Ikea’s Ingka Centres has appointed Cindy Anderson as managing director.
Anderson has joined from Inter Ikea Group after nearly four years as global business area manager for the Ikea company.
She will act as managing director designate with immediate effect, with current MD Gerard Groener to formally leave his role in February 2021. Groener will continue as a senior adviser to Ingka Centres.
Anderson will be responsible for driving the business as it invests €7.3bn (£6.7bn) to transform in response to the changing retail environment, with new urban projects as well as upgrades to its existing portfolio.
Earlier this year, Ingka Centres agreed its first UK acquisition with a £170m deal to buy the Kings Mall shopping centre in Hammersmith, W6, from the Schroder UK Real Estate Fund.
Anderson will lead Ingka’s expansion as it evaluates opportunities in 40 major cities across Europe, Russia, North America, Asia and Oceania.
Groener said: “Her track record of achievement for Ikea will support ever greater collaboration between the retail and real estate sides of our business as we craft community-focused meeting places.”
Anderson added: “Over the past decade, physical retail has perhaps witnessed more rapid change than any other business sector. But what is clear is that retail is adaptable, and however the future looks people will always want places where they can meet and gather.”
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