Savills has announced a planned leadership transition with Group Chief Executive Mark Ridley (main picture) set to retire at the end of 2025 following a 29-year career at the global property advisor.
He will be succeeded by Simon Shaw, the firm’s long-serving Group Chief Financial Officer, effective 1 January 2026.
Ridley, who has held the top role since 2019 and spent more than four decades in the property industry, will step down after a period that included steering the business through Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and a series of macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds.
Under his leadership, the FTSE 250 company has significantly expanded its international footprint and diversified its revenue streams across advisory, transactional, and investment management services.
GROWTH AND BALANCE
Savills Chair Stacey Cartwright praised Ridley’s contribution and adds: “Mark has successfully led the business through some of the most volatile periods in recent history while delivering growth and building balance across geographies and services.
“We are pleased that he will remain available in a senior advisory capacity following his retirement.”
Shaw, who joined Savills in 2009 as CFO, has overseen the group’s financial strategy, major M&A activity, and technology investments.
He also chairs Grosvenor Hill Ventures, Savills’ in-house proptech investment arm, and sits on the Group and Regional Executive Boards overseeing operations in Asia-Pacific, EMEA, the UK, and North America.
HIGHLY EXPERIENCED
Cartwright adds: “Simon is a highly experienced and respected leader within Savills.
“He will lead the Group’s strong management team through its next phase of global development.”
The process to appoint a new Group Chief Financial Officer is now underway.
