Conversations with Changemakers: Chris Igwe - Global Retail Expert
Conversations with Changemakers….
Harveen Gill interviews….
My short monthly interview sessions focus on an individual who is known to me, has a connection to retail and whom I personally admire. In June, I am delighted to shine the spotlight on Chris Igwe.
Introduction.
Chris Igwe is a leading authority on global retail and highly sought after for his passionate views, deep knowledge and great insights.
Based in Paris, he is special advisor to global brands, owners and investors on strategic matters at his own consultancy firm, Chris Igwe International. He is also Managing Partner at More Or Less, a company representing tenants and lease-related problems.
Chris is Co-Chair of the ULI Retail and Entertainment Council and a member of the European leadership of ULI (Urban Land Institute).
From 2007 to 2015 he was Senior Director EMEA and Head of Retail, France at CBRE, and before that, Head of Real Estate Europe at Gap, and prior to that Head of Real Estate Europe at Foot Locker Europe. Chris was also Managing Director Europe for ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers).
Chris is an international speaker, former Jury Member for ICSC, RLI, CNCC, and a long-standing Steering Committee Member and Conference Master of Ceremony (2011 – 2019) for MAPIC. He has also lectured for ICSC, UK’s Bayfield Training, EFAP MBA in Paris and Abu Dhabi Paris Sorbonne University. He is a Chartered Civil Engineer, holds a BSc in Civil Engineering and an MSc in Geotechnical Engineering.
Chris was recognised by his peers as a recipient of the “2014 ICSC Award for Outstanding Service to the Research Community”. In 2020, Chris has also been appointed as a Governing Trustee at ULI.
Chris is multi-lingual and enjoys being a coach and mentor to young professionals.
How did we meet?
Chris and I are newly formed “Zoom friends”. Chris had read a recent interview that I had shared featuring Lenka Matthews, and reached out.
Chris has led a very active and interesting life, born and raised in Nigeria, Chris moved to the UK at the age of 11. His parents were educated in the UK, Chris very early on managed to live in more territories than most people do in a lifetime! Stints in London, Newcastle, Manchester, Edinburgh, twice in both France and Switzerland and The Netherlands followed. Chris has now lived in Paris for 26 years.
Chris originally qualified as a Civil Engineer and was involved in the construction of a number of high-profile award-winning projects including Stansted Airport and the M16 Building project in London.
How will the global pandemic alter the retail industry?
Much of my time is spent on advising on general retail and property matters. The retail landscape will change permanently. I advise retailers and landlords on how to optimise their portfolios. There will be a requirement for fewer “bricks and mortar” stores, while local high streets need to be strengthened and all shopping environments – high streets and shopping centres – need to merge digital innovation, experience and fun in the “new world”, and of course in comfortable, safe environments.
“Less will be more”. We will shop and buy less, retailers will sell less, landlords will secure less rent. We will all become more selective, the winners will be those organisations who shift their offering, operations and efficiency to this “new normal”, never losing sight of the consumer’s needs which will be for ever shifting.
What / Who has been important to you in your career?
Initially it was tough, I made a move from Civil Engineering to Retail. It is difficult for me to pinpoint 1 individual.
I have worked with a number of individuals who have sadly departed and left indelible marks. They include:
· Don Fisher – the Founder of Gap. Don was very humble and secured great results through his nurturing and encouraging style. He also operated in a tough manner – nothing was impossible, and he would often state – “no is not an answer”.
· John Riordan – President and CEO of ICSC. John was an internationally renowned real estate professional leading this global trade association and shared much advice with me, almost in a fatherly manner.
· Jean-Louis Solal – was credited with bringing the North American style shopping mall to Europe and was an incredible visionary. I would sit and listen to his many stories of what we needed to do to create an exciting shopping environment. His passion was unrivalled.
Can you pinpoint the most significant steps in your career?
There have been a number of “crash and burn or success” projects in my career. Thankfully, I have had numerous successes to my name of which I am proud, involving some of the most complex projects. I love being challenged and of course require the autonomy to drive success.
How do you think our industry will change given the global pandemic?
I would like to see our industry creating true and vibrant destinations for people. We need to get the human factor back into our industry and look at stores and shopping centres providing a huge welcome to shoppers. We also need to have that human factor into our companies – from how we look after and treat staff, to how we train and develop those with promise to become leaders.
Who do you admire and why?
My Mum! My Mum is our rock and foundation. She worked very hard, often working several jobs to raise her 4 children. My parents strived to give us the best education. My Mum has high moral standards, but provides lots of love, support, and encouragement.
What advice would you offer to an individual wanting to secure a retail career?
Have passion – “retail is a mixture of science and art”. You need to understand a spreadsheet and numbers but what goes into brand / retail mix is also intuition, guts and passion.
Self learn as much as you can, read and travel as much as you can to visit all types of retail destinations to get a big picture view across countries. Reading is accessible and much is free.
Share a Secret.
I can share a couple of secrets -
I was a proficient sportsman and was once the 4th ranked 2-metre high jumper in the UK.
I have flown on Concorde – from Paris to New York.
Harveen Gill
MD, HGA Group
June 2020.