Retail Real Estate Renaissance: Investment, Risk, and Market Realignment

Tracking capital flows, asset performance, and evolving retail dynamics in the UK market

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  Louisa Butters

  Louisa Butters is the Head of Retail Asset Management for CBRE Investment Management’s U.K. Direct Real Estate Strategies. Based in London, Louisa is responsible for retail and office assets totalling c£1.5 billion, alongside the oversight of Battersea Power Station development and asset management. Louisa worked at the firm from 2006-2011, and most recently returned in 2019 after two years as an asset manager for Cadogan Estate. Prior to that, she spent 12 months with Cherwell District Council, setting up their property investment fund. She began her career in the industry in 2004. Louisa earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Birmingham, a Maitrise Science Comptable from the Universite de Bordeaux, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Real Estate Investment & Finance from the University of Reading. Louisa is also a member of REVO.

  CBRE IM

  Head of Retail Asset Management, UK

  Louisa Butters

  Head of Retail Asset Management, UK

  CBRE IM

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  Allan Lockhart

  Allan Lockhart is CEO at NewRiver, a listed REIT specialising in convenience and community focused retail and leisure assets throughout the UK. The NewRiver portfolio is focused on the growing and sustainable sub-sectors of the UK retail market including grocery, convenience stores, value clothing, health & beauty and discounters that provide important everyday household goods and services to communities across the UK. Allan has over 30 years of retail property experience, beginning his career at Strutt & Parker in 1988, then as Retail Director at Halladale plc from 2002 before co-founding NewRiver in 2009. Allan chairs the British Property Federation’s Retail Board. NewRiver is a Premium Listed REIT on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol NRR. www.nrr.co.uk

  NewRiver

  CEO

  Allan Lockhart

  CEO

  NewRiver

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  Stephen Daniels

  Head of Asset Management

  Redical

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  Pablo Sueiras

  Pablo has spent the past four years at Landsec contributing to its retail growth strategy, currently as Head of Retail and Hospitality Leasing and previously as Head of Asset Management for the retail portfolio. In his current role, he leads partnerships with major brands and drives leasing strategies across some of the UK’s most prominent retail destinations. Drawing on senior experience at brands such as Diesel and Fenwick, he brings extensive expertise in retail strategy and transformation, supporting his focus at Landsec on creating experience‑led places that deliver long-term value.

  Landsec

  Head of Retail and Hospitality Leasing

  Pablo Sueiras

  Head of Retail and Hospitality Leasing

  Landsec

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  Richard Brown

  Richard has worked in retail investment since 1988, starting as a graduate at Edward Erdman, before moving to Churston Heard where he became investment Director. In 2008 JLL purchased the Churston Heard business and Richard has continued to work in the retail investment team at JLL. Richard’s experience encompasses a wide range of retail advice from acquiring and selling shopping centres, leisure schemes and high street shops, to advising investors on retail purchases, such as the Selfridges business. Richard’s client base is varied with UK and overseas institutions, Banks, Sovereign Wealth funds, property companies, REIT’s and private investors. 2025 transactions include the sale of Lexicon shopping centre in Bracknell, the sale of the Notting Hill Gate Estate, the purchase of the M&M flagship store in Leicester Square and the sale of a block of 12 shops on the Kings Road in Chelsea.

  Retail Investment UK, JLL

  Director

  Moderator

  Richard Brown

  Director

  Retail Investment UK, JLL

Building Retail That Works: The Future-proofing Toolkit for Retail Property

Where design, data, and tenant strategy meet to create high-performing retail spaces

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  Stuart Fyfe

  Managing Director - Retail, Leisure and Hospitality

  Canary Wharf Group

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  Laura Thursfield

  Retail Leasing Director

  The Crown Estate

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  Harriett Renny

  Harriett Renny brings over 13 years of experience in the real estate sector and is currently Leasing Director at Battersea Power Station. In this role, she leads on attracting new retail, leisure, F&B and office tenants to one of London’s most iconic mixed-use regeneration projects. Harriett also oversees relationships with more than 170 British and international brands now based at Battersea Power Station, playing a key role in shaping its vibrant and diverse commercial community.

  Battersea Power Station

  Leasing Director

  Harriett Renny

  Leasing Director

  Battersea Power Station

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  Kate Lea

  Kate Lea is Head of Shopping Centre Leasing at British Land, where she leads the leasing strategy across the company’s UK shopping centre portfolio, with a focus on future-proofing assets through tenant mix, experience, design and commercial resilience. Her role spans near-term performance, income protection and trading momentum, alongside long-term asset positioning and placemaking strategy. Kate works across some of the UK’s most complex retail environments, from the business community at Broadgate in central London, to the premier UK retail destination and regional draw of Meadowhall in Sheffield, and the vibrant, everyday heritage, town centre environment of SouthGate in Bath. Her leasing decisions are informed by customer insight, trading data, and performance metrics, enabling disciplined judgement on income durability, asset relevance, and long-term value creation. Working closely with leading UK and international retailers, she curates tenant strategies that support both occupier performance and investor returns.

  British Land

  Head of Shopping Centre Leasing

  Kate Lea

  Head of Shopping Centre Leasing

  British Land

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  Jenni Matthews

  Jenni Matthews is a retail insights commentator focused on the trends shaping the performance of UK retail destinations. At MRI Software, she works closely with retail footfall data and consumer behaviour insights, helping retail leaders interpret the signals behind changing shopping patterns and destination performance. Through regular market analysis, reports, media commentary and industry discussions, Jenni provides perspective on the forces influencing modern retail — from seasonal shifts in shopper activity to the longer-term transformation of high streets, shopping centres and retail parks. Her work helps retailers, landlords and investors better understand what the data reveals about the future of physical retail.

  MRI Software

  Brand & Communications Director

  Moderator

  Jenni Matthews

  Brand & Communications Director

  MRI Software