Madelin, who led Argent’s King’s Cross development team, will join the developer in February and also sit on British Land’s executive committee.

British Land has been steadily assembling parcels of land at Canada Water in south east London and now has potential for around 5.5m sq ft of office, retail, residential, leisure, educational and community space.

The major, long term project will be delivered in several phases to deliver a mixed-use town centre development.

British Land is currently working with the London Borough of Southwark and local communities to deliver the Canada Water Masterplan and expects to submit a planning application by the end of next year.

Chris Grigg, chief executive, said: “Roger Madelin is a highly experienced developer and brings enormous experience of delivering major mixed-use developments.

“Placemaking lies at the heart of what we do and I look forward to working with Roger to create a vibrant new destination for London that caters for a wide range of modern needs.”

Madelin, said: “The combination of the physical opportunity at Canada Water, working with British Land and with the thoughtful and ambitious London Borough of Southwark was an opportunity too exciting to turn down.

“I have had an amazing 29 years at Argent. The completion of the last phases of King’s Cross are in talented and safe hands.”