Via Outlets names two new directors

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Mar 10, 2022

Via Outlets has added two key names to its board of directors to support the European premium outlet mall operator's drive for “concentrated growth”.

Via, which owns and operates 11 outlet centres, has appointed Jaap Tonckens and Rita Schroeven as non-executive and executive director respectively.

And Tonckens moves up to board level after having been an advisor since last July. Meanwhile Schroeven, the company’s Head of Legal Affairs, is taking up an additional role of executive member.

Tonckens brings more than 25 years’ experience from the global real estate and finance industries. Prior to joining VIA Outlets, he spent 11 years at international mall giant Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. He has also worked for Morgan Stanley & Co in London and New York for over 14 years.

Particularly experienced in commercial real estate and corporate finance, capital markets and transactions, he is also a senior advisor to Value Retail, the creator and operator of The Bicester Village Shopping Collection.

Schroeven has been the Head of Legal Affairs at Via Outlets since its inception in 2014. Originally joining from Value Retail, she brings more than 25 years of pan-European experience in senior legal roles in the retail and real estate industries including 14 years as VP–Legal for Europe at retail brand Foot Locker. She’s particularly experienced in real estate transactions, leasing and competition law and general governance and risk matters in relation to the fashion retail and real-estate industries.

Otto Ambagtsheer, Via Outlets CEO, said: “Having two such high calibre people as Jaap and Rita joining our board illustrates Via Outlets’ status as a leading organisation playing an essential role in the retail industry. [They] will be instrumental to our continued growth in the coming years.”

Late last year, Via Outlets raised €600 million in funding, used to refinance the vast majority of its outstanding secured debt. It has also unveiled a new corporate look and feel “following an extensive rebranding undertaking”.