Hammerson chief executive Rita-Rose Gagné will retire from her role in 2026, concluding a five-year tenure at the helm of the property group.
Gagné will remain with Hammerson for the next 12 months to ensure a smooth leadership transition, as the company begins the search for her successor.
Before joining Hammerson, Gagné was president of the growth markets division at Ivanhoé Cambridge, where she oversaw a multi-billion-pound real estate portfolio across Asia and Latin America.
She previously served in various senior roles at the Canadian pension fund’s global real estate arm. Earlier in her career, Gagné held positions at global real estate firms and advisory firms in Canada.
Gagné said: “In 2026 I will have been with Hammerson for an incredible five years, during which time I have been privileged to work with our talented teams to transform our culture, balance sheet and portfolio, returning the business to growth.
“We are successfully executing a clear growth strategy and have tremendous momentum for sustainable long-term value creation. With the business in great shape, a strong team, and significant opportunities ahead, it is an exciting time for Hammerson and the right time for me to pass on the baton.”
Robert Noel, chair of Hammerson, praised Gagné for her “outstanding leadership and immense contribution” since joining the company in November 2020.
“During this time, she has driven a substantial turnaround, transforming and strengthening Hammerson into the largest UK-listed, pure-play owner and manager of prime retail and leisure anchored city destinations,” he said. “The company is now well positioned to continue to deliver growth and value creation.”
Photo by Louise Haywood-Schiefer
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