The boss of major shopping centre owner Hammerson is stepping down after 10 years in the role.
David Atkins will leave the property group, which owns Bristol’s Cabot Circus, by next spring at the latest, the company said.
Mr Akins, who will “work closely” with the company until a successor is appointed, joined Hammerson in 1998 and became chief executive in 2009 - a year after Cabot Circus opened.
He said: "It has been a privilege to have led Hammerson for over 10 years and I am proud of the many achievements and the incredible colleagues I have worked with.
"The current environment, exacerbated by the impact of Covid-19, is undoubtedly the most challenging we have faced as a business.
"I feel now is the right time to search for a new chief executive, a person who can not only lead the business as we emerge from this period but also into its next chapter."
Chairman David Tyler added: "On behalf of the board, I would like to thank David for his enormous commitment in leading Hammerson during the past decade.
"He has led the company with ambition, passion and integrity, creating a culture that will live far beyond his time.
"He has developed Hammerson significantly through the growth of our premium outlets business, the geographical diversification of our portfolio, our market leading sustainability framework and the establishment of our City Quarters strategy.”
In February, Hammerson posted a drop in rental income of £39million in its full year results for 2019 and announced it was slashing dividends by half.
The company has been undertaking a concerted programme of disposals in recent years, aimed at reducing its debt and strengthening its balance sheet.
The news comes as non-essential retailers prepare to re-open on June 15.
Cabot Circus is currently closed to all non essential retail and the only shops that are open are HSBC, Lloyds Bank, Nationwide, and Holland and Barrett.
