London bourse begins search to replace CEO -media

NEW YORK, Oct 26 (Reuters) - London Stock Exchange Group Plc (LSE.L) has hired a recruiting firm to find a successor to its long-time chief executive, Clara Furse, media reported.

Citing people close to the exchange operator, the Sunday Telegraph newspaper said Chris Gibson-Smith, the company's president, has discussed the move with Furse and other board members, but that no formal timetable has been agreed.

Furse, who has been with the LSE for eight years, will likely remain on until the end of 2009, and no list of candidates exists, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. (Reporting by Jonathan Spicer; Editing by Phil Berlowitz)