Daniel Evans Email & Phone Number

Männedorf, Ch

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Managing Director, I drive the strategic growth and transformation of the UK & Ireland retail portfolio for Swarovski. My primary focus is on delivering ‘luxury at scale’ by leading the planning, development and execution of new store, relocation and refurbishment projects across our retail network which comprises company-operated stores, franchise-operated stores, shop-in-shops and independent jewellers. I am responsible for identifying high-potential 'white spot' locations to expand our brand presence, strategically managing a diverse property portfolio of 70 company-operated stores, negotiating lease terms with landlords which are favourable to the company and working with lawyers to bring those leases to legal completion. My role is pivotal in aligning real estate strategy with broader business objectives, optimising our retail footprint and driving sustainable growth for the brand.

My role at Disney was made redundant due to the company’s strategic shift away from bricks-and-mortar retail following the COVID-19 pandemic. Having successfully, albeit regrettably, led the closure all but three European stores, I took a planned career break to focus on personal interests and activities while seeking the right opportunity to continue my professional journey.

Burbank, Ca, Us

Promoted to senior management during the COVID-19 pandemic, I reported directly to the Finance Director as head of the real estate department where I was responsible for the strategic property management of Disney's network of retail stores across Europe, covering the UK & Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Denmark and Sweden. This role ultimately required me to negotiate the lease exit and facilitate the closure of over 70 European stores - retaining only London, Dublin and Paris - following The Walt Disney Company’s decision to move away from bricks-and-mortar retail in order to focus on the e-commerce operation. All lease surrenders were completed on time, achieving significant savings versus the budgeted occupancy costs.

Burbank, Ca, Us

After 15 months away from the company, Disney had plans to open new stores again. I was invited to return in a newly created management position where I was responsible for new store acquisitions, lease renewals and disposals for the European estate, ensuring occupancy costs were maintained within budgetary levels and compliance with legal obligations. Achievements included the opening of 40 stores over a four-year period (2015-2020); entering two new markets in Sweden and Germany; reshaping the portfolio to a flexible lease model, resulting in over 70 percent of leases renewed on terms no longer than 12 months; and protecting the company's interests throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the negotiation of rental concessions for the period of government enforced lockdowns with our landlords.

Louisville, Ky, Us

Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, approached me with an opportunity to transition into the fast-growing Food & Beverage (F&B) sector at a pivotal time for the industry. In the wake of Britain’s recession, many retailers, including Disney Store, had paused expansion due to declining consumer spending and the rise of online shopping, whereas casual dining was thriving, positioning F&B as a key driver of high street regeneration. In this field-based role at Pizza Hut, I was responsible for developing and managing an ambitious property acquisitions pipeline across the M25 (including London), Kent, Essex and Scotland. My efforts focused on growing the Pizza Hut Delivery estate in alignment with the company's expansion criteria and brand strategy for both the company-operated and franchise-operated portfolio.

Burbank, Ca, Us

This graduate position was created for me following a successful internship 2006-2007. I was responsible for all aspects of real estate management for the UK & Ireland Disney Store portfolio, including rent reviews and lease renewals, and supported the development pipeline for Continental Europe. Highlights include the opening of stores in three new markets - Belgium, Ireland and Denmark - and opening the Oxford Street flagship in London.

Burbank, Ca, Us

Disney Store is the direct-to-consumer retail arm of The Walt Disney Company. I was fortunate to secure a full time internship at Disney Store for 13 months during the third year of my BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management degree, reporting to the Director of Real Estate, Europe. I returned to Nottingham for my final year of university studies and was asked to return to Disney as a graduate surveyor.