Hammerson has appointed Morgan Bone, 37, as director of corporate communications, effective from 20 April 2009.

He will be responsible for investor relations and corporate communications activities, following the retirement of Chris Smith after 19 years with the company.

Bone joins Hammerson from financial PR and investor relations agency Fishburn Hedges, where he was a group board director.

A qualified accountant, he has over 12 years’ experience of City and financial communications, the majority of which was gained as a Partner at Finsbury Group.

He has extensive investor relations experience, having provided outsourced IR functions for several clients in previous roles.

John Richards, Hammerson chief executive said: 'I would like to thank Chris for his outstanding contribution to Hammerson and welcome Morgan to the company '