Hammerson has appointed a new chief financial officer who will also be made executive director on joining the company in September.

James Lenton will join the company as executive director on September 16 and will start his new role as chief financial officer on October 1.

Lenton – a chartered accountant – has held various finance roles and previously worked as chief financial officer at investment firm AIG and partner at Ernst & Young.

Lenton succeeds the current chief financial officer and managing director of premium outlets – which accounts for 27% of Hammerson’s property portfolio – Timon Drakesmith.

Drakesmith will step down from his roles on October 1 and will leave the company on November 15 after a handover period with Lenton.

Chair of the board David Tyler said: “We look forward to welcoming James to the business. During his career he has demonstrated significant success in working with and managing complex organisations which are experiencing periods of substantial change.

“We expect his track record in this area, combined with his ability to bring a fresh perspective, to be very valuable to the ongoing management and performance of Hammerson.”