In a short 50-word statement, the house builder said Carey, who had been in the inner sanctum of Berkeley Holdings, had left “with immediate effect”.

Carey headed Berkeley’s successful central London housing development business, St George for many years.

Berkeley chairman Tony Pidgley said:  “The board of Berkeley wishes to thank Tony Carey for his significant contribution to the main board over the past 17 years”.

There was no further reason given for his exit. Last year the 62-year-old picked up a pay package of over £1m, comprised of a £600,000 bonus for work at St George.