Mace international chief operating officer Marcus Burley is stepping down from the group board at the end of December with Mandy Willis joining as group director for corporate strategy, the firm has announced.

Marcus joined Mace in 1998, and has served as our COO for international since 2010. He led Mace’s overseas expansion and ground-breaking international assignments, including Jumeirah Beach Residence, the Mall of Emirates and the early phase of Dubai Expo 2020.

Mandy Willis was previously an external advisor to Mace and since joining the company full-time three years ago has made a significant contribution assisting the development of group services and its corporate finance strategy.

In her new role she will be advising and leading on a wide range of activities which are critical to delivering Mace’s 2022 strategy. These include advising on joint ventures and acquisitions, funding, financing, tax and corporate structuring.

Mark Reynolds, chief executive of Mace, said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mandy Willis as Mace’s group director for corporate strategy. The group Board and I welcome her to our group Board. Mandy’s appointment ensures we are well placed to take full advantage of future opportunities and are better able to deliver our 2022 strategy.

“This is undoubtedly an exciting time to work at Mace and this appointment demonstrates how we will take the right decisions to equip us with the skills and capability to take advantage of emerging opportunities, new innovations and the changing expectations of employees and clients.

“I would also like to thank Marcus Burley for his nearly 20 years of service to Mace, and the last seven years contributing to our group Board. He has led the company’s overseas expansion and I am in no doubt that without him we wouldn’t be in the strong position that we find ourselves today. I wish him and his family well for the future.”

Mandy Willis, newly appointed group Board director at Mace said: “I am delighted to join the Mace Group Board and look forward to working closely with my fellow board members.

“Having been involved closely with Mace’s strategy – both as an external consultant and then in-house –I have seen how the business has grown, matured and is now more than ever able to bring a better perspective to bear on our clients challenges.

“This is one of the most exciting times in Mace’s history, and I am looking forward to helping to shape our future.”

Marcus Burley, departing COO for international and group Board member at Mace, added: “Mace has provided me with a challenging career in an ever changing landscape of geographies and high calibre colleagues and clients.

“During my time with the company, I have witnessed and been part of growing the number of people we employ tenfold and creating a business with over 30% of it outside the UK - something we have every right to be proud of.

“While I’ve now decided it’s time to pursue quieter activities, I have no doubt that the company will continue to prosper and leave its mark across major projects and developments globally.”