One of estate agency’s leading figures, Connells Group CEO David Livesey, is to retire next year, it has been announced.

Highly respected throughout the industry, Livesey joined the company in 1990 as mortgage services director, holding a number of senior positions before being appointed Group CEO in 2008.

With his detailed understanding of the UK property market, Livesey has been instrumental in the creation and development of several of the group’s businesses, strategically guiding it to a market-leading position in the residential property sector.

Milestones

Livesey has seen the group grow from 997 to 16,000 staff, with several notable milestones including:

– Taking Connells private in 1996 in a management buyout backed by the Skipton Building Society

– The formation of Rightmove in 2000 with the firm a founding shareholder

– The establishment of a number of strategic partnerships with key industry players including Zoopla and FixFlo

– The acquisition of Sequence from Royal & Sun Alliance in 2003, more than trebling the size of Connells Group at the time

– The acquisition of regional businesses such as Sharman Quinney, Peter Alan, Burchell Edwards, Gascoigne Halman and Rook Matthews Sayer

– The addition of New Homes Group in 2007

– The acquisition of Countrywide in March 2021, which more than doubled the size of the Connells Group

Talented

“It has been my absolute privilege to be surrounded by the most talented team of property professionals in the country.

“As I prepare to hang up my clogs, I am confident that Connells Group will continue to prosper and grow” says Livesey.

Outstanding

Sarah Whitney, Connells chair designate, adds: “On behalf of the boards of both Connells and its parent, the Skipton Group, I would like to thank David for his outstanding service to Connells.

“He has played a central role in creating the largest and most successful property services group in the UK.

“He leaves a business with over 1,200 branches, 16,000 staff, a turnover of £1bn pa, and acknowledged as the market leader in the sector,” she says.

“David leaves with the good wishes of everyone at Connells for a long, happy, and healthy retirement.”

In the coming months Livesey will be working with Whitney and the executive team to find his successor.