Ben Southworth has joined Fisher German as its chief operating officer as the company focuses on a new phase of growth over the next five years.
Described as a top business strategist with 25 years’ experience in change management and consultancy, Southworth will "drive the delivery of the firm’s growth strategy" and lead its shared services team.
Southworth was part of the senior team that led the rescue and turnaround plan for the Co-op Group during its period of crisis in 2014, and has also worked for Deloitte, KPMG and Accenture.
He will work closely with the directors in Fisher German’s shared services division, which includes functions such as HR, IT, finance, marketing and communications, to deliver a "clear and cohesive plan" for the division.
The hire comes after Fisher German grew to 800 employees across 26 offices. Southworth most recently oversaw the growth of start-up social housing specialists Place Capital Group, growing its workforce to 50 people.
Andrew Bridge, managing partner at Fisher German, said in a statement: "Fisher German’s growth, both through organic means as well as acquisitions, has got the company to a stage where it is ready to take that next leap into a new era.
"Reflecting on our business plans for 2024-29, we need the correct structure and operational efficiencies in place to realise our ambitions. As such, we have appointed Ben to lead shared services as I focus on my other responsibilities to the Partnership, our clients and the wider firm."
He added: "After weathering the storm of the pandemic and the subsequent challenges of the property market to grow to our largest size, we’re looking forward to building on this success with Ben as our new COO."
Fisher German re-elected Bridge for a third term in April after helping the company grow to a record size. He will stay on as managing partner until at least April 2028, having first been elected in 2019.
His re-election followed Fisher German’s merger with the former Matthews & Goodman in 2022, and the opening of a major new office in Birmingham in late 2023.