Ridley steps down as Savills chief executive

Mark Ridley will retire as Savills’ group chief executive at the end of this year after a near-three decade career at the agency. He will be succeeded by Simon Shaw (pictured, right), chief financial officer, on 1 January 2026. Ridley’s move marks the latest upheaval at the top of agencies’ UK operations, following the resignations of JLL UK chief executive Stephanie Hyde and CBRE UK and Ireland chief executive Ciaran Bird. Stacey Cartwright, chair of Savills, said: “Under Mark’s leadership, Savills has achieved significant growth and stronger balance, both geographically and by service line. He has successfully steered the business through Brexit and its aftermath and the pandemic years, and more recently global macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds, navigating these very significant challenges whilst growing the business at the same time. “We are all delighted that, following his retirement at the end of 2025, Mark will remain available in a senior advisory role supporting the business.” She added: “Simon is a highly experienced and respected senior Savills Executive who will lead the Group’s strong management team through the next phase of the development of the Savills business worldwide. The board and I very much look forward to working with him as group chief executive.”