Thurber has held the CEO post since 1994 when Alex Brown, Kleinwort Benson Realty Advisors merged with LaSalle Partners to become Jones Lang LaSalle. She is the former CEO of ABKB and, prior to that, was a principal at Morgan Stanley & Co. In her new role as chairman of LaSalle, Thurber will focus on further development of client relationships, provide guidance to senior management and serve on selected investment committees and advisory boards of LaSalle-sponsored funds.

Jacobson has been with LaSalle for 16 years and was named CEO of the European region in June 2000. As CEO of LaSalle Investment Management, he will remain based in London.

In a statement, Colin Dyer, JLL corporate CEO, credited Thurber with building "a strong global platform and a deep and stable senior management team. I am pleased that she can step back…and enjoy her accomplishments while still remaining involved with our clients and people through her role as chairman."