The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), the global trade association of the shopping centre industry, has appointed Bill Kistler as executive vice president and managing director of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

Kistler will join the leadership team and provide strategic counsel and input on global matters to support the organisation’s global footprint. He will report directly to president and CEO, Tom McGee, said a statement from ICSC.

Kistler brings more than 30 years of international experience and most recently served as managing partner at UK-based Kistler & Company, providing investment, development and organisational strategy support to the global real estate industry, it added.

He also founded the Urban Innovation Network (UIN), a platform connecting cities, universities and business and will continue serving as its non-executive chairman, it stated.

Commenting on the appointment, McGee said: “At a time where retail real estate is a catalyst of the global economy, Kistler’s deep understanding of matters related to the industry and previous experience growing ULI EMEA will be an asset to ICSC.”

“We are committed to working with our members in EMEA and his strong partnerships with media, capital markets and government organisations make him best aligned to lead and expand our presence there,” he added.

Speaking on his new role, “I am pleased to be joining ICSC and look forward to working with the team across EMEA to advance the interests of the retail real estate industry.”

“ICSC members play a vital role in shaping communities and in the wider economy. Helping to create more opportunities for our members to connect, collaborate and share knowledge and ideas is a privilege that I look forward to,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service