Maxwell James, executive director of Quintain, will take over the top job, with finance director Rebecca Worthington also promoted to deputy chief executive.

Adrian Wyatt OBE, said: “After 20 years leading Quintain, the time is right for me to hand over the reins to the next generation to take the business forward.

“I am proud of everything we have achieved and there is no better leadership for Quintain than the combination of Max and Becky. I remain passionate about the business and look forward to it fulfilling its potential in the years to come.”

William Rucker, chairman of Quintain said that Wyatt’s passion for London regeneration had paved the way for two of the capital’s most exciting schemes in Wembley and Greenwich Peninsular.

“His ability to steer the business through the turbulence of the credit crisis to where it is today, is a significant achievement.”