Since January 1, 2021, Jean-Marie Tritant has taken over as president of the large real estate group, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, succeeding Christophe Cuvillier. Focus on the career of one of the rare CAC40 CEOs who doesn’t come from a Parisian!
The story of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, the world’s leading commercial real estate group
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) was founded in 1968 and has more than 3,600 employees worldwide. It is the first publicly listed commercial real estate group in the world. Its market valuation stood at 58.3 billion euros last September. It is the leading global designer and operator of destination shopping centers. It is in fact specialized in the promotion of large shopping centers present in European cities, the most dynamic American companies as well as in large office buildings and in convention centers in the Paris region.
In 2007, Unibail merged with Rodamco Europe. The two companies formed Unibail-Rodamco. In 2018, the group acquired Westfield Corporation and became Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. This association strengthens the positioning of companies in the real estate sector.
Following this major transformation, URW’s growth has continued to increase and generate new rental income. The company has an unparalleled transatlantic platform giving it a competitive advantage: that of having access to the largest metropolises in Europe and the United States. The group now owns 90 shopping centers in 12 countries, including 55 “flagships”. “Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield builds on Unibail-Rodamco’s recognized leadership in Europe and its operational excellence, as well as Westfield’s development and investment expertise and the strength of its brand. As the leading creator and global operator of destination shopping centers, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is the essential partner for retailers and brands in Europe and the largest American cities. proudly declares Christophe Cuvillier.
In France, the company owns numerous shopping centers such as Le Forum des Halles (Paris), Les 4 Temps (La Défense), La Part-Dieu (Lyon), Euralille (Lille), but also exhibition or cultural spaces such as the Palais des Congrès de Paris or Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
The journey of Jean-Marie Tritant, new CEO of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Jean-Marie Tritant is a graduate of Burgundy School of Businessand Paris Sorbonne University in real estate business. This is a qualification recognized by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
In 1997, he joined Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield as project manager. For more than 20 years, he held several strategic positions within the group. He rose from project director in the office division to Asset Manager and Director of Asset Management. In 2007, he moved to general management of the office division.
In 2012, he held the position of general manager of shopping centers and offices in France. A year later, he was appointed general manager of operations. In June 2018, he took over as president of the US subsidiary, following the acquisition of Westfield by the real estate company.
It is therefore on January 1, 2021 that Jean-Marie Tritant takes over and takes over as head of the company. He declares: “URW is an exceptional company that I joined more than 20 years ago and which is a leader in its sector. I know that I can count on the group’s teams, their talent and their energy. Thanks to them, we will be able to build on the future success of the group. I would like to salute the hard work accomplished by Christophe Cuvillier at the head of URW since 2013 and his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition starting today. » A new era is about to begin at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.
Jean-Marie Tritant also sold his 33,660 shares at a unit price of 49.56 euros, one week before his appointment, according to the declaration made to the Financial Markets Authority. This is equivalent to 1.67 million euros.
Appointment of Jean-Marie Tritant as Chairman of the Management Board of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
On November 18, the supervisory board appointed Jean-Marie Tritant chairman of the management board and chief executive officer of the group as of January 1, 2021. The transition phase began on November 19. During this period, he held the position of Managing Director of Operations. Christophe Cuvillier, his predecessor, is delighted with this decision: “ During this transition phase, I will work as always to protect the group and help it get through this major crisis. I wish Jean-Marie Tritant, with whom I have worked for almost 10 years, every success in his new position. »
Léon Bressler, new chairman of the supervisory board, indicates: “ I am delighted that Christophe Cuvillier has agreed to lead the transition phase. His long experience as a CEO, especially during the current health and economic crisis, will be very valuable. I am convinced that Jean-Marie will run the company with great success. » Jean-Marie Tritant, for his part, wanted to “welcome the tireless work accomplished by Christophe Cuvillier at the head of URW since 2013 and his commitment to ensuring the transition period which is beginning. »
The URW press release announces that during this transition period, from November 19, 2020, Dominic Lowe will be Managing Director of US Operations and Chairman of the Management Board of URW NV in place of Jean-Marie Tritant , who resigned from his mandate.
Any developments relating to the management board have still not been announced, they are to come in the coming weeks. One of the most important topics concerns the question of the management of the group’s assets in the United States.
