PROPERTY and construction consultancy Gleeds has announced that David Johnson will take on the role of chief operating officer (COO) and join the group board from the beginning of March.
David has been with Gleeds for over 40 years, joining the organisation in 1983 and most recently held the position of MD for Gleeds Europe, based in Madrid. His new role will see him return to the UK where he will oversee operations across all regions.
Salar Farzad, who previously held the COO role, will retain the position of chief financial officer (CFO) and assume the new responsibilities of chief administrative officer (CAO). As dual CFO and CAO, Salar will oversee Gleeds’ financial strategy, ensure fiscal responsibility, and provide oversight for various administrative functions.
Richard Steer, chair of Gleeds Worldwide, said, “David is one of our longest-serving senior executives, originally joining Gleeds in 1983 and growing his expertise over four decades. As a result, he has unparalleled knowledge of the business, so is the ideal candidate for this position. I’m grateful to Salar, who has acted as a driving force behind our recent operational success, helped deliver our migration to LLP status and is playing a pivotal role in creating a solid foundation upon which David can build.”
David Johnson added, “I’m extremely proud that my career has been spent helping Gleeds grow. I have seen us evolve from a predominantly UK-focused cost consultancy into the global, multi-disciplinary organisation it is today. It’s been a privilege to have been involved in that journey and I look forward to continuing it as chief operating officer, supporting colleagues and clients as we begin the next exciting chapter.”
