Hammerson appoints Rob Wilkinson as new CEO

UK property developer and investor Hammerson has announced that Rob Wilkinson will be their new CEO.

Rob Wilkinson

Wilkinson will join Hammerson's Board as CEO Designate on December 15, 2025, and officially take over as CEO on January 1, 2026. He will succeed Rita-Rose Gagné, who is retiring from Hammerson at the end of 2025 after five years in the role. Gagné will continue to lead the company throughout 2025 to ensure a smooth transition of her responsibilities.
Rob Wilkinson brings over 30 years of experience in real estate investment. He joins Hammerson from AEW Europe, where he served as CEO for more than 11 years, having previously been their CIO in Europe. His background also includes roles at Goodman Group, Eurohypo, and UBS, as well as serving as a non-executive director at Grainger and Derwent London. Wilkinson is a qualified chartered accountant with a law degree from the University of Cambridge.
Robert Noel, chair of Hammerson, said: "Rob is an established and proven real estate leader who brings a wealth of experience and a track record of delivering shareholder value. Through a rigorous recruitment process, Rob stood out from a strong field of candidates as someone who was able to translate strategic insight into shareholder value creation through exceptional leadership."
Rob Wilkinson added: "I am honoured to have been appointed as CEO of Hammerson and look forward to working with the team. Under Rita-Rose's leadership, the company has completed a major turnaround of the portfolio and restructured the balance sheet, firmly establishing Hammerson in a new phase of growth. I am excited to continue this journey, advancing the company's unique portfolio of prime retail and leisure anchored city destinations."