DTZ’s Mark Struckett said today he will step down as chief executive next year as a recruitment drive to replace him begins and a number of senior management changes are made.

The global property services board said in a statement to the Stock Exchange this morning that Struckett had held informal discussions with Board colleagues and had outlined his intention to step down from his role in 2009. It said he had indicated his flexibility on dates to ensure a smooth handover although an effective date has not yet been decided on.

DTZ said as a result of these discussions Tim Melville-Ross, chairman of DTZ has instigated a formal process to identify Struckett’s successor and has retained a recruitment consultancy.

'Thorough and wide-reaching review'
It said it had noted recent press comment with regard to its senior management team and confirmed it was ‘undergoing a ‘thorough and wide-reaching review of its senior management team’ and had made two senior appointments.

Peter Mawson, former chief executive officer of Donaldsons which DTZ bought last year, has been appointed EMEA operations director replacing Keith Stockdale who becomes chairman of DTZ’s Middle East and Africa region.

It said Stockdale will also take on a projects-specific role within the DTZ group. DTZ Central London head John Forrester has been appointed as deputy chairman of the UK business ‘to provide increased focus and emphasis on clients’. Forrester is a member of the UK Executive Board and chairman of the London markets team.

Transition period

Melville-Ross said: ‘We are extremely grateful to Mark for giving us such long notice of his intention to step down from his role as chief executive, as this has given us ample time to find a worthy replacement and put an orderly transition period into place.

‘DTZ has grown considerably under Mark’s stewardship and we look forward to benefiting from his experience and wisdom over the coming months whilst we conclude the search for his replacement.’

Moving on

Struckett said: ‘DTZ has expanded rapidly in geographic reach and depth of service, and our global team comprises over 12,500 people in 150 cities operating in 45 countries. While I have decided it is time for me to move on, I look forward to ensuring a smooth handover to my successor. I also congratulate Peter, Keith and John on their appointments.’

DTZ said its shareholders will be updated as appropriate.

Topics