Humberts has announced the appointment of a new CEO.

He is Tim Simmons, who has been with the firm for 20 years. He succeeds Matt Spence, who becomes chairman of Humberts.

Simmons joined Humberts’ office in Bridport, Dorset, as a junior negotiator in 1999, and became an associate partner in 2004.

Last year he was promoted to director of sales and marketing before being promoted again to chief operating officer.

In his latest role he will work closely with Spence, whose self-catering holiday firm Natural Retreats bought Humberts out of administration last year.

Since then Humberts has quit the high street to concentrate on serving areas from ‘hubs’, and has launched a concierge service.