Atkins will remain in position until Spring 2021
Following a difficult period for the shopping centre giant, after the recent fall-through of a £400m deal to sell seven retail parks to Orion and the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, Hammerson CEO David Atkins has announced he will be stepping down from his post early next year.
Atkins, who first jouned Hammerson in 1998 and was eventually promoted to CEO in 2009, will remain in his current position until Spring 2021, giving the property company time to find his replacement.
On his resignation, Atkins said: “It has been a privilege to have led Hammerson for over ten years and I am proud of the many achievements and the incredible colleagues I have worked with. The current environment, exacerbated by the impact of Covid 19, is undoubtedly the most challenging we have faced as a business. I feel now is the right time to search for a new chief executive, a person who can not only lead the business as we emerge from this period, but also into its next chapter”.
David Tyler, chairman, also commented: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank David for his enormous commitment in leading Hammerson during the past decade. He has led the Company with ambition, passion and integrity, creating a culture that will live far beyond his time. He has developed Hammerson significantly through the growth of our premium outlets business, the geographical diversification of our portfolio, our market leading sustainability framework and the establishment of our City Quarters strategy. I look forward to continuing to work closely with him until a successor is appointed.”
