Savills has hired Nick Sanderson as its group chief financial officer to replace Simon Shaw who will become group chief executive at the start of next year.
Sanderson, who qualified as a chartered accountant at Arthur Andersen in 1998, will also become an executive director at Savills, where he is expected to begin next spring.
Sanderson who is set to leave FTSE-250 central London real estate investment trust Great Portland Estates after 14 years, having held the roles of chief financial officer and then chief financial and operating officer.
Before that Sanderson was a partner and head of real estate corporate finance advisory at Deloitte, having worked in real estate investment banking for a decade before that, including a stint as managing director at Nomura.
GPE said in an announcement this morning that its board had started a process to appoint Sanderson's successor.
Toby Courtauld, the REIT's chief executive, said in a statement: "During his 14 years at GPE, Nick has been a highly-regarded leader and partner.
"He has played a key role in maintaining strong financial discipline across the business while overseeing the delivery of a wide range of operational matters, and more recently the growth of our fully managed activities.
"Working with him has been hugely enjoyable and I wish him every success in his next role."
William Eccleshare, non-executive chair of the GPE board, added: "Nick has been a valued member of the management team and on behalf of the board I would like to thank him sincerely for his contribution to GPE and wish him the very best for the future."
Savills has also appointed Susie Bell to the newly created role of investor relations director. Bell is set to join in October from UK housebuilder Vistry Group, where she was investor relations director. She has also worked in investor relations roles at companies like Barratt Developments and EMI Group.
The shuffle at the top of Savills follows the April announcement of Mark Ridley's retirement from his role as group chief executive. Shaw, group CFO and incoming group CEO of Savills, said in a statement: "I very much look forward to welcoming Nick and Susie to Savills.
"Nick has an impressive and extensive track record in both the public and private real estate sector and will be a great partner for me and the broader management team as we drive the next stage of the Group’s development."
Sanderson added: "I have greatly enjoyed my 14 years at GPE, working with a fabulously collegiate team.
"Whilst the strong culture and strategic focus has been a constant, I am proud of the part I have played in evolving our customer offer and operating capabilities and in building GPE’s outstanding platform for growth.
"I would like to thank everyone I have worked with during my time here, especially Toby and all my GPE colleagues."