Friends of Mark Ashton and his secretary Jo Bridge battled the freezing conditions and ventured to the Lamb & Flag in Covent Garden last night for their leaving party from Land Securities.

Those congratulating Mark on his move to investment firm Astranta in Jermyn Street included Francis Salway, chief executive of Land Securities, Richard Akers managing director of retail at Land Securities and Mike Prentice, head of retail development at CB Richard Ellis.

The wine flowed and a good time was had by all despite it being the first week back at work after Christmas on an arctic January night.

Pictures of the night