Chris Igwe joined CB Richard Ellis in December 2007 as Head of Retail, France. His mission is to identify and extend the range of services affered to clients in respect of high street and shopping centres, as well as offering consultancy advice to global brands. Chris Igwe is also responsible for the penetration of clients into shopping centres within France and across Europe.

Chris Igwe started his career as a Civil Engineer working on major international projects which have won numerous awards. Based on this success, he then joined global brands Foot Locker and then Gap as European Director of Real Estate. In 2001, he joined ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) as its Managing Director Europe. In the same year, he founded Chris Igwe International, specialising in offering strategic retail and real estate advice to international companies, brands, retailers, owners, developers and landlords. The countries covered were primarily, the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.

Chris Igwe is recognised internationally for his profound knowledge of global brands. He is highly sought after by clients for his advice, ideas and thoughts of specific issues or key decisions. Chris Igwe is also frequently quoted in international press for his thoughts on the evolution of international retail shopping centre development, the retail real estate market, or specifically on the transformation of the Champs Elysées and its future.

Chris Igwe is Chairman of the Membership Committee of ICSC's European Research Group, and a member of the Retail and Leisure Council of ULI.

Company profile

CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world's largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2008 revenue). The Company has approximately 30,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CB Richard Ellis offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. CB Richard Ellis has been named a BusinessWeek 50 "best in class" company three years in a row and a Fortune 100 fastest growing company two years in a row.