One of the stalwarts of the Midlands property scene is retiring after nearly four decades in the industry.

King Sturge’s Chris Monk, who joined the company in 1995 as managing partner, sitting on the company’s main strategy board, will hand the reigns to Ian Cornock who took up the position 15 months ago.

Now aged 60, Mr Monk has been a chartered surveyor for 39 years and whilst he’s stepping down from King Sturge, he hopes to remain active in both the business community and working for local charities. 

He is currently a non-executive director of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital as well as being on the fund-raising events committee at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Last year when he married his partner Lou at St Paul’s Square the couple asked for donations to a special project aimed at engaging children with special needs in music.

Prior to becoming a partner at King Sturge, Mr Monk was a national director at DTZ plc, an equity partner at Chesshire Gibson and worked for Richard Ellis (now CBRE) and Legal & General Assurance Society. 

During his time at King Sturge Mr Monk has always taken a keen interest in the city.

He has been a chairman of professional services organisation Birmingham Forward and at Advantage West Midlands, a chair of the Cluster Chairs and a member of the Regional Enterprise Board until December of last year.

Mr Monk has also taken an international role in America, sitting on the board of the Society of Industrial & Office Realtors.

Richard Batten, senior partner of King Sturge, said: “Chris has been a major asset to the company.  He has played an integral role in taking King Sturge and the Birmingham office forward, leading a top quality team to make it one of our most successful and largest regional offices. 

“I know he has a passion for and has made a major contribution to Birmingham, working with several professional bodies to help further the city both within the UK and North America. 

“He is an extremely committed and well-liked individual and has always put his heart and soul into work, for which we are all very grateful. We will miss him.”

Mr Monk said: “I’m sad to be leaving King Sturge in such difficult times. 

“I’m confident, however, that they will weather the storm better than most.  They are financially secure, offer a strong range of skills and with the quality of people on board they have the experience to seize opportunities and come out the other end.

“Being only of a tender age, myself, I still hope to be very much engaged with the local property scene and keep a watchful eye over King Sturge’s progress.  I have made many good friends and close contacts during my career and tried to play an active role in the city. 

“I have always had high hopes for Birmingham and I would still like to use my considerable experience of the city to continue assisting with its growth.”