URW appoints new CEO, acquires mixed-use asset in Edinburgh

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) announced the appointment of Vincent Rouget as the new CEO and chairman of the Management Board, effective January 1, 2026. 

Vincent Rouget

Vincent Rouget, currently chief strategy & investment officer and COO for Europe, will succeed Jean-Marie Tritant, who has served as CEO and chairman of the Management Board since 2021. Tritant, who led the company through a challenging period and successfully returned it to growth, will oversee the transition until the end of the year.
The Supervisory Board also announced that Anne-Sophie Sancerre's responsibilities will expand to include COO Europe as of January 1, 2026, in addition to her role as chief customer & retail officer. Sylvain Montcouquiol's mandate as chief resources & sustainability officer was renewed, and Fabrice Mouchel continues as CFO. A successor for Vincent Rouget as CIO will be named at a future date.
In a separate announcement, URW confirmed the acquisition of a 25% stake in St James Quarter, a landmark mixed-use destination in Edinburgh. This move reinforces URW’s strategy to operate and grow dominant flagship destinations in key urban markets.
St James Quarter combines 110 retail, leisure, and dining units across 80,300 m2, alongside 152 high-end apartments. As part of a new joint venture partnership, majority shareholder APG will retain a 75% stake. URW will manage the asset, which is set to be rebranded as a Westfield destination in 2026, leveraging URW’s operational capabilities and innovative services, including its in-house retail media agency, Westfield Rise. This is expected to generate additional income for URW through asset management and retail media fees.
Located in the heart of Edinburgh, St James Quarter is recognized among Europe’s twenty highest-footfall retail destinations.
URW operates 66 shopping centres in 11 countries, 40 of which carry the Westfield brand, attracting over 900 million visits annually. The Group also boasts a portfolio of high-quality offices, 10 convention and exhibition venues in Paris, and a €1.9 bn development pipeline of mainly mixed-use assets. As of June 30, 2025, its €49 bn portfolio is diversified, with 88% in retail, 5% in offices, 6% in convention and exhibition venues, and 2% in services.