Savills Plc - Chairman Succession

Savills plc, the international real estate advisor, announces that Nick Ferguson has been appointed as a non-executive director of Savills with effect from 26 January 2016 and will succeed Peter Smith as Chairman of Savills following his retirement from the Board at the conclusion of the AGM in May 2016.

Nick brings extensive leadership experience from the private equity and investment sectors and is currently Chairman of Sky Plc, having joined the Sky board in 2004 and become chairman in April 2012. He was co-founder of Schroder Ventures (the private equity group which later became Permira) of which he served as chairman from 1984 to 2001. He later served as chairman of SVG Capital plc, a publicly quoted private equity group, from April 2005 to November 2012. He is currently chairman of Alta Advisers Limited, an investment advisory firm, a position he has held since January 2007. He is also chairman and founder of Kilfinan Group, which provides mentoring by Chairman and CEOs to Heads of Charities.

Savills confirms that there is no other information about Nick requiring disclosure under Listing Rule 9.6.13.

Jeremy Helsby, Chief Executive Officer, said: “On behalf of everyone at Savills I thank Peter for his leadership of the Board since 2004 and for the huge contribution he has made to the development of the Company as Chairman over the past ten years. We wish him all the best for the future."

“I am delighted that Nick has agreed to join the Board. His experience will be a great asset for Savills as we continue to grow. I look forward to his contribution and guidance as we seek to deliver the Company's long-term strategic objectives."

Commenting, Peter Smith, said, “I am delighted that Savills has appointed Nick Ferguson to succeed me as Chairman. Over the last decade, the Group has made huge progress and I am proud of the strong platform for future growth that we have built”.