John Whittaker, chairman of Peel Holding, has taken a 12.3% stake in Pinewood Shepperton to become the film studio’s second-largest shareholder. Financial Times

Whittaker, who spends much of his time in the Isle of Man, is known for spotting undervalued property assets, and through Peel, his privately owned property and investment company, he holds three airports, the Trafford Centre shopping mall, the Manchester Ship Canal and the Mersey Docks.

Peel is also developing the BBC’s new Media City in Salford.

The Pinewood stake could be an extension of Whittaker’s media ambitions, but with its large property holdings, the studios are likely to offer development opportunities.