Ex-Countrywide CEO joins Landwood

Harry Hill, the former chairman and chief executive of Countrywide, has joined the Landwood Group, the chartered surveyor, asset manager and auctioneer, as a non-executive director.

Hill said he was looking forward to contributing "ideas and guidance to the directors and senior management team" at Landwood, based in Peter Street, central Manchester.

Mark Bailey, director of Landwood, which has offices in Leeds, Birmingham and London, said: "This is a tremendous coup for us. Harry Hill's expertise, network and experience will be invaluable to us. We have worked with Harry on an informal basis in the past and we are now delighted to welcome him aboard in a more official capacity.

Landwood deals with plant and machinery and property assets for banks, insolvency practitioners and large private clients. The company employs 20 people and is forecasting £2m turnover this year.

Bailey and Hill worked together between 2006 and 2008 at Countrywide. Bailey was managing director of the legal arm of Countrywide. Bailey added: "[Hill's] decision is join us is a resounding endorsement of the progress we have made, and the reputation we have forged, since we set up the company six years ago. To be able to attract someone of Harry's calibre is extremely satisfying. He will play a pivotal role in the growth of our business as we continue to expand and to provide the best possible service for our clients."

Hill ran Countrywide for 20 years before selling the company for £1bn to US-based Apollo. During those 20 years, Rightmove was created and floated, and Chesnara was spun out of the group.