British house-builder Persimmon has poached Dean Finch from transport operator National Express to succeed David Jenkinson as chief executive.

Finch, 53, is expected to take up the post at the end of the year, Persimmon said on Wednesday.

National Express said it had started a search for Finch's replacement and would consider both internal and externalcandidates. 

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by James Davey)