LondonMetric nabs British Land exec as chief investment officer

Darren Richards will join the company in this newly created role and be part of the senior leadership team reporting directly to chief executive Andrew Jones.

"Darren is an influential and experienced real estate player and he will play an important role in the next phase of LondonMetric's journey. It's great to get the band back together," Jones said.

Richards has been on the executive committee of British Land since 2014, having worked there since 2005.

British Land announced in a statement that, as a result of Richards' departure, it would move its current head of strategy and investment, Kelly Cleveland, to a new combined role of head of real estate and investment.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Darren for his unwavering support and significant contribution to the business over nearly 20 years and wish him the very best in his new role," said British Land's chief executive Simon Carter.