The well-known chief executive of Fine & Country, David Lindley, is standing down.

An announcement from the agency came late this morning and stated that as part of a new management structure David Lindley would be stepping down from his post “at the end of May” to “pursue other business interests.”

A new chief executive will be found in due course but the former managing director of the Property Academy, Nicky Stevenson, has been named as managing director of Fine & Country UK.

Stevenson will focus on the UK licensee’s network “to grow its market share in the premium market” according to the announcement.

“I am delighted to take on the role … We enjoy great relationships with our network of individual agents across the country, and I look forward to building on them over the months and years to come, whilst continuing to evolve our agent benefits through our leading marketing and technology platforms” says Stevenson.

“We are a young and ambitious company, with big growth plans. I am excited to work with the team to build on our already enviable position of ‘fastest growing premium brand in estate agency’ as we seek to further grow the brand across the country.”

While Stevenson looks after the brand’s UK growth, Daniel Harrington, who has been in the business for five and half years, will be focusing on London and international offices.

The international team will be further strengthened by South African based Linda Erasmus as the brand’s international ambassador.

Lindley made the decision to quit some six weeks ago; Jon Cooke will operate as interim global CEO until a permanent replacement is found.