Dieter Knittel is Head of International Real Estate Finance for Central and Eastern Europe at pbb Deutsche Pfandbriefbank. Dieter is responsible for the bank’s lending portfolio in the region. The regional focus is on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Dieter has been active in the CEE market for more than twenty years, including five years based in Warsaw as Head of Credit and Senior Risk Management.

Doron Klein joined AFI Europe in 2008 and since 2011 served as CEO of AFI Europe’s operations in the Czech Republic and Germany. Since 2018 Doron was appointed as the CEO of AFI Europe in Romania and in 2023 was appointed also Deputy CEO of AFI Europe.

Doron Klein has more than 20 years of experience in Real Estate, operating in both Central and Eastern European real estate markets.

Doron has an MBA degree from the University of New York in Prague, Czech Republic and he is fluent in Hebrew, English and Czech.

Olga is an experienced manager with almost 20 years of experience in the commercial property sector in the CEE region. During her career, she headed BNP Real Estate Romania as Country Manager, also worked as International Development Manager at Mayland Real Estate in Poland, but also in Russia as Branch Executive Manager of Seracom International Group. She is a graduate of the University of Bucharest and has completed an MBA program at Tiffin University, US. Olga is an ICF Certified Professional Coach, working with managers, executives, and their teams. She speaks native Romanian and fluent English, Russian and French.

Hubert Abt has been working in the real estate industry for over 30 years. He worked as a developer and later in the land banking sector and provided equity and Mezzanine capital for various real estate projects. In 2013 he founded NEW WORK Offices in Budapest, which provides various flexible office solutions. Since then he developed the business model further and grew the company to today 16 locations in 3 countries with approx. 43.000 sqm which brings NEW WORK in the top 3 list in CEE. Hubert now leads the company as CEO while focusing on investor relations and franchising. Since December 2020 Hubert is also a founder and CEO of workcloud24, which provides digital solutions for workforce and workspace management.

Sebastian Macdonald-Hall embarked on his career journey in 2002 at 19 years old within M Core’s collective of companies, concentrating on asset management for the UK Industrial and Retail portfolios. His dedication led him to relocate to Paris, where he contributed to investment and asset management operations under the guidance of the company’s French CEO. Sebastian’s expertise was further honed during his tenure in Poland, where he was tasked with aiding business development, financial analysis, and investment expansion efforts.

After serving for two years, Sebastian co-founded Evolve Estates, in 2009 with Danny & Joe O’Keefe. In 2023 the company has amassed an impressive £450m AUM and developed a team of 45-person strong management platform in the UK.

Following a successful decade with Evolve Estates, Sebastian began working more across the M Core collective, to drive growth. In 2021 Sebastian was a key driver in the digital transformation and positioning efforts of M Core across Europe.

Sebastian’s focus in recent years has been on bolstering capital reserves for M Core’s expansion plans. His efforts have resulted in multiple capital raises, totalling over 500 m euros, through strategic partnerships, and several joint ventures.

Throughout his career, Sebastian has showcased proficiency across various domains such as corporate finance, property development, investment strategy, and portfolio management. His leadership roles, including EU Chief Investment Officer and Co-CEO of M Core Romania alongside James Fife, have been instrumental in driving Pan-European growth and establishing joint venture management platforms to optimize asset value.

Sebastian’s profound industry knowledge and strategic foresight continue to be invaluable assets in navigating and shaping M Core’s trajectory towards continued success in the dynamic real estate landscape. M Core currently has 1,270+ assets under management with a value of 5.3bn GBP.

Alina Calin has over 20 years of experience in the banking system, out of which 15 years in the specialized lending with a focus towards financing of real estate. She is currently Head of Real Estate Finance with Alpha Bank Romania, bank with tradition in sustaining the development of the Real Estate sector in Romania.

Bryan Wilson Jardine, a California-admitted attorney (since 1990) and registered foreign lawyer with the Bucharest Bar Association, has lived and worked in the CEE/SEE region since 1996 and has been the Managing Partner of the Wolf Theiss Bucharest office since 2005.

In addition, Bryan co-heads the firm’s regional energy industry group. He has extensive experience in the conventional and renewable energy (RES) sector, having represented leading multinational investors and developers in this sector. He has received various awards in recognition of his substantial expertise in the business and energy sector and was named “Professional of the Year” at the 2009 Europa Property SEE Annual Awards. Over the last years, he has edited several of the Firm’s well-received energy guides, which have focused on areas from RES and Waste to Energy and Energy Efficiency. He is also one of the three individuals who founded the Romanian Petroleum Club in 2001 

Iuliana coordinates the environmental and social risk assessments and financing with a positive impact, within BRD. She has an extensive experience in the banking field, with 14 years in real estate financing, acquisitions and syndicated transactions.

In her current role participated in the first sustainable finance transactions instrumented for companies with a footprint in Romania, including for real estate sector.

Iuliana is a graduate of the Academy of Economic Studies, of an MBA program at the Open University (UK) and is currently pursuing a Master in Sustainability Leadership at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.

Gijs has almost 20 years of experience in real estate and was involved in investment transactions worth more than EUR 2 billion across Central and Eastern Europe.

As a Dutch citizen, Gijs holds a Master of Science in real estate management obtained at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. His working career started at the research & strategy department of ING Real Estate Investment Management (ING REIM). In 2005 he moved into CEE and held various positions in that region both on the transactional and asset management side with companies such as ING REIM (later acquired by CBRE and becoming CBRE Global Investors), JLL (managing director Romania), Nepi Rockcastle (head of investments), CBRE (head of investment properties), CTP and now WDP.

Personal Status

Married with two children living in Roztoky (CZ)

Hobbies:

Military history, hiking, investing in residential properties

Languages:

Dutch, German, English and Romanian

Quote Gijs:

• Motto: “luctor et emergo”, in other words one should never give up and one will eventually prevail (same credo as Holland)

I graduated Bucharest University of Economic Studies – Faculty of International Business and Economics. I have approx. 20 years of experience in managing corporate banking portfolio. I started my banking career in 2004 by joining Credit Europe Bank, standing out through motivation and involvement in all activity areas while successfully taking on various roles in Corporate lending and product management. Since last year, I am responsible of coordinating the Corporate Banking activity of Credit Europe Bank.

Adrian has 20+ years experience in Romanian retail and especially in the retail of shoes and accessories.

Between 2001 and 2004 he was Area Manager for Leonardo, and since 2004 he has been Development & Retail Manager and one of the shareholders of Benvenuti. Benvenuti currently has 53 stores in Romania, of which 47 under the Benvenuti brand and 6 under the Enzo Bertini brand.

Also, since 2014, Adrian has been a founding member of RoRetail – Romanian Retailers Association.

Adrian graduated from the Technical University of Timisoara, being licensed in mechanical engineering.

I entered the real estate market in the fall of 2006, after spending nine successful years as a Corporate Account Manager in Telecom at Connex, later Vodafone. I was accepted into the Eurisko team as a Project Manager in the residential sector. It was a booming field, and I transitioned seamlessly from one wave to another. I fell in love with this industry the moment I realized the significant impact it has on society. Everything was of great importance, and each interaction felt like a “once in a lifetime” opportunity. Every transaction carried my personal mark, and I couldn’t envision myself doing anything else.

However, between 2010 and 2017, I ventured into a new field, opening the path to export at a company producing ventilation accessories.

In 2017, I returned to real estate, joining Element group of companies, where, under the leadership of Ionuț Bordei, the CEO at the time, I embraced a new facet of the industry: retail. Here, I contributed with passion to the company’s first retail project, Bistrița Retail Park.

Since 2022, Bistrița Retail Park, along with myself, has been part of the Praktiker Real Estate group. The company’s retail portfolio, among others, has grown considerably. As an Asset Manager, I have contributed to the development and successful operation of five retail centers and one mall: Focșani Retail Park, Tulcea Retail Park, Bistrița Retail Park, Fortuna Shopping Center – Severin, Vitantis Shopping Center – Bucharest, and River Plaza Mall – Râmnicu Vâlcea.

Additionally, at Praktiker Real Estate Romania, I have been involved in several investment transactions.

As Country Manager for Romania at Lion’s Head Investments, Alina Necula concentrates on property
management of Oregon Park, prime office project in Bucharest, as well as the company’s upcoming local
investments and developments for the first logistics project at local level. Prior to joining Lion’s Head,
Alina was part of the Commercial and Asset Management teams of Globalworth and Immofinanz.
With more than 18 years’ worth of experience in the real estate industry, Alina Necula’s expertise includes
multiple office and logistics projects and coordination of strategic business units in retail and residential
markets. Alina’s objective is permanent professional accomplishment, adding to her passion for real
estate, her interests in sports, travelling and creating valuable memories for her 5-year-old daughter.

Alex Domsa is head of real estate division of Decathlon Romania, with over 13 years experience in the field and executive board member. His expertise spans the implementation of sustainability-focused initiatives and indirect purchase.

 Shaping the future of sport locations, he continues to play a pivotal role in the brand’s growth and expansion in the local market. As a Property & Development Director, Alex oversees operations and expansion strategies across multiple locations, finding the best solutions to enhance better customer experience. His vision of expansion has driven the development of multiple Decathlon stores, transforming them into vibrant community hubs that go beyond retail to inspire active and healthy lifestyles

Alex graduated University of Oil and Gas being licensed in Natural Gas Valorification and is fluent in Romanian, English, French and Italian.

Jonathan has been in the foodservice industry for over 45 years, starting his career in a public house in Nottingham, England, aged 14. He was too young to serve drinks but earned his first wages sorting glass bottles. It was from this early age that he fell in love with food and beverage.

These first experiences in the restaurant and bar industry then became a consuming passion and Jonathan went on to train as a chef and then a professional manager in hotels and restaurants, completing his craft qualifications, then a Diploma and finally a Bachelor of Science Degree in Foodservice Management.

Having worked for Imperial Inns and Taverns, Trusthouse Forte, Whitbread, Mars, Masterfoods and Marriot in operations, sales and new concept development and store openings, Jonathan embarked on his consulting career with a small London practice, working on the first UK food courts, transit catering and inflight foodservice. In 1993, Jonathan started “Coverpoint” the foodservice consulting business.

Coverpoint expanded progressively over 26 years and in that time provided advice to over 250 of the world’s best Owners, Operators Landlords and Developers with projects being delivered in over 50 countries.

Over this time, Jonathan became known as a leading thinker in his industry, with knowledge and insight into the performance of assets, brands, consumers and locations. He remains connected at the highest level with foodservice leaders and businesses across the world and with airport owners and operators, and property owners and managers in many countries.

In 2014 Coverpoint was sold to JLL, the professional property services business listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2017 Jonathan joined ECE, as Global Head of Foodservice. Jonathan is now a consultant to ECE, as well as providing services to a number of other companies and locations including airports and transit locations.

Jonathan is married to Misha and together they have two young children as well as two dogs and they live in the New Forest, Hampshire, England.

Aleksandar is a highly skilled and experienced structural civil engineer with over 30 years of practical expertise in designing and managing construction projects and real estate products. He has a demonstrated ability to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions while ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards in construction and real estate.  He has excellent leadership skills, with a track record of successfully leading teams and collaborating with stakeholders.

He is also the founder and organizer of the Real Estate Belgrade Exhibition and Conference (REBEC) a prominent real estate event in Belgrade, Serbia, established in 2008. REBEC brings together investors and stakeholders with the most prominent and recognized international lawyers, bankers, consultants, urban designers from the  real estate industry to discuss and show case the latest trends, and opportunities present in the SEE region. Aleksandar coordinates the event logistics and he cultivates strategic partnerships with key industry players, fostering the growth and reputation of the event.

With over 20 years of experience in the real estate sector and a background in legal studies, Antoniu Panait has been shaping the landscape of sustainable urban development in Romania. Since 2008, he has led Vastint Romania, overseeing everything from strategic land acquisitions to project development and construction.

A firm believer that great real estate is about more than just buildings, Antoniu places sustainability at the heart of Vastint’s projects. Under his leadership, the company has consistently implemented initiatives that reduce environmental impact, promote green building standards, and create long-lasting value for communities.

Known for his hands-on approach and deep industry knowledge, Antoniu continues to drive Vastint Romania’s commitment to quality, innovation, and responsible development.