Rob Smith is taking over the reins from Paul Morrell as senior partner at quantity surveyor Davis Langdon & Everest.
Smith's appointment, effective on 1 May, was announced to DL&E staff this week. Smith's role will be to oversee the firm's UK, European and Middle Eastern activities.

Smith said Morrell, who will stay as a UK partner at DL&E, will concentrate on growing the business in other regions, such as North America.

Smith said of his new role: "It's a tough time to be taking over, but I'm very excited by the prospect.

I think we have a very good team here."

Smith's previous role as southern regional managing partner will be taken by Neil Morrison.

  • Ken Cheshire, a partner at DL&E's specialist arm Mott Green and Wall, died over Christmas.

    Cheshire, 45, was a key player in the merger of M&E services firm MGW with DL&E in 1999. His funeral was held on Tuesday.