Berkeley Group has declined to comment on the reasons behind the sudden departure of Tony Carey, the managing director of the firm’s St George business, after 17 years on the main board of the company.

Amid market speculation of a senior management bust-up, a source close to the group said Carey “didn’t share Berkeley’s ’vision 2020’ green growth strategy”, which was launched in June by group managing director Rob Perrins.

Carey is thought to have been close to Berkeley Group chairman and founder Tony Pidgley, who was succeeded last year by former finance director Perrins.

Carey, through control of St George, had been central to the success of Berkeley’s move into urban regeneration. During his time at the firm, St George was responsible for the award-winning Imperial Wharf and Battersea Reach developments, as well as early involvement in the King’s Cross regeneration.

In a statement to the City late last week, the London housebuilder and regeneration specialist said: “The Berkeley Group announces that Tony Carey has left the board of Berkeley with immediate effect.”

Pidgley thanked Carey on behalf of the board.