Former DTZ director Paul Smith has recruited the head of CB Richard Ellis’s West End business team to join his new start up firm.

Rob Hayes, who took over the running of the West End team in September last year, declined to comment on his departure.

He is the latest high profile agent to resign in order to join the Smith-led business which is to launch next month.

David Hanrahan, equity partner at King Sturge and John Olney, partner at Lewis Ellis, are both also departing their respective firms to team up with Smith.