Sir John Ritblat is joining investment bank Lehman Brothers as an advisor to the European property private equity division

The 70-year old Ritblat, who is retiring as chairman of British Land on 31 December, has been appointed chairman of the grandly-named European Real Estate Private Equity advisory council, Lehman said this morning.

‘In this capacity Sir John will provide strategic advice to the firm on its overall business approach in the region and how this can be further enhanced,’ Lehman added in a short statement.

Ritblat announced his departure from British Land in July after 35 years at the helm, although he will remain as the company’s honorary president. He will be succeeded by Chris Gibson-Smith, chairman of the London Stock Exchange, who is senior independent director.

As well as the Lehman job, Ritblat is also chairman of London Business School's governing body. He is also the non-executive chairman of Colliers CRE, chairman of the board of trustees of the Wallace Collection, and a member of the council of The Royal Institution of Great Britain.

He is also a member of the board of governors of The Weizmann Institute of Science, deputy chairman of the Royal Academy of Music, vice president of the Tennis & Rackets Association and president of Snowsport UK, formerly The British Ski & Snowboard Federation.