Ernst & Young announced that it has garnered the audit contract for FTSE 100 giant Land Securities Group plc - the largest listed commercial property company in the UK - following a competitive tender process.

The firm has maintained its position as market leader in the audit of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) globally, auditing the largest REITs in the USA, Australia, France and Canada (the four largest REIT markets in the world) - and now the UK.

This latest audit win means that E&Y now holds 33% such audits, when considered by market value of the real estate constituents of the 2012 Forbes Global 2000 index.

Hywel Ball, head of assurance, UK & Ireland at EY, says: 'We have always been extremely proud to be associated with the leading owners of real estate across the world and our UK real estate practice, comprising 325 real estate specialists, is delighted and honoured to be selected as the auditor of such a prestigious organisation as Land Securities.'

Land Securities are among several FTSE 100 companies who have put their audit contracts out to tender, in line with recommendations from the revised UK Corporate Governance Code in 2012.

In the last 12 months, EY secured the audit contracts for FTSE 100-listed BG Group, as well as Dyson and the Audit Commission.

Energy giant Cairn dropped E&Y in March and replaced it with PwC, while HSBC embarked on a review of its current auditor HSBC in the same month.

Dutch-listed insurance group Aegon announced in Februrary plans to change audit firm from E&Y to PwC.