THE Duke of Westminster is looking for a “hands-on” executive to handle the “complex job” of running Liverpool One.

He was speaking days after the shock departure of high-profile CEO Joanne Jennings.

Ms Jennings left the £1bn shopping and leisure centre after 18 months in the top job, saying it was time to move to “new challenges”, although she is not thought to have moved directly to another role.

Asked about Ms Jennings’s resignation, the Duke said: “I don’t talk about personnel matters. There’s a lot of change going on, but we need to go forward. It’s not a change of strategy or anything like that.

“This is 43 acres of buildings, very much multi-use. We’ve got our small tenants, big tenants, residential tenants; they all have their needs and worries.

“You’ve got to be hands-on to manage a commercial estate. When you’re responsible for the streets, and for the parks, it’s a complex job.

“We’re hands-on managers rather than hands-off.”

The Duke confirmed Ms Jennings’s former post is currently being advertised.

He continued: “There’s a huge management task to be done here in the future and one would look for someone with all those skills.”

Ms Jennings said last week: “As we have now delivered Liverpool One’s three-year business plan, which will provide a road map up to 2011, I feel the time is right for me to move on to new challenges.”

The Duke was at Liverpool One for the official opening of One Park West, the Cesar Pelli-designed apartment block fronting The Strand. Agents King Sturge hope the first owners will move in today.

They have sold 140 of the 326 flats in the building.

Martyn Green, a King Sturge partner, said the development was the best performing in his company’s portfolio.

One Park West includes 13 three-bedroom apartments, 11 of which have been sold. The final two are on the market for £500,000 and £450,000 respectively.

Grosvenor invited pupils from St Vincent de Paul Catholic primary school – the only school in the Liverpool One postcode – to paint pictures of the building. The best picture – by 10-year-old Patrick Graham – is now hanging behind the block’s front desk.