The chairman of housebuilder Countryside Partnerships has resigned a month after the board bowed to pressure from an activist investor to seek a sale of the group.

John Martin, non-executive chairman of Countryside, has quit the firm with immediate effect, after just over a year in the post.

Martin joined the Essex-based housebuilder and urban regeneration company as chair in May last year.

No reason was given for his departure. Countryside last month said it had opened a formal sales process. This followed a bid approach and a “meaningful” number of shareholders believing Countryside would be in a better position as a privately-owned company, or as part of a larger business.

Countryside said that senior independent director Douglas Hurt will succeed Martin as chair. Hurt joined Countryside’s board back in 2018.
Meanwhile, Amanda Burton has been appointed as senior independent director.

Amid the sudden departure, Countryside said there is no change to its previous full-year guidance for the 12 months ending 30 September.

Hurt said: “We are sorry to see John Martin go and would like to thank John for his dedication, commitment and significant contribution to Countryside.”

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