David Lench, group managing director of Arun Estates, is to step down this summer after almost 40 years’ service.
Following the surprise announcement, it has been confirmed that he will be replaced by long-serving right-hand man, Aldo Sotgiu, currently the group’s managing director of operations.
Lench said: “As you can imagine, this has not been a decision that has been easy to make, but two years ago I decided the time was approaching when I would pass the reigns over to Aldo.
“I have worked with him for much of my career and am totally confident that there will be a very smooth transition, with the continued success of the company assured. I wish Aldo every success and would ask you all to support him in the way that you have helped me over the years”.
Lench revealed that his final day as Group MD will be Wednesday 30th June – a week after social distancing rules are (hopefully) removed. However, he added that he will continue his involvement with Arun, overseeing the business on behalf of chairman Paul Rooney and providing advice and support wherever needed.
In addition to his stepping down, Lench also announced a raft of initiatives designed to further promote the business ahead of Arun’s 30th anniversary this month. The most immediately visible of these will be a major rebranding exercise and an ambitious, three-year refurbishment programme for all 100-plus offices in the Group’s principal operating companies – Wards in Kent, Cubitt & West across Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, Douglas Allen in Essex and East London, and Pittis on the Isle of Wight.
The rebrand will feature the addition of a new premium gold colour to all marketing materials and websites, while the refurbishment programme will include new backlit fascias.
Also announced was a substantial investment in new communication and IT systems, a sharper focus on the group’s core service values delivered through enhanced training, and a significant further boost to staff morale through improvements to holiday and other conditions of employment. Finally, all management and staff will receive a special Arun 30th birthday bonus, linked to length of service, from Chairman Paul Rooney.
“With these changes in place,” Lench added, “and with Aldo at the helm, I believe Arun will be set up brilliantly to make the next 30 years even better than the first!”
BIG RESPECT from me!
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Having had the pleasure to have worked with David I can truly say he is one of the Industry “Greats” – a true professional, a real gentleman and a great mentor of people. In saying that he is handing over to a person, Aldo, who will not only replicate some of David’s successes but will probably enhance things further. Onwards and Upwards for ARUN Estates!
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A truly outstanding business and a great leader who quietly got on with the job in hand with minimal fuss and bother, carefully growing and developing the business whilst consistently generating excellent results. There is so much to admire here, loyalty, dedication, professionalism, future planning, high standards, significant charitable support, innovation and recognising and rewarding their many, many longstanding staff. Wishing David all the very best for the future (I’m certain he won’t be sitting around) and to Aldo too because the future could not be in better hands. PS I am not an employee with an “OBN”, simply an observer who got close enough to have a good understanding of the way this business works and these two outstanding gentlemen.
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I only met David once for an interview but he was the sharpest person I’ve ever come across in agency and gave me some great advice at the time too. Top man!
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Enjoy your retirement David you have earned it.
Big shoes to fill but Aldo is a natural fit.
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He’s been such a massive figure in that business, wish him all the best. If you judge a man by the company he keeps then the fact he’s rejected my many attempts to sell/oversell to him over the years puts him in rude health!
Despite that I’ve always found David’s stark honesty very refreshing and looking at aspects of their business from some of their competitors shows me they’ve managed to stay agile despite being over 100+ offices which is some going.
Wish you all the best for the future David for a well deserved break, and from what I’ve seen Aldo seems perfectly suited for the job.
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David was my Area Manager at Prudential Property Services based in the Dover Office around 1988 and I was envious of his sporty Toyota MR2! He once persuaded me to work 13 consecutive days because they were short-staffed, a feat that has never been repeated and never will. I found him to be decent and fair provided you did your bit. Enjoy your retirement David, you’ve undoubtedly earned it.
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I only met David once, at a recruitment evening, I was pointed out by one of their managers as working along the road from his office for their biggest rival. I didn’t get the job, they couldn’t afford me haha!
I also know Aldo from his time as a junior negotiator and have watched his progress from afar as he progressed his career to the forthcoming position he has worked for and rightly deserves.
Congratulations to you both.
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Its interesting to read the comments on here, some would argue differently.
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Don’t get me wrong a lot of negatives at Arun estates but David has maintained and grown a profitable business. Not easy to keep everybody happy.
He does not openly run other agents down on a regular basis like Quirk, Bruces, Paul Smith etc.
If i can achieve half of what he has i will be VERY happy.
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