One of the most recognisable faces in Birmingham business has announced his retirement.

David Bucknall will step down as chairman from global cost consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall next month, putting an end to a career spanning half a century.

However, Mr Bucknall will continue to play a high profile role within the construction sector by continuing as chairman of the RICS Quantity Surveyors and Construction Professional Group and the Birmingham and Black Country Community Foundation.

Meanwhile, Ann Bentley is set to become the new UK chairman of Rider Levett Bucknall, which employs more than 2,700 people in 120 countries around the world.

Rider Levett Bucknall was founded as Bucknall Austin in 1947 by Charles Bucknall, David’s father.

David Bucknall joined the practice in 1962 and helped transform the firm into an international consultancy in 2007 when he led the merger between Rider Hunt, Levett and Bailey and Bucknall Austin.

Lance Taylor, chief executive of Rider Levett Bucknall said: “David has been pivotal in establishing Rider Levett Bucknall as a 21st century global player. His innovation and passion has driven both the firm and the quantity surveying profession as a whole into the cutting edge profession it is today.

“I am delighted that he will continue to play a high profile role within the industry, especially in his role at RICS, and within Rider Levett Bucknall and the Protégé scheme.”

Born in Wolverhampton, Mr Bucknall studied at Birmingham College of Art & Technology, now part of Birmingham City University, and qualified as a quantity surveyor in 1961 when he joined the family firm. He has always lived in the West Midlands with his wife Moya.

Over the past 50 years, Mr Bucknall has helped convert the traditional back office quantity surveying role into a cutting edge discipline of the 21st century.

After stepping down in September, he will continue to play a high profile role within the construction sector with particular focus on promoting best practice and attracting young surveyors to the quantity surveying profession.

The life-long Wolverhampton Wanderers fan will also remain an integral part of the Rider Levett Bucknall Protégé scheme, a graduate recruitment initiative that he launched seven years ago.

Ms Bentley transfers from her role as operations director, running the 450-strong organisation’s seven UK offices, to take on the role and also takes a seat on the firm’s nine-strong global board.

Born in 1961, Ms Bentley trained as a civil engineer and after starting her career with British Rail she went on to become one of the first females employed at the network to join the Institution of Civil Engineers.

She joined the then Bucknall Austin as a project manager in 1989 and was a key player in the management buy-out of the business in 2003.