Supermarket Income REIT poaches Sainsbury’s director for senior role

Supermarket Income REIT (SUPR) has appointed Jamie Cowen as strategy director.

In this newly-created position, Cowen will look to drive growth of the real estate investment trust’s portfolio and unlock value through active asset managment.

He joins SUPR from Sainsbury’s, where he has held the position of director of estates and investments from 2022. He began his career at the supermarket retailer as head of property development, and has since held roles including head of property (international), head of mixed-use development, head of investment and planning, and head of estates and investment.

Prior to his time at Sainsbury’s, Cowen was a development surveyor at Whitbread.

Jamie Cowen said: “I am thrilled to be joining SUPR at such an exciting time in its growth. The company achieved a number of major milestones last year, and I’m excited to be a part of continuing that momentum.”

Robert Abraham, CEO of SUPR, added: “I’ve known Jamie Cowen since I started with SUPR in 2019 and being able to attract an individual of his calibre is a real testament to the strength of the business and the significant progress we have made over the last year or so.

“We look for the right cultural fit in any hire: team players, commercially switched on and relationship‑driven. Of course it also helps that Jamie is an absolute expert in grocery property…

“His decades of experience for Sainsbury’s will add real value for our shareholders as we deliver on a very exciting pipeline of opportunities.”