Perrins to become Berkeley executive chair

The Berkeley Group has announced that its chief executive Rob Perrins is to become executive chair in September with chief financial officer Richard Stearn moving to chief executive. Current chairman Michael Dobson is to step down. Perrins has been ceo since 2009, while Stearn has been cfo since 2015.

Berkeley says the changes were made after “careful consideration” as the company “embarks upon its new ten-year strategy, Berkeley 2035”.

Berkeley said: “Appointing Rob as executive chair will provide assurance to key stakeholders, including our people and the leaders in national and local government, of the continuity in leadership needed at this time. It resolves succession in a way that retains the Berkeley culture and values. Once the consultation process has been completed, any further board changes will be announced, including the appointment of a new cfo, a role for which there are strong internal candidates who have been with Berkeley for a number of years.”

Meanwhile non-executive director William Jackson is to step down in September while Richard Dakin, most recently head of CBRE's European investment banking and debt and structured finance business, will join the Berkeley board.

Berkeley today announced £528.9 million of pre-tax profit for the …