Real estate developer Atrium European Real Estate has appointed Jorg Banzhaf as chief investment officer. Banzhaf will be responsible for the management and co-ordination of Atrium’s planned investment program as the Company continues to seek out opportunities for growth.

Jorg Banzhaf has previously worked for ECE Projektmanagement, where he was managing director and board member. At ECE he was responsible for shopping mall developments in Germany, as well as managing ongoing activities in Central and Eastern Europe.

With 20 years of experience in the real estate and construction industries, for the last ten years Jorg Banzhaf has concentrated on investing in, developing and managing European shopping centres, primarily in Central and Eastern Europe.

Banzhaf, aged 48, has a postgraduate degree in economic studies and a civil engineering degree from the Technical University of Cologne. He is also member of the ICSC, ULI and a professional advisor to Graduate School Birberach for International Real Estate Management MBA.

Atrium European Real Estate owns Militari Shopping Center in Romania. Rents from Romania brought the company EUR 5.7 million in net rental income last year, according to its financial report, a seven-fold increase compared to the previous year. The market value of Militari Shopping Center is of EUR 78.8 million, according to the company's valuation. Militari Shopping Center was opened in 2002 and expanded in 2009, when the Auchan food anchor was added. The project lays over 53,000 sqm of Gross Lettable Area.