Lakeside owner SGS Group appoints new CEO
SGS Group, the owner of retail destinations including Lakeside, Atria Watford, Victoria Centre and Braehead, has appointed Claire Barber as its new CEO, effective from 30 September.
Barber joins from student accommodation developer Unite Group, where she served as Group Asset Management Director, responsible for setting the asset management and investment strategy for its portfolio, alongside leading a major business transformation project.
Prior to this, she spent three years as Director of Asset Management at Cadogan Estates and 13 years as Head of Retail Asset Management at British Land, the owner of Meadowhall in Sheffield.
Her appointment follows SGS Group’s recapitalisation earlier this year, which included £445 million of new debt from Lloyds Bank, securing the long-term capital structure of the group’s four assets.
Claire Barber, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of SGS Group, said: "I am delighted to be joining SGS at such a pivotal moment, following the successful completion of its refinancing.
"I look forward to continuing to build on SGS Group's strong operational and financial performance and to strengthen our partnerships with retailers and local communities to deliver exciting places for our customers to shop and enjoy leisure time."
Jaap Tonckens, Non-Executive Chairman of SGS Group, added: "I am very pleased to welcome Claire as CEO of SGS Group.
"She brings the perfect blend of sector knowledge and experience to oversee the next phase of the group's journey – this is an exciting time for the business and we are delighted to have her on board."
