Robert Noel (businessman)

Robert Montague Noel (born 12 June 1964) is a British businessman and the current chairman of Hammerson and Taylor Wimpey, both listed companies on the London Stock Exchange. He was the former chief executive of Land Securities, the largest commercial property company in the UK, from 2012 until March 2020.

Robert Noel
Born	(1964-06-12) 12 June 1964 (age 61)
Nationality	British
Education	Marlborough College
Alma mater	University of Reading
Occupation	Businessman
Years active	1985–present
Title	Chairman, Hammerson
Term	September 2020-
Predecessor	David Tyler
Successor	Incumbent
Spouse	Sophie Noel
Children	3

Early life

Noel was educated at Marlborough College.^[1] He went on to study at the University of Reading and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1986.^[2] He is a qualified chartered surveyor.^[1]

Career

On 31 March 2012, Noel succeeded Francis Salway as chief executive of Land Securities. Noel had been managing director of the company's London properties, having joined Land Securities in January 2010 from Great Portland Estates plc, where he had been property director since 2002.^[3]

Noel has had other roles as chairman of the Westminster Property Association, a Director of The New West End Company and a trustee and director of the charity LandAid.^[4]

In March 2020, he stood down as chief executive of Land Securities.^[5]

In September 2020, he was appointed as the chairman of Hammerson plc.^[6]

In December 2022, it was announced that Noel would succeed Irene Dorner as chair of Taylor Wimpey after the company's April 2023 AGM.^[7]

Personal life

Noel and his French wife Sophie have a son and two daughters, and own homes in London and Frinton-on-Sea, Essex.^[8] Noel has a tattoo on his bottom (believed to be an elephant), obtained in Thailand in his youth.^[8]