Jones Lang LaSalle has long talked of being different. By handing the reins to a trio of new boys, from 2013 it might start acting like it is too.
New UK chief executive Guy Grainger, who joined the firm via 2008’s acquisition of Churston Hurd, is the longest serving of JLL’s top tier. New UK chairman Chris Ireland joined in 2011, thanks to the King Sturge deal, as did chief operating officer Mark Stupples.
Grainger succeeds Andrew Gould, who joined JLL almost 20 years before him. Gould has done a good job since he became chief executive in 2009, doubling revenues and maintaining profitability. Undoubtedly Grainger has big boots to fill.
Given his background – “Retail is in my blood,” he said this morning – you would expect the smooth, dapper Grainger to be different to Gould. He has already made the right noises about staff and client focus: graduate recruitment will rise, technology adoption will accelerate and growth markets will be the focus.
More significantly, he will bring the language of retail – brand, culture and philosophy – to other parts of the JLL business. Not necessarily a bad thing, but one that is bound to ruffle some feathers along the way.
Gould will be on hand to offer advice until the spring. He will take a break before returning to an EMEA role at JLL after the summer. Richard Batten, Ireland’s predecessor as UK chairman, will also focus on his existing EMEA responsibilities.
Just what Gould’s responsibilities will be should become clearer in the new year. That decision is in the hands of existing EMEA chief executive Christian Ulbrich. By then it’s not inconceivable to think that Ulbrich might move up the ranks, with the Gould-Batten combination leading the firm once again, only this time on a bigger stage.
damian.wild@estatesgazette.com
