The Unite Group plc announced that Phil White has advised the board of directors that he will retire as Chairman and step down from the Board with effect from 31 March 2021, as previously announced in the company's 2019 annual report and accounts. Phil will be succeeded by Richard Huntingford who is the Chairman of Future plc. Richard will join the Unite board as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman Designate on 1 December 2020 and will assume the role of Chairman on 1 April 2021. Phil was appointed Chairman of the Unite Board in 2010. As previously announced, Phil's tenure on the Board was extended following the Liberty Living acquisition to ensure continuity during a critical stage of the integration of the business. Phil had previously indicated that he would not offer himself for re-election at the 2021 Annual General Meeting. Richard, a chartered accountant, has over thirty years of plc board experience including as Chief Executive of Chrysalis Group plc between 2000 and 2007 and as a Non-Executive Director of Virgin Mobile Holdings (UK) plc. His Chair roles have included Wireless Group plc (formerly UTV Media plc), Creston plc and Crown Place VCT plc. In addition to chairing Future plc (since February 2018), Richard is a Non-Executive Director of JP Morgan Mid Cap Investment Trust plc and The Bankers Investment Trust plc.