David Naylor-Leyland
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
Non-Executive Director
London, GB
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
THE MARQUE
In Their Own Right
Biography
Since leaving the Army I have twice built my own business in Central London. Firstly, in the 80s, a residential property development company converting circa 40 buildings in and around South Kensington into over 200 flats. Then in the 90s and early 2000s a boutique hotel company, which was sold in 2006.
Having sold the hotels, I now spend the majority of my time as a non-executive Director or Chairman of various companies that seek a direct and entrepreneurial view.
The Record
Background
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2010 — Present
Non-Executive Director
Telent
A technology services company with one of the largest engineering field forces of its kind in the country. The company provides a range of network and communications services to industries including transport, telecommunications and the emergency services. David served as Chairman for 12 years before stepping down in September 2022. He continues to serve as a Non-Executive Director of the company.
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1981 — 1990
Founder and CEO
Flaxman Properties Ltd
Specialised in high quality residential development in Central London. The company was started from the sale of own home and by 1988 had become more broadly based to include commercial and industrial developments.
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1978 — 1981
Residential Sales Negotiator
Aylesford and Company
Residential sales negotiator becoming a Director of the Company in 1980.
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1974 — 1978
Lieutenant
The British Army
Lieutenant in The Life Guards commanding a reconnaissance troop of armoured cars. Promoted to acting Captain as ADC to Lieutenant General R G Gard on the Kermit Roosevelt Lecture Tour 1978.
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1990 — 2006
Founder and CEO
Townhouse Hotel Investments Ltd
David Naylor-Leyland purchased and then developed buildings in Central London to create townhouse/boutique hotels, The Egerton House Hotel, and The Franklin Hotel. The success of these hotels under adverse market conditions, enabled the company to attract Private Equity support to buy Dukes Hotel in 1994. The hotels were sold in 2005 and 2006 realising significant profits for the investors.
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2008 — 2015
Non-Executive Chairman
IHSL
The European market leader in Video on Demand and High Speed Internet Access providing services in up to 400,000 hotel rooms and whose Sensiq product is offered to guests in 25 languages. Working with the world’s leading hotels and hotel groups including InterContinental Hotels Group, Accor, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International.
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2010 — 2018
Chairman
Fleming Family & Partners Wealth Planning Ltd
Chairman of Fleming Family and Partners Wealth Planning Ltd, a company engaged in the business of Family Wealth Management.
Formative Years
Education
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Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Short Service Commission, SUO
1974 — 1974
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Eton College
1968 — 1973
Areas Of Focus