FTSE 250 property group Hammerson has appointed Gina Szymanski as CFO and a director, with her expected to join its board by 1 January 2027.

Szymanski joins from AEW Capital Management, where she is global securities chief investment officer in Boston. She began her career as a forensic accountant and equity analyst and has more than two decades of experience spanning finance, capital markets, real estate investment, REITs and corporate strategy. She will relocate to the UK for the role.

Rob Wilkinson, CEO of Hammerson, said Szymanski brought deep sector expertise, capital markets insight and a strong track record of value creation. "Having spent more than two decades investing in global listed real estate, she has a clear understanding of what drives shareholder returns and the evolving needs of investors."

Szymanski said: “I am thrilled to be joining Hammerson at this point in its journey. Looking across the global real estate landscape, I am excited about the opportunities in the Retail sector. I see Hammerson as ahead of the curve, uniquely positioned operationally and financially to take advantage of those growth opportunities.”

The London-based firm reported a strong first half in July, with recurring earnings rising 33% and net rental income rose 40%.

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