Rucker, 60, the current chairman of asset manager Intermediate Capital Group, had held the role at housebuilder Crest Nicholson as well for more than seven years till 2018.

Separately, pub group Marston's said Rucker would step down as chair of the group after more than five years in the role.

Rucker, who was also the former CEO and chairman at investment bank Lazard, will join the British Land board as a non-executive director and take up the role after the property firm's annual general meeting on July 9.

Sky News was the first to report on Rucker's appointment on Sunday.

(Reporting by Radhika Anilkumar and Aby Jose Koilparambil in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)