UK business was told last week about plan to reduce 30% of director posts

Senior staff changes have taken place at consultant Davis Langdon’s “global” division following the executive cull in the UK revealed by Building last week.

Erland Rendall, Davis Langdon’s global head of thought leadership, is to leave the business in May next year. The firm declined to comment on the reasons for his departure.

In addition, the managing director of Europe, John Hicks, has stepped down from that role at the global business after 12 months in the position, leaving the post vacant.

He has now taken up a new post of head for government and public, covering all of Europe.

Hicks insisted nothing should be read into the move, which he said was just part of the regular shift in roles under Aecom to adapt to the market.

Jeremy Horner, chief executive of Davis Langdon, said: “John’s many years of public sector experience and in-depth understanding of government will be vital in our efforts to take advantage of the opportunities within the UK while expanding our public sector offer into new countries.”

Alan Baker has separately been appointed managing director for Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Republics.

The news comes after directors in the UK business were last week told the provisional outcome to the consultation to reduce about 30% of director posts, set to see at least 40 leave the business. A spokesperson refused to confirm exactly how many or which directors will go, saying the process was still technically ongoing.