Citycon appoints ex-Starwood COO as new boss

Northern European listed retail specialist Citycon has announced the appointment of Starwood Retail Partners’ former COO F. Scott Ball as its new CEO.

He is replacing Marcel Kokkeel, who will step down next year and will stay as an adviser to the company until May 1, 2019.

Prior to joining Citycon, Ball was founder and president of a private real estate investment and retail advisory firm. Previously, he served as president/COO at Starwood Retail Partners, prior to which he held several leadership positions, including at Oxford Properties in Canada, at The Mills Corp. and at The Rouse Company in the United States. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from LaSalle University in Louisiana and is a long-time active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and Urban Land Institute.

In another executive change, Henrica Ginström has been appointed Citycon’s new COO as of Jan. 1, 2019. Ginström has been with Citycon for almost eight years and is currently serving as commercial director in Norway, prior to which she served as the company’s vice president, investor relations and communications. She holds a master’s degree in technology from Aalto University School of Science and Technology in Helsinki and a second master’s degree in economics from the Hanken School of Economics, also in Helsinki.

Citycon’s current COO, Jurn Hoeksema, will step down based on a mutual agreement, effective Jan. 1, 2019.