ULI Announces Three New European Product Councils and Appoints Eight Product Council Co-Chairs

ULI Europe has announced the establishment of three new Product Councils, focusing on Operational Real Estate, Placemaking and the global real estate markets through the European Global Exchange Council (GEC).

These new councils have been established in response to member demand and the evolving priorities of the built environment sector.

Product Councils are among ULI’s most valued member benefits and ULI Europe now has a total of 14 real estate sector or topic specific councils in operation. Bringing together a genuinely international and multi-disciplinary membership, Product Councils break down professional barriers, offering industry leaders a unique platform to learn from peers operating in different geographical markets, freely exchange ideas and experiences, share best practices, pursue a topical and forward-looking dialogue, foster thought leadership, build professional networks, and help shape the future of pan-European real estate.

In addition, ULI Europe has appointed eight real estate industry leaders as the new co-chairs of several of its European Product Councils, including its three newest councils.

The European Product Council appointments include:

• Tassos Kotzanastassis, founder and managing director of the 8G Group was appointed co-chair of the Technology & Real Estate Council on 1 October and succeeds Naqash Tahir, Executive Director, PGIM Financial Limited. Tassos has been a member of ULI since 2005 and is also a ULI Global Governing Trustee. The Technology & Real Estate Council focuses on how technology and innovation in real estate and urban development can enhance quality of life, contribute to sustainability goals, and improve operational efficiency.

• Miguel Lainez, managing director and head of asset management at Cale Street Partners was appointed co-chair of the Retail & Entertainment Council on 1 November and succeeds Rebeca Guzman Vidal, Founding Partner, Curate Ventures. Miguel has been a member of ULI since 2014. The Retail & Entertainment Council explores one of the most innovative and diverse sectors of the real estate industry, examining all aspects of ownership and operation.

• Andy Martin, managing director, AWJM Consulting and Thibault Weston Smith, co-founder, Crayon Partners were both appointed co-chairs of the new European Global Exchange Council on 1 October. Andy is a ULI Trustee and Annual Fund Donor and has been a member since 2002. Thibault is the previous Chair of the ULI Europe Young Leaders Group and has been a member since 2015. The European Global Exchange Council serves as a dedicated forum for ULI’s Europe-based members to enhance their knowledge and understanding of global real estate markets, facilitating the exchange of ideas and best practices across borders.

• Carl-Johan Collet, partner, Thylander Gruppen and Valentina Shegoyan, founding partner, OPREIM were both appointed co-chairs of the new Operational Real Estate Council on 1 November. Carl-Johan has been a member of ULI since 2024 and Valentina since 2023. The Operational Real Estate Council will provide a platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas, share best practice and foster thought leadership in active real estate asset management.

• Kristian Riis, CEO Volcano A/S and Renée Schoonbeek, senior consultant urban development, Arcadis were appointed co-chairs of the new Placemaking Council on 1 November. Kristian has been a member of ULI since 2022 and Renée since 2016. The Placemaking Council will focus on advancing best practice to positively impact communities and promote the creation of inclusive, resilient places.

All co-chairs will serve on a voluntary basis for a two-year term.

Anne Kavanagh, ULI Europe Chair, comments: “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all our new Product Council co-chairs, and I look forward to working with them. The role of our European Product Councils is invaluable, and ULI is extremely fortunate to have the expertise of many talented industry leaders who are focused on furthering this important aspect of ULI’s mission.”

Lisette van Doorn, CEO, ULI Europe, comments, “Product Councils are among ULI’s most valued offerings among our members as they provide a confidential safe space for our senior members from across the value chain to learn and share knowledge and best practice. The introduction of three new European Product Councils reflects the continuous evolution of the industry, with increasing focus on the operational aspects of real estate, the value of place and global exchange.”

“I would also like to express my sincere thanks for the leadership and tremendous contributions made by our outgoing Product Council co-chairs, and it is my honor to welcome our new co-chairs and look forward to their leadership.”

ULI Europe Product Councils include:

Affordable Living Council
Data Centres Council
Global Exchange Council
Hotels, Destinations and Resorts Council
Life Science & Healthcare Council
Living Concepts Council
Logistics Council
Operational Real Estate Council
Office & Mixed-Use Council
Retail & Entertainment Council
Placemaking Council
Sustainability Council
Technology & Real Estate
Urban Regeneration Council

The European Product Councils will next meet in person during this year’s ULI Europe Conference which takes place in London June 16-19, 2025. Product Council dinners will take place on June 16 and Council meetings will take place on June 17.

For further information about the ULI European Product Councils, please contact [email protected] or visit https://europe.uli.org/councils/european-product-councils/