London estate agents Douglas & Gordon has appointed former Foxtons director James Evans as its new chief executive.

At Foxtons, Evans was responsible for the company’s south London area for ten years, during which time the business increased fourfold.

He also had a leading role in the senior management team that achieved a sale to private equity in 2007 and latterly a highly successful public listing in 2013.

Evans said: “For many years I have admired Douglas & Gordon as a high quality estate agency with a trusted brand founded on the integrity and quality of its customer service.

“I look forward to working with the shareholders, senior management and all the staff to ensure continued growth within the company.

“I am extremely excited about the future success we can all achieve together.”

Michael Hodgson, chairman of Douglas & Gordon, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of James Evans who has both an intimate knowledge of the estate agency world and how successful companies work.

“We look forward to working with him to take the company into the next stage of its development.”

Evans will take up his position as the new chief executive in November.

A spokesperson for Douglas & Gordon said that high profile Ed Mead’s role as executive director remains unchanged and that he is currently concentrating on the firm’s new residential development arm, to be launched this autumn.

The appointment of Evans comes over two years after former Douglas & Gordon boss Ivor Dickinson announced his departure after a period of sabbatical. He had worked for the firm for 27 years, 15 as its managing director.