Nick Leslau has pulled off a property masterstroke. The founder of Prestbury, Mr Leslau has poached Mike Brown, deputy chief of Helical Bar, to join Prestbury — a move that surprised the market given his position as successor to Mike Slade.

Mr Brown will reportedly become chief executive of Max Property, Mr Leslau’s new £200m investment company that has the backing of hedge fund group Och-Ziff.