With more than 40 years experience in the retail sector, Denis is a veteran of Westfield where he spent 25 years honing his skills as a specialist in shopping centre management.
Highlights of Denis’s career include four years as Westfield’s Director of Shopping Centre Management and Marketing in the UK overseeing a portfolio valued at £4.8bn and managing key project centres such as Westfield London (£2.05bn) and Westfield Derby (£408.3m). Prior to his posting to the UK, Denis was Regional General Manager for the Westfield portfolio of centres in Victoria, ACT and South Australia, with a total value of approximately AUD4.4bn.
During a long career Denis has developed strong skills across the retail property management sector. He has:
- A comprehensive knowledge of local markets, consumer behaviour and demographic factors, including how they impact on asset values or performance.
- Proven experience in assessing commercial opportunities, their medium to long-term sustainability and associated risks.
- Had close involvement in the operational aspects of the sale and acquisition of shopping-centre assets.
- Prepared feasibility analysis for the financial performance of shopping-centre acquisitions and projects.
- Strong operational skills covering the day-to-day operations of a diverse range of shopping centres in Australia and the UK.
Denis is known for his ability to work well with people and establish trusted relationships. He has significant experience in dispute resolution in the retail sector.
In addition to his time at Westfield, Denis has served the retail industry in a number of capacities:
- Chairman; Australian Council of Shopping Centres (seven years) – Victoria
- Board member; Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) – Victoria
- Member; National Australian Council of Shopping Centres
- Associate; Australian Institute of Valuers and Land Economists
Given the important role of property in the retail equation, Denis’s highly specialised knowledge makes him an integral part of Ferrier Hodgson’s retail and property specialist teams.