Sheffield-based affordable house builder MJ Gleeson plc said its chairman James Thomson “wishes to step down from the board and has resigned as a director with effect from 23 April 2025.”

Fiona Goldsmith, senior independent director, has assumed on an interim basis the role of chair, as well as chair of the nominations committee, until a successor has been appointed.

Gleeson said that after serving as CEO since June 2019 Thomson was appointed chair in January 2023. Following a successful transition period since Graham Prothero was appointed CEO in 2023, and with growing demands on his time across his other activities, “James believes that this is the right time to step down.”

Goldsmith said: “On behalf of the board I would like to thank James for the part he has played, both as chief executive and chair, in building MJ Gleeson into the business that it is today. We wish him well for the future as he turns his focus fully on to his other activities, particularly in the City of London.”

Thomson said: “We have achieved much over the last six years and I would like to thank all of my colleagues for their support and generosity during my time at the business. I wish Graham Prothero and his team all the best for the future and look forward to watching the company’s continued success and future progress with great interest.”