In order to work effectively in the shopping center sector, IGD’s team comprises people with different roles and expertise who cover all aspects of the business: from pure asset and project management to finance, from marketing to Investor Relations.
In Italy the most important areas of operation include:
We ensure that the separate and consolidated financial statements of the parent company are prepared in accordance with international accounting standards and that the annual reports of the Italian subsidiaries are prepared in accordance with Italian accounting standards; we collect the data and reports needed to prepare the parent company’s interim financial reports, as well as the half-year report. We ensure that the general and analytical accounting activities are carried out correctly and that the relative obligations of all the Italian Group companies are complied with.
We guarantee compliance with all laws governing listed companies, as well as other applicable laws with a view to ensuring compliance with best practices for internal control systems and corporate governance. We provide the support needed to maintain the corporate registries correctly, prepare minutes and fulfill corporate obligations. We guarantee support, providing the corporate divisions with the necessary legal assistance during extraordinary investment, corporate and financial transactions.
Together with the Legal Department, we are responsible for the management of past due accounts, prior to litigation, during any settlement procedures and litigation. We define the contractual standards to be adhered to for lease and rental agreements, as well as sureties, tenders, consultancies and services, consortium bylaws and other commercial contracts.
We provide tax control and ensure all obligations are fulfilled (liquidation, tax payments, preparation and filing of tax returns, preparation of documents called for during any audits, etc.). We are responsible for the drafting and updating of the administrative procedures and accounting systems. We research tax matters, with a particular focus on topics relating to the REIT or SIIQ regime. We provide the corporate divisions with any tax advice needed during extraordinary investment, corporate and financial transactions.
We prepare business and property leases and fulfill any related obligations, including registration; we are responsible for the entire life cycle of the leases and the relative invoicing of the rent owed; we monitor and manage the economic-financial status of the leases and receivables, based on the deadlines stipulated.
We ensure that general services are carried out by the service and maintenance providers (surveillance, cleaning and sanitization, systems engineering, security). We manage the fleet of company cars, the mobile phones and the relative connections and all the contracts linked to the activities for which we are responsible.
We are responsible for the entire cycle of the employee-employer relationship in terms of both Human Resources, administration and costs. We ensure all administrative obligations relative to personnel are complied with and prepare the relative documentation in accordance with legal deadlines. Consistent with corporate polices and objectives, we select, manage and develop our people in partnership with the other divisions.
We manage the IT services, the Corporate Management System and any customizations, the software packages for specific functions, infrastructure and the cloud, landline phone network and the relative connections, as well the contracts linked to the activities for which we are responsible.
We prepare feasibility studies relative to new acquisitions and investments in assets, guaranteeing the subsequent planning and implementation. We prepare and coordinate architectural projects, including with a view to innovation, linked to the enhancement of the portfolio. We manage the technical-administrative and documental aspects of the real estate assets, guaranteeing compliance with the law. We coordinate the HSE or Health, Safety and Environment activities of our properties.
In partnership with the other company divisions, we use pilotage tools (specifications, special projects and monitoring of the commercial activities carried out by our structures) to address the technical aspects of the tenant’s leases. We ensure the service at and maintenance of the corporate headquarters by providing surveillance, cleaning, sanitization, and security services, as well as systems maintenance.
We are responsible for obtaining the administrative authorizations needed to carry out the activities inside the commercial structures, as well as the subsequent management of any tenant turnover. We provide support during feasibility studies of proposed changes to business units. We have equipped ourselves with the tools needed to maintain a dialogue with government bodies as a result of the innovations and mandatory accreditation called for in the new CAD. We monitor any relative updates.
We analyze and prepare the legal acts of interest to the Division (leases, contracts, agreements, assignments, procurement). We also monitor and manage the activities stemming from the acts, understandings and/or agreements with government bodies. We provide updates on the law which could be of interest and support during litigation with third parties relating to the Division’s activities, as well as manage any appeals pursuant to Administrative Law together with the external legal firms engaged by the company.
We ensure that adequate insurance coverage is in place and renegotiate the relative policies. We also take care of filing claims, paying premiums, renewing policies, verifying and accepting settlement proposals.
We are responsible for gathering, analyzing, verifying and submitting the data, as well as any explanations, needed by the independent appraisers to determine the fair value of the company’s real estate assets.
We ensure the governance of the shopping centers, guaranteeing that their image is consistent with the guidelines. Together with our network (managers and supervisors) we define the economic targets and manage the centers’ plans, while monitoring the profitability of each macro area. Every day our work involves the following macro areas: marketing plans and positioning; enhancing the centers’ appeal; launch of new openings; pre-letting of spaces – including temporary – and tenant turn-over; routine and extraordinary maintenance which is managed through systematic tenders; administrative aspects and monitoring the appropriateness of the centers’ operating budgets with sector professionals; selection and constant monitoring of the services provided and the suppliers.
We ensure the correct and profitable market positioning of our shopping centers, guaranteeing pre-letting of the spaces, the stipulation of agreements and the relative terms and conditions (rent, duration, etc.). We define the Merchandising Mix, the Tenant Mix and the center’s theme, using the marketing levers that are intrinsic to our core business. We ensure successful tenant turn-over, helping to redefine lay-outs as needed.
We define and implement the marketing and communication plan based on customer analysis and analytics, Including through digital channels, in partnership with the Leasing, Asset Management, Development and Network Management divisions. We guarantee that information and data analysis relative to performance of the shopping centers is shared by providing reports on the main KPIs (sales and footfalls). We support our network of shopping centers by organizing and managing events, as well as sweepstakes.
We participate in the definition of CSR targets, monitoring performance and gauging achievement. We prepare and publish the sustainability report which is an integral part of the annual report.
We manage the relationships with banks and obtain financing from banks and on the capital markets, guaranteeing the sources of funding, mechanisms and conditions deemed most adequate based on financial projections. We coordinate and monitor the financial transactions for all of the Group’s companies.
We manage cash flow, the treasury budget, bank guarantees and the surety policies in order to ensure that the business functions correctly.
We manage the internal control system and prepare timely and detailed reports to support Company management.
We also manage the company planning and programming process by using short-, medium-, and long-term tools which include preliminary projections, budgets, business plans and strategic plans.
We work to maintain an open and continuous dialogue with shareholders, investors (equity and debt) and with all the domestic and international financial market operators, in general. The goal is to provide them with the best understanding possible of the business model and the factors underlying Gruppo IGD’s historic and future performance, striving to increase the stock’s appeal and ensure the correct positioning.
We process, therefore, all the disclosures made to the financial community ensuring timely, complete and transparent communication relative to the company strategies and economic-financial performances.
We also manage the relationships with the media, all the corporate communication, including the Group’s website and social media channels, and we organize institutional and financial events.
These are what we work on everyday!
