Connells Group’s chief executive, David Livesey, has announced his intention to retire during 2024.
Livesey, who joined Connells in 1990 as mortgage services director, held a number of senior positions before being appointed group chief executive in 2008.
Livesey has been instrumental in the creation and development of several of the group’s businesses, strategically guiding Connells to its existing position in the residential property sector.
Through a commitment to organic growth, and a series of acquisitions throughout his tenure, Livesey 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 and the formation of Rightmove in 2000 with Connells a founding shareholder.
He also help to establish a number of strategic partnerships with key industry players, including Zoopla and FixFlo, oversay 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 purchase of regional businesses such as Sharman Quinney, Peter Alan, Burchell Edwards, Gascoigne Halman, Rook Matthews Sayer, The New Homes Group.
In addition, he was instrumental in the acquisition of Countrywide in March 2021, which more than doubled the size of the then Connells Group.
“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” said Livesey.
Connells chair designate, Sarah Whitney, commented: “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 pa, 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.”
Comments (11)
there is something going on high up at Connells and when it all comes out I’m sure it won’t be something good
David is a true visionary of our industry, his achievements are remarkable and he has positively influenced many people’s careers. Being a visionary is one thing, but being able to ensure a clear, practical and successful delivery of that vision through such a large organisation is one of his major successes. I have no doubt this will lead to the Connells Group’s industry leading position growing yet further in the years to come.
Wishing David the very best, he is an industry giant and an intelligent and humble leader of the Connells Group, despite such incredible achievements at such a scale. Many industry leaders could learn from this approach of dumbing down the ego, and focusing on their own people growth and considered/consultative decision making…
Lots of senior management changes across the whole of the business. Nigel Trevor and Dave Chapman stepping down in IT Development , Lynne Birse moving from IT service Delivery, by the mery go round of IT Management.
Something is not right. Looks like the rats are deserting the sinking ship.
Do they know something we don’t? Will Connells Group still be around in 5 years?
Sorry but did you get countrywide for free ?was part of the furlough scheme instrumental in assisting some of these profits ??you willing to answer ?
it’s an opinion and you are free to protest -too much if you want
by the way -to just help you did you realise Surrendermonkey is a very distasteful term to any one of a French background
I suggest you change it David -Tally Ho
Jealousy is an illness, Tim. I do hope you get better soon.
David has done a great job at Connells and deserves to be recognised for what he has accomplished.
Stephen Shipperly steps down-Now this one
When the going gets tough -scarper
To be fair Connells was a great company before he arrived on the scene-Eddie Mass -John Sparrow to name but two -when under a hundred branches had a great team and a brilliant culture
David will be judged on the success of the Countrywide takeover ?Taking on over 1000 branches in uncertain times was a massive risk to the Skipton and amazed they did it tbh
This one is a new low for you Tim! Given your ongoing fascination with Connells then you’d surely know that a further £300m of profit has been posted since Countrywide became part of the Connells Group. So, whilst David will be judged on his outstanding 34 years, the past 3 years haven’t been too shabby either! Hardly a case for scarpering Tim!?!? So, how do these profits compare with those at Haart Tim? Care to comment on that? No …. thought not!
Oh, btw …. Countrywide was 600 branches and not 1,000 and it’s Eddie Moss and not Eddie Mass. Otherwise another excellent post by Major Tim! Maybe focussing on your own business at 08.31 this morning rather than trying to dis someone’s outstanding career might have been a wiser use of your time?
I well remember his first day – working together in the Connells Head office at Leighton Buzzard!
Great bloke and a wicked sense of humour, and some serious financial acumen. He has done a brilliant job at Connells. Good luck David.
David Livesey has been instrumental in the rise and rise of the Connells Group and it is difficult to envisage how any newcomer will ever come close to him.
A modest, very talented business man with an incredible eye for finding new opportunities within a tightly defined field. On a personal level – highly entertaining with a brilliant sense of humour!
Well done on what you have achieved and good luck for whatever else (and there must be something else ) that you have planned for your “retirement”!
BIG respect from me
Getting corporate agency to work and guiding it through good times and bad requires leadership on a level most people cannot even begin to contemplate.
I really do take my hat off to you and the close members of your team David and Anthony- Brilliant and Inspirational – a very hard act to follow