International property adviser Savills has announced Mark Ridley, CEO UK and Europe, will take the helm at the firm following the retirement of group CEO Jeremy Helsby in 2019.
Ridley, who joined Savills in 1996, has over 30 years property experience in the UK, European and Asian markets. He has been CEO of Savills UK Commercial business since May 2008, CEO of Savills UK since January 2013 and additionally of Savills Europe since September 2014.
He has been a member of Savills Group executive board since its establishment in February 2008 and will join the board of Savills as deputy group CEO on 1 May 2018.
His appointment as Savills deputy group CEO will see the implementation of succession plans within Savills UK & Europe, with James Sparrow, previously head of Savills UK Professional Services business, taking on the role of Chief Executive of Savills UK & Europe effective 1 May 2018.
In addition, and reflecting the size and growth of the UK business, Richard Rees will be appointed to a new role as UK managing director, supporting Sparrow, alongside his role as head of National Development Services.
Helsby will remain in his current role until January 2019, then he will take on a regional role focused on the Americas and supporting the US management team in further growing that business.
Jeremy Helsby, Group CEO, commented: 'I am delighted that Mark will succeed me as Group CEO effective 1 January 2019 and I look forward to working closely with him over the next 12 months to ensure a smooth handover. I am very pleased that from January 2019 I will be able to support Savills in further growing its US business.'
