Mike Slade set to sail

Mike Slade has mapped out his sailing itinerary for the next year, having stepped down as chief executive of Helical Bar following the company’s annual general meeting.

Slade, one of the UK property industry’s best-known characters, will be sailing his beloved Leopard super yacht around the Mediterranean this autumn, taking in Palma, Sardiania and St Tropez, before a race across the Atlantic, squeezing in a “huge party” for his 70th birthday next month.

“You needn’t worry about me, we’re going to have a lot of fun,” Slade told Estates Gazette.

Despite stepping down as chief executive, Slade will continue to be a major shareholder in Helical Bar and is staying on as non-executive chairman.

“I’m leaving this to Gerald [Kaye, the new chief executive] and his team, the most competent pair of hands I could possibly leave the company in,” Slade said.