The Corporate Services Group has announced that Desmond Doyle, currently chief operating officer and chief financial officer, has become group chief executive.

John Rowley, currently UK chief executive, will move to the newly created position of group development director on 1 October 2007.

After more than two and half years with the group, Tony Martin (pictured) has decided to stand down as executive chairman and will retire from the Group on 30 September 2007.

Doyle will hand over his responsibilities as chief financial officer to Andrew Burchall, currently finance director of CSG's Healthcare business Medacs, who will fulfil the role until a permanent appointment is made.

Noel Harwerth, senior independent director, says: "We are extremely grateful for the strategic direction and operational focus that Tony Martin has brought to the Group over the last two and a half years, and there is no doubt that CSG is in a far better place now than when Tony joined.

"Desmond Doyle is the ideal person to carry the Group's strategy forward having worked closely with Tony Martin over the past two and half years. The Board looks forward to working with Desmond and John in their new roles to ensure its successful delivery."