Ilona Szafer takes the helm at Savills IM Poland

Savills Investment Management (Savills IM) has appointed Ilona Szafer, previously head of Asset Management Retail for its Polish operations, as its new ead of Poland.

Ilona Szafer, head of Poland

In this role, Szafer will be responsible for developing and implementing Savills IM's strategy in Poland, where the company manages a diversified portfolio of approximately €1.7 billion in office, logistics, and retail assets. Based in Warsaw, she will oversee the local team's daily operations, investment, acquisition, and asset management strategies, collaborating with Savills IM's Head of Europe, Kevin Aitchison, and Head of Asset Management, Juan Miguel Marinas Redondo.
Szafer brings 20 years of experience to the position, including previous roles at MARK Capital Management (formerly Meyer Bergman), Immofinanz, and TriGranit. She has been with Savills IM since its entry into the Polish market in 2017.
Poland is a key market for Savills IM, which has expanded its portfolio to roughly 1.5 million square meters over the past eight years through various funds and mandates as part of its broader European strategy.
Ilona Szafer, head of Poland at Savills IM, commented: “We have an established presence in the Polish market and we see a particular opportunity in the office, logistics and retail sectors. I’m looking forward to leading a team of highly qualified professionals to deliver on our investment objectives and expand our portfolio. My priority will be to continue implementing a strategy rooted in highly selective acquisitions supported by active asset management programmes, ensuring we achieve alignment with client expectations and a response to evolving market conditions.”
Kevin Aitchison, managing director, Head of Europe, Savills IM, added: “Ilona’s appointment represents an important next step in the evolution of our strategy in Poland. We secured early mover advantage by entering into the country almost a decade ago and remain committed as long-term investors, where we can leverage our local expertise to unearth favourable opportunities and capital solutions for our investors. The Polish market forms part of a diversified pan-European portfolio that is strategically invested in Europe’s strongest economies and in defensive, structurally-supported sectors with clear growth potential.”