British Land to steal chair from Marston's

Real estate group British Land has announced that William Rucker, the chair of Marston's, is to become its new chair designate in the summer and will leave the pub and hotel operator after five and a half years on the job.

Rucker is to succeed incumbent chair Tim Score on 9 July, when Score will stand down after five years as chair and ten years on the board.

Rucker, who is also chair of Intermediate Capital Group, joined Marston's in October 2018 but will step down in his role and as a member of its board prior to taking up his new role.

Over the past 15 years, he has also served as chair of investment bank Lazard, as well as housebuilder Crest Nicholson and property investor and developer Quintain Estates and Development.

"I have long admired British Land as a company with a terrific heritage and am delighted to be taking on the role of chair," Rucker said in a statement.

"It is a fantastic business with a strong track record and a highly effective team at its helm. I look forward to working with the Board and the team as we take the business forward".

Simon Carter, British Land's chief executive who briefly crossed over with Rucker when working as finance director at Quintain Estates and Development back in 2015, said he was "very much looking forward to working with William again".

"He has extensive relevant experience, having chaired both public and private UK real estate businesses. His insights will be invaluable as we continue to execute our value add strategy and look to seize growth opportunities in the portfolio and those emerging in the market."