Landsec appoints Vanessa Simms as its next finance chief

Property giant Land Securities has poached Vanessa Simms from Grainger to become its next finance chief.

FTSE 100 firm Landsec, which has a £12.8 billion property empire, said Simms, who has been chief financial officer at residential landlord Grainger since 2016, is expected to join the business by no later than June next year.

Simms, who has previously worked at property companies Unite and Segro, will succeed Martin Greenslade who is planning to step down in 2021.

The appointment comes shortly after Landsec’s new boss Mark Allan said the company will look to exit retail parks, leisure and hotels to focus on central London.

Allan today said Simms “brings a valuable combination of expertise and experience”.