Marsh & Parsons has appointed a retail specialist to the role of chief operating officer.

She is Helen Sachdev, who joins from Barclays where she spent eight years, most recently as managing director of UK Strategy, Mergers and Acquisitions.

Before joining Barclays she spent five years as planning and design director at Tesco throughout the strongest period of the supermarket’s growth.

She began her career at Sainsbury’s and spent more than a decade with the retail giant, the highlight of which was the development of the convenience store format in the shape of Sainsbury’s Local.

She sits on the UK board of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and has used her extensive experience to act as a coach and mentor to other female executives.

Peter Rollings, CEO of Marsh & Parsons, part of LSL, said: “It is indicative of Marsh & Parsons’ direction that we have been able to attract an individual of Helen’s calibre to our senior management team.

“She brings extensive experience of managing and overhauling some of the UK’s most well-known retail giants and I am confident that she can help take Marsh & Parsons to the next level, and further our high-street recognition.”

Sachdev said: “Marsh & Parsons has a long and proud history, and while being respectful of these traditions, I will also be looking at ways that its name and branch network can stay relevant, as the way people buy and sell property continues to evolve.”