Savills Announces Succession Plan

16 January 2018

SAVILLS PLC

("Savills" or the "Group")

Savills Announces Succession Plan

The Board of Savills today announces that Jeremy Helsby will retire as Group Chief Executive at the end of 2018 after a 39 year career at Savills, 11 of them as Group Chief Executive. Jeremy will be succeeded by Mark Ridley, currently CEO of Savills UK and Europe, effective 1 January 2019. Mark will join the Board of Savills plc as Deputy Group Chief Executive on 1 May 2018.

Mark Ridley joined Savills in 1996 and brings over 30 years property experience in the UK, European and Asian markets.  He was CEO of Savills UK commercial business from May 2008 and has been CEO of Savills UK since January 2013 and additionally of Savills Europe since September 2014. He has also been a member of Savills Group Executive Board since its establishment in February 2008.

There are no matters to be disclosed in relation to Mark Ridley under Rule 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules.

Nicholas Ferguson, Chairman of Savills plc, comments: 

"Under Jeremy Helsby's leadership Savills has been transformed into a leading global real estate advisor, tripling revenue and offering the full range of transactional, asset management and consultancy services to clients in the world's prime real estate markets. Jeremy has successfully both internationalised and diversified the business during his decade as Chief Executive.

We are all delighted that, following his retirement from the Board at the end of 2018, Jeremy's experience and energy will remain available in an advisory role supporting our US management team in further growing the Savills US business.

The Board is delighted to appoint Mark Ridley as Group Chief Executive on Jeremy's retirement from the Board on 31 December 2018. Mark is a highly experienced and respected senior Savills executive who will lead the Group's strong management team through the next phase of the development of the Savills business worldwide. The Board and I very much look forward to working with him as Group Chief Executive."

Jeremy Helsby, Group Chief Executive, comments:

"I am delighted that Mark will succeed me as Group Chief Executive 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."

Mark Ridley, CEO of Savills UK and Europe, comments:

"I look forward to working with Jeremy and the rest of the Board over the year ahead as Savills continues to build on its global platform, delivering our clients with the very best service and ensuring we remain the international real estate advisor of choice in key global markets."

This announcement contains inside information.

For more information, please call: 

Savills plc                                020 7409 8934

Nicholas Ferguson

Chris Lee                                 

Tulchan Communications        020 7353 4200

Peter Hewer