Bob Scarff, head of Countrywide’s estate agency business until the end of this month, has dropped hints on Twitter that he will not be leaving the industry.

Scarff – one of the industry’s biggest names – was said last week to be “stepping down” from Countrywide, nine months after the arrival of chief executive Alison Platt from a non-property background at Bupa.

Pointedly, the Countrywide statement did not include any quotes from either Scarff or fellow director Nick Dunning, who was largely in charge of lettings and whose departure took immediate effect last Thursday

Scarff set up a Twitter account in a move quickly noticed by industry pundit and buying agent Henry Pryor.

Pryor tweeted: “Ah joining social media – necessary part of spending more time with the family.”

To that, Scarff replied: “Mmmmm, Mrs Scarff has other ideas.”

In another Twitter exchange, he essentially told recruiter Anthony Hesse that he was grateful but did not need help in finding another job.

The exchange was: “….after 37 years I’m leaving Countrywide on 29th May. More news to follow #excitingnewstart”

Hesse tweeted back: “Good luck Bob. Let me know if you need a job.”

To that, Scarff replied: “Of course, but I think I’ll be ok!!”

The loss to Countrywide of the vastly experienced Scarff and Dunning is being widely discussed.

Countrywide founder Harry Hill has also been busy on Twitter, saying: “Countrywide plc loss of market share continues with under 13k house exchanges in the first quarter. Good job the other divisions performed!”

However, those “other divisions” include lettings.

So far this year, other agents, including LSL and Foxtons, have also reported drops in sales during the first quarter of this year – backed up by Land Registry data.

Countrywide has named no successors to Scarff or Dunning, raising the question as to whether they have been sacked, made redundant or have indeed left for other reasons.