Clients have voiced concern over the sudden and unexplained resignation of Davis Langdon global chief executive Jeremy Horner.
Horner took the position during the firm’s merger with Aecom in October 2010, but resigned this week, just months after completing a senior level restructure, reports Building.
Aecom declined to offer any explanation for the departure, which comes after 33 partners left the firm during the restructure in October. Aecom said Bob Pell will replace Horner under the new role of global chief executive of its programme, cost and consultancy practice, which includes Davis Langdon.
Vinod Thakrar, director of project management at developer Hammerson, said the lack of an explanation for Horner’s departure and the recent loss of many directors “does make you think twice” about working with them in future.
Flan McNamara, project director at Sellar Developments, which is working with Davis Langdon on the Shard, said: “The instability would perhaps concern us if we were starting another project.” But he added his main concern was whether the consultant had the skills to meet the needs of each project and that so far the Shard had been unaffected.
Hanif Kara, partner at engineer AKT II, said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if many others follow suit [in leaving]. Davis Langdon is gaining abroad but losing out in terms of the high-end service in London. DL used to be the first name on any team in London but now not as often.”
Horner is a former finance director at DL and was with the firm for 20 years and led the restructuring of the business to focus more on infrastructure and overseas work after the purchase.
