Immobel names Rikkert Leeman as new CEO

Immobel’s Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Rikkert Leeman as the new CEO of the Immobel Group.

Rikkert Leeman

He will succeed Adel Yahia, who will step down as CEO and depart from the group on 1 September 2026, following a transition period.

Rikkert Leeman brings over two decades of leadership experience from both the public and private real estate sectors. As CEO of Alides REIM, he was instrumental in developing the company into a prominent Belgian real estate firm with international operations in Poland and Luxembourg. His expertise encompasses development and investment, financial structuring, and a strong foundation in ESG and governance principles.

Since 2019, Leeman has served as CEO and managing director of Alides REIM, having previously held the roles of COO and member of the Executive Committee. Earlier in his career, he held senior executive roles at Befimmo, where he was CTO, a member of the Executive Committee, and a director. He also gained extensive experience in project and property management at Catella Codemer and Willemen.

The transition period will be carefully managed in collaboration with the Board and Executive Committee to ensure seamless continuity of operations, strategy, and stakeholder relationships.

Marnix Galle, Executive Chair of the Board of Immobel, commented: “Immobel has come through a demanding period with stronger discipline and a clearer strategic direction. The next phase is about rigorous execution, early origination, capital partnerships, and selective growth. Rikkert combines development experience, investment judgment, and the ability to build and scale a platform. The Board is convinced he is the right person to lead Immobel into its next chapter.”

Rikkert Leeman, CEO-designate of Immobel, added: “I see three immediate strengths to build on: the Belgian residential platform, the discipline to complete and realise value from the current portfolio, and the opportunity to scale a more capital-efficient, partnership-led model across our core markets. The choices the group has made in recent years create a clear foundation. My intention is to build on it with focus, conviction, and selectivity.”

Immobel plans to continue generating value as a developer while increasingly forging partnerships with institutional and strategic investors. This will involve various collaboration models, such as forward sales, co-investment structures, public-private partnerships, and phased capital commitments. Throughout 2026 and 2027, Immobel will prioritise completing projects, securing leases, and extracting value from its existing portfolio, all while rigorously managing capital allocation across its operational markets. The group will also continue expanding its residential platform in Belgium, alongside overseeing its office platforms in Luxembourg and central Paris, with a strong emphasis on asset quality, leasing progress, and value realisation.