group's financial restructuring efforts. During this time, she helped reduce URW's debt by overseeing the successful disposal of 17 assets in the US, generating $3.3 billion in proceeds.

In her new capacity as CIO, Verelst will succeed Vincent Rouget, who is set to become chairman of the Management Board in 2026. Verelst's responsibilities will include formulating the Group's investment policy, managing capital allocation, overseeing strategic projects throughout the Westfield portfolio, and identifying new growth opportunities. A key part of her mandate will be to drive development through capital-light projects and strategic co-investments.

URW's management underscored that Verelst's international experience and deep understanding of the Group's operations make her a vital asset for executing the 2025-2028 roadmap. Her expertise across real estate, finance, and complex operations is expected to significantly strengthen the Group's ability to continue its ongoing transformation and achieve its strategic objectives.