At the same time it is centralizing the organization on the regional level with new Executive Vice Presidents responsible for business operations.
The Skanska commercial development business unit in CEE operates on 10 city markets in four countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania. Being the market leader in the CEE region, the developer has delivered approx. 1 300 000 sqm of office space. Thanks to high quality sustainable products, multinational experience and strong financial performance, Skanska attracts many newcomers to CEE and has many repeatable tenants and investors. The appointment of the new leadership team aims at strengthening the cross-country cooperation within the region, building long lasting partnerships and presenting a portfolio of projects on the regional level.
Skanska is the biggest office developer in Europe[1] and the market leader in the CEE region. With the new Senior Leadership Team we will continue delivering successful business with a stronger focus on regional strategy supporting our customers. At the same time, we stand by our values and continue on Skanska’s sustainable journey as a company “changing the world” which we were described as recently[2]. This recognition is both a great honor and a great responsibility. We rise to the challenge by setting ourselves the ambitious target of achieving net-zero carbon emission by 2045, while maintaining business results. Preparing the organization to reach this long-term goal will already start now with this strong leadership team of successful professionals, fully dedicated to our business and environmental goals – says Katarzyna Zawodna-Bijoch, President and CEO for Skanska commercial development business unit in CEE.
Newly appointed Senior Leadership Team in Skanska commercial development business in Central and Eastern Europe – effective per January 21, 2020:
One of the biggest changes in the new structure is the business merger of the commercial development units in Hungary and the Czech Republic. Effective immediately, the newly created unit is headed by Alexandra Tomášková, EVP Operations Hungary & Czech Republic. As a Managing Director she was formerly responsible for the commercial development business unit in the Czech Republic and is now taking on her expanded role as a result of her successful leadership in Czech business. Alexandra has been active in the real estate market for almost 20 years in various roles. In Skanska, she played an essential role in the success of projects such as Corso Court, Five or Visionary. Most recently, Alexandra and her team completed the Praga Studios project and its divestment, which was a truly unprecedented commercial success and became a benchmark for the whole city of Prague.
I see the merger of the two countries into one business unit as a great opportunity. Of course, we want to continue with good business in both countries, but we also plan to take the best out of both and create a single, successful unit that will use the potential, talent and knowledge it certainly has within its ranks. We will benefit from the synergy and inspire each other. Finally, we will build on the good relationship with our Skanska Central Europe construction unit. – says Alexandra Tomášková, EVP Operations Hungary & Czech Republic.
Another change affecting the business operations in the region is the newly established EVP Legal Counsel position as a part of the Senior Leadership Team. For the first time, legal function will be represented in the regional management team. Tomáš Fabian will be taking on this role for the entire CEE region. He was previously responsible for the divestment of Skanska’s commercial buildings in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania as well as legal affairs across the region.
One of major changes that will ensure progress in delivering top quality, technically advanced and sustainable projects in relation to the long-term goal to create zero emissions buildings is the creation of the Center of Excellence. This team will combine and standardize competences in such key areas as Digitalization, Sustainability, Innovation, Technical Quality and Health & Safety across the whole unit to continuously work on delivering top class, future-proof products to tenants and investors.
All the above changes reflect Skanska’s strategic focus on projects, customers’ needs and achieving ambitious environmental goals.
[1] According to PropertyEU’s office developer ranking 2019: https://propertyeu.info/Nieuws/MAGAZINE-Skanska-tops-PropertyEU-s-office-developers-ranking/a41c781f-02f0-49fb-b822-c32805202b0d.
[2] According to Fortune Change the World list 2019. Skanska was ranked 20th and is the only engineering/construction company on the list: https://fortune.com/change-the-world/2019/skanska/