The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) has awarded Michael Baker, principal, Baker Consulting and regular Inside Retail columnist, an ICSC Research Award for Outstanding Service for 2014.

ICSC established the research award in 2007 to recognise industry professionals who have demonstrated a significant commitment and contribution to ICSC’s research programs.

The award winners have had an instrumental role in ICSC’s research, including writing, planning, speaking at ICSC Research events, advising, and fostering industry benchmarking through data sharing.

“Since the inception of the award, 25 industry researchers were awarded the ICSC Researcher Award to acknowledge their significant contribution to ICSC and the shoppingncenter industry,” said Michael Niemira, chief economist and senior VP of research for ICSC.

“Michael Baker joins that prestigious global group of researchers who have been gone the extra step in sharing their time, talents and efforts with the ICSC community. I am pleased to acknowledge his contributions,” Niemira said.

Baker is principal of Baker Consulting, based in Sydney. Baker assists developers, retailers, investors, and local governments maximize the economic and social value of retail space.

Prior to becoming a consultant,  Baker was assistant director, then director of research at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) between 1998 and 2004.

He was founding vice chair of ICSC’s Asia Pacific Research Group, and is a member of the North American Research Advisory Task Force.