Malcolm Lindley, the long-standing managing director of the Guild of Professional Estate agents and also of Fine & Country, is to become chairman following the appointment of Jon Cooke.

Cooke, as revealed yesterday on EYE, has quit his job as managing director of Your Move and on October 1 will become CEO of GPEA – the parent company of the Guild and Fine & Country.

Lindley set up the Guild and has been its managing director since May 1993 – over 22 years.

He also set up its highly successful spin-off, Fine & Country, in 2003 and has been its managing director for 12 years.

Lindley now becomes chairman of the GPEA board.

It has been confirmed that in the new structure, Marcus Whewell is to remain CEO of the Guild.

Whewell said he supported Cooke’s appointment, saying it “will help The Guild develop faster and more professionally as we bring in more senior management with broader experience and capability”.

Lindley said: “I have known and worked with Jon for over 20 years, admired his ambition, his determination, his vision and passion for the industry and, in particular, the independent estate agency sector.

“I take this opportunity to thank the board, the directors, the management, the teams, the membership, friends, colleagues and suppliers for all their hard work, dedication and patience during my term.

“Now, with such continued support and intelligent and experienced leadership, we look forward to building in strength and dedication for the independent estate agency sector in particular and estate agency in general.”