Collins steps into the role after Bill Shannon retired last May after nine years on the board and three as head of the business, which includes Primis, TMA Club and E.Surv.     

Collins will also chair the firm’s nominations committee and join the remuneration Committee.   

The new head of the business will formally stand for election at the firm’s annual meeting on 20 June in London.   

Collins spent 25 years at fund manager Gartmore, where he became managing director, and has also held senior roles at Liontrust, Jupiter, Bestinvest and Lazard Investors.  

In 1995, he became one of the founders of fund news and research site Trustnet.  

Over the last five years, Collins has held several board posts, and is currently chair of Logistics Development Group plc (formerly Eddie Stobart Logistics) and a non-executive director of Hargreaves Lansdown.  

LSL Property Services group chief executive David Stewart says: “Adrian is hugely experienced, with a track record of growing businesses and creating value.”  

Collins adds: “I have been struck by the enthusiasm and commitment of the whole Board, and I look forward to helping them drive the business forward to create value for our shareholders.”  

Last month, the group said income from its surveying and valuation business was 50% higher per day than a year ago, while group profit was “materially ahead” of expectations, in a trading update.  

It added that its surveying and valuation business “was at its highest level since the market disruption that followed the mini-Budget in October 2022, and approaching the very strong performance recorded in the first quarter of 2022”.