Derwent London

Robbie Rayne is to hand over the chair’s reins of FTSE-250 property investment and development company Derwent London, to chief executive and founder John Burns.

Rayne will retire as part of a longer-term reshuffle at the firm, at its AGM on 17 May 2019.

Burns will step aside from the chief executive role next May to take the chair for a period of two years before an independent chair is named. Current property director Paul Williams will step up to chief executive at the same time.

Williams joined the group in 1987, joining the board in 1998. “The Board values the importance of retaining Derwent London’s strong culture and the extensive experience of its senior management,” said Rayne.

“Paul Williams has been an integral member of the management team with strong strategic, operating and property expertise and has built lasting relationships with our occupiers.  He has the knowledge, skills and expertise to lead the business and will do an excellent job as chief executive.”

Serco Group

Former HM Revenue & Customs chair Mike Clasper is to step down as senior independent non-executive at services business Serco, with John Rishton stepping into the role.

Rishton held senior roles at British Airways, Royal Ahold and subsequently as chief executive of Rolls-Royce.

Idox

Chris Stone is the new chair of information management business Idox. Stone holds two other chair roles: at NCC Group and CityFibre.

He spent 12 years as CEO of Northgate Information Solutions, and three years in the chief role at Radius Worldwide.