Amsterdam-listed Wereldhave has announced that Hans Vermeeren is joining the firm as director of its operations in the Netherlands. Vermeeren worked from 2000 to 2010 for Unibail-Rodamco, the last three years as the director of Unibail-Rodamco Netherlands.

This year Wereldhave substantially expanded its Dutch investment portfolio with the acquisition of five shopping centres from Unibail-Rodamco for EUR 260 mln. The value of Wereldhave's Dutch shopping centre portfolio now amounts to EUR 475 mln.

Achieving rental growth by active shopping centre management and the renovation and expansion of shopping centres are the new key tasks of the Dutch management organisation, Wereldhave said.

In addition to the appointment of Hans Vermeeren as managing director, the company plans to recruit a head of leasing and a head of development for the Dutch property management organisation.

Edwin van de Woestijne, the current managing director of Wereldhave Netherlands, will remain responsible for the property management of the Dutch shopping centre portfolio as head of shopping centre management. He will report directly to Vermeeren.