Countrywide to hire Royal Mail chairman

Countrywide will appoint Royal Mail chairman Peter Long as a non-executive chairman.

Countrywide will appoint Royal Mail chairman Peter Long as a non-executive chairman.

He will replace Grenville Turner who will retire as non-executive chairman at Countrywide's annual general meeting on 27 April 2016.

Alison Platt, chief executive, said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Grenville for his dedication and significant commitment to the development of Countrywide during his tenure.

“As chairman and previously as CEO, Grenville has been unwavering in his stewardship of Countrywide. Personally, he has been unstinting in his support and guidance for me and his counsel has been invaluable.

“I am pleased that Peter has accepted the role of chairman and would like to welcome him to Countrywide. I and the entire board look forward to working with him as Countrywide pursue its strategic objectives."

Long is a supervisory board member and ex-chief executive of tourism company TUI AG, while he has previously been a senior independent non-executive director of RAC and Rentokil Initial and a non-executive director at Debenhams.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining the Countrywide board as Chairman and am looking forward to working with Alison and her team.

"The group has a clear focus on its customers as it executes its strategy and generates long-term sustainable shareholder value.”