After 35 years as CEO of the company, Fernando de Peña Iver is stepping down to begin a new chapter in his personal and professional life. He will be succeeded by Pablo Pulido, the current Manager of Mallplaza in Chile and Colombia.
Santiago, Chile – August 20, 2025 – Mallplaza S.A. – Fernando de Peña Iver has informed the Board of Directors of his decision to step down as CEO of Mallplaza, a position he will hold until December 31, 2025. He will be succeeded on January 1, 2026, by Pablo Pulido Sierra, who currently serves as Manager of Mallplaza operations in Chile and Colombia.
Pablo Pulido is a seasoned professional in the retail industry, with a successful career at Mallplaza spanning over 10 years. He is known for his leadership, team-building skills, passion, and commercial vision. As Manager of operations in Colombia, Pablo was recognized by Mall&Retail as one of the 10 most influential leaders in Colombian retail. He currently oversees Mallplaza operations in both Chile and Colombia, with achievements including the acquisition and expansion of the Calima shopping center—now transformed into the prominent urban center Mallplaza NQS in Bogotá—the opening of Mallplaza Manizales and Mallplaza Barranquilla, and in Chile, the development of 17 Mallplaza shopping centers nationwide. Notable projects include the expansion and transformation of the iconic Mallplaza Vespucio, the repurposing of anchor stores, and a development plan covering 125,000 m². Prior to joining Mallplaza, Pablo worked for 13 years at Groupe Casino in France and Grupo Éxito in Colombia, holding positions such as Real Estate, Finance and Technology Manager, and Asset Management Manager. He was instrumental in developing and launching the Viva brand business model, which grew to over 15 shopping centers and became the leading brand in Colombia’s retail industry.
Fernando de Peña took on the role of CEO in the early 1990s. He not only led the creation and expansion of the company in Chile but also laid the foundation for an innovative business model that transformed Mallplaza shopping centers into social and family gathering spaces, integrating entertainment, culture, and community services, turning them into true Urban Centers.
Under his leadership, iconic shopping centers were created and developed in Chile, such as Mallplaza Vespucio, Mallplaza Trébol (the first outside Santiago), and Mallplaza Oeste. He also spearheaded the company’s expansion into Peru and Colombia, positioning Mallplaza as the leading shopping center company in the Andean Region, with 17 centers in Chile, 15 in Peru, and 5 in Colombia, totaling 2.3 million square meters.
In 2018, Mallplaza went public under Fernando’s leadership, a milestone that enhanced its visibility both locally and internationally. In 2024, the company executed a significant capital increase that enabled, among other initiatives, the acquisition of new strategic assets in Peru. Mallplaza currently has an estimated valuation of approximately USD 5.1 billion.
Fernando de Peña is the only Chilean to have served on the ICSC—the international shopping center industry organization based in the United States—and has been the only non-North American member and Trustee for over seven years.
Sergio Cardone, Chairman of Plaza S.A., emphasized that “Fernando de Peña is an exceptional executive. He consistently demonstrated extraordinary talent in building cohesive teams capable of adapting to market dynamics and anticipating consumer needs. His tenure was marked by a commitment to innovation, sustainable development, and the integration of technologies to enhance visitor experiences, helping to shape a brand known for its social relevance and positive impact on the communities it serves. His leadership was crucial in Mallplaza’s international expansion, establishing it as one of the most influential retail companies in Latin America. The appointment of Pablo Pulido is part of an existing succession plan within the company, and I am confident that his leadership will be highly successful, supported by a talented team focused on executing and developing Mallplaza’s strategy.”
