Macquarie Group chairman David Clarke has retired as chairman of the board of industrial property group Goodman Group following a bout of illness, according to an Australian Securities Exchange statement.

Clarke, who has been chairman of the Goodman Group since 2000, has decided to focus on a smaller number of board positions in the not-for-profit sector.

Ian Ferrier will continue as act as acting chairman in place of Clarke, who has been on a leave of absence since November 28.