Connells boss announces retirement plans

Connells group chief executive David Livesey has announced his intention to retire during 2024.

Highly respected throughout the industry, Livesey joined Connells in 1990 as mortgage services director, holding a number of senior positions before being appointed Connells group chief executive in 2008.

A statement from Connells said Livesey has been instrumental in the creation and development of several of the group’s businesses, “strategically guiding the brand to its market leading position in the residential property sector.”
 
He has has seen the group grow from 997 to 16,000 staff, with several notable milestones including taking Connells private in 1996 in a management buyout backed by the Skipton Building Society, the formation of Rightmove in 2000 with Connells a founding shareholder and the establishment of a number of strategic partnerships with key industry players including Zoopla and FixFlo.

He also oversaw the acquisition of Sequence from Royal & Sun Alliance in 2003, more than trebling the size of Connells Group at the time as well as the purchases of regional businesses such as Sharman Quinney, Peter Alan, Burchell Edwards, Gascoigne Halman and Rook Matthews Sayer.

That is even before the acquisition of Countrywide in March 2021, which more than doubled the size of the then Connells Group.

Livesey said: “It has been my absolute privilege to be surrounded by the most talented team of property professionals in the country. As I prepare to hang up my clogs, I am confident that Connells Group will continue to prosper and grow.”

Connells chair designate Sarah Whitney, added “On behalf of the boards of both Connells and its parent, the Skipton Group, I would like to thank David for his outstanding service to Connells. 

“He has played a central role in creating the largest and most successful property services Group in the UK. He leaves a business with over 1,200 branches, 16,000 staff, a turnover of £1bn per year, and acknowledged as the market leader in the sector. David leaves with the good wishes of everyone at Connells for a long, happy, and healthy retirement.”
 
In the coming months, Livesey will be working with Whitney and the executive team to find his successor.