Mr Tonkiss, who is currently Chief Operating Officer (COO), will take up his new role until a replacement CEO for Clive Fenton is found.
Mr Fenton announced he was retiring on 18 June.
McCarthy & Stone said: "Following the announcement on 18 June 2018 that Clive Fenton will be retiring as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of McCarthy & Stone plc ("the Group") on 31 August 2018, the Group confirms that it is conducting a formal search process to appoint a replacement CEO.
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"The Group will be considering both internal and external candidates for the role during the process.
"In the meantime, Paul Lester, Chairman of the Group, will be spending more time with the business helping the executive team to develop the new strategy for the Group. John Tonkiss, Chief Operating Officer of the Group, will assume the role of Interim CEO from 1 September 2018 until the search process has been concluded and a replacement CEO is in post."
(LM/MH)
