CHICAGO-Changes are taking place at the top, or near the top, at any rate, at Jones Lang LaSalle with two C-Suite promotions, and in a rare move for this industry, a woman has gained the chief executive’s chair. Lauralee Martin is being bumped up from her current post as chief operating and financial officer to Americas CEO. She replaces Peter Roberts, who in turn has been named chief strategy officer. Both promotions will kick in the first of the year.

GlobeSt.com will follow up with more details on the promotions tomorrow. But according to the house statement, Roberts engineered a six-fold growth in annual revenues during his decade-long tenure.

“Peter has played a leading role in making Jones Lang LaSalle the premier commercial real estate brand in the Americas,” said Colin Dyer, CEO of JLL. “In the newly created role of chief strategy officer, he will combine his real estate expertise, client-first perspective and critical thinking to help implement our growth strategy for the future.”

As for Martin, “at a time when our business is increasingly characterized by the need for clarity and speed,” said Dyer, “she will focus the Americas on driving client services, increasing productivity and investing in our people.”

Until a new CFO is appointed, Martin will retain responsibility for the function.