Former Landsec CEO Robert Noel to become new chair of Hammerson

Former Landsec CEO Rob Noel to become new chair of Hammerson

Hammerson announced it has appointed former Land Securities Group PLC (Landsec) chief executive officer Robert Noel as its new non-executive chair.

Robert Noel Noel will join the Board and take over the position with effect from a date to be confirmed but no later than 1 October 2020, at which point David Tyler will step down from the company. When he joins, Robert Noel will also chair the Nominations Committee.

”Robert Noel has built a long and successful career in the real estate sector most notably at Great Portland Estates plc and Land Securities Group PLC (Landsec),” said Hammerson in a statement. In March of this year he stepped down from Landsec, where he had held the role of Chief Executive Officer for the past eight years. 


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Robert Noel is also Senior Independent Director at Taylor Wimpey plc and a Trustee of the Natural History Museum.

Commenting on his appointment to Chair, Robert Noel said: “I am delighted to be joining Hammerson. The retail property sector is going through a period of unprecedented upheaval, but I look forward very much to helping the Company steer through the challenges it is currently facing and capitalise on the significant opportunities ahead.”

Separately, the Company also announces that Desmond (Des) de Beer will join its Board as a non-executive director with immediate effect. Des is a non-executive director of Lighthouse Capital, a property company which invests in direct property and listed real estate securities and which has a 15.1% shareholding in Hammerson.

Commenting on the appointments, Gwyn Burr, the Senior Independent Director at Hammerson, said: “Rob brings with him vast experience of the property industry which will help accelerate the Board’s ambitions to put the Company back onto a stable footing.  We are also very pleased to welcome Des, whose experience in retail property and international perspective will make a valuable contribution to the future of Hammerson.”

“The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank David Tyler for his huge commitment and energy as Chair over the past seven years.”

There are no other disclosures to be made under Listing Rule 9.6.13.

The announcement above has also been released on the SENS system of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.