URW recruits Hammerson leasing director

Shopping centre owner Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield has hired Hammerson’s UK leasing director to lead its leasing team across the UK and Italy. Kate Orwin will join the landlord as leasing director in February, when she will be tasked with bringing new brands to Westfield shopping centres in both countries. Orwin worked at Hammerson for nearly 18 years, having joined in 2003 as assistant director for retail asset management. She became head of portfolio leasing at Hammerson in 2015, before being promoted to UK leasing director in 2018. She will replace URW’s current leasing director Keith Mabbett, who moves into a senior advisory role for business development. Scott Parsons, URW regional managing director for UK and Italy, said: “Kate brings with her 20 years of industry experience across flagship destinations and we look forward to welcoming her on board.    “Now more than ever it’s important that we continue to bring the best experiences to our customers, and Kate’s breadth of experience will help ensure that Westfield centres continue to attract the best and newest brands.” Orwin said: “2021 will be a challenging but exciting year and I’m looking forward to bringing my 20 years of experience in the industry to make it a success.” It comes as the sector battles through a pandemic-induced downturn, with URW having failed to get a €3.5bn (£3.1bn) equity issue past shareholders last month. At group level URW promoted Fabrice Mouchel to group chief financial officer earlier this week, who will replace Jaap Tonckens in the job in January next year.