Market Report: Taking Stock

Corporate Executive Search International, the headhunter, hit the right spot yesterday when it poached a new chief executive from rival firm Russell Reynolds. The company, which is listed on AIM, added 0.5p to close at 4p after appointing Roger Evans. At the same time, it said Mark Shields, managing director and one of the founders, would relinquish his role. He will remain on the board, but will work on a project-by-project basis, Corporate Executive said.

Prestbury Group, the AIM-quoted property company, is rumoured to be gearing up for some kind of corporate activity. The company, which closed up 0.25p to 5.25p, is headed by Nick Leslau. Prestbury bought Mr Leslau's own private property company, Edenhawk, for pounds 11.5m last month.