One of Connells Group’s most senior executives is to quit the firm after 35 years.
David Plumtree (main picture) is standing down as Chief Executive (Estate Agency) at the end of this month.
He is to be replaced by Ian Fry, in an internal promotion from his position as National Managing Director (Estate Agency).
Interim Group CEO Richard Twigg remains in post, acting in the role since David Livesey announced his retirement last year.
Negotiator
Plumtree started his career with the group in 1988 as a negotiator in William H Brown’s Fakenham, Norfolk, branch. He held a number of senior roles, and led the group’s Estate Agency business since 2005.
Fry has been with the business for 28 years, also starting his career as a branch negotiator.
It feels like the right time for me to step back.”
Plumtree says: “After celebrating 35 years it feels like the right time for me to step back.
Plumtree has been a relatively ‘behind the scenes’ boss at the firm and only recently made forays into the world of public debate, including his well-publicised decision to back conveyancing platform ViewMyChain.
His influence over Connells cannot be underestimated including its decision, with the support of parent company Skipton Building Society, to take the huge business risk of buying ailing competitor Countrywide in 2021. The jury is still out on whether this has been a success. Self-describing as a ‘fiercely competitive person’ the writing was on the wall when he celebrated his career internaly late last year.
“I have been fortunate to have worked with some amazing people in Connells, and I leave the business knowing that the appetite to continue to drive the business forward is as strong as it has ever been, and I am excited to see how the group continues to evolve.”
Twigg says: “David has been instrumental in growing the business to become the UK’s leading estate agency, and we wish him well in his future endeavours.
“Ian has already played a significant part in our success story, undertaking many roles and achieving great success at every level within the business.”