One of the industry’s most respected figures, Michael Robson, has stepped down with immediate effect as chief executive of regional chain Andrews Property Group.

It was announced yesterday that Robson, who has decided to retire, will remain with the company – which has 55 branches and some 700 staff – until the end of the year in an advisory role.

David Westgate, who has been managing director of the group’s lettings and management business for the last 20 years has assumed the role of group chief executive, also with immediate effect.

Robson, pictured below, joined Andrews 40 years ago as a trainee negotiator and became group chief executive in 1990. He has been a director of the Property Ombudsman Scheme for almost 17 years.

His achievements have been remarkable – and unique in the industry.

A Christian, he has overseen a company set up by a philanthropist, Cecil Jackson Cole, to make as much money as possible through its commercial success, to benefit charities.

Andrews is owned by three registered charitable trusts and pays out a dividend to them each year. The trusts are Andrews Charitable Trust; the Christian Book Promotion Trust; and the Christian Initiative Trust.

Of these, by far the largest beneficiary is the Andrews Charitable Trust, which supports a large number of very diverse causes – for example, organisations helping ex-offenders, youth leadership programmes and a boxing academy.

Robson has also got his staff involved in many fund-raising activities – and encouraged many to show real hands-on commitment. For example, staff have voluntarily worked to build orphanages in eastern Europe.

For the last two consecutive years, Andrews has been able to hand over record amounts – for 2015, it handed £633,000 to its shareholders, up £40,000 on 2014.

Robson was instrumental in getting the industry charity now known as Agents’ Giving off the ground, and also sits on the board of the Property Ombudsman.

He is also on the boards of organisations which have received grants from the Andrews Charitable Trust.

Robson has also shown shrewd business success, overseeing significant growth at Andrews; spearheading the introduction of industry-leading technology; and personally winning several awards.

Commenting on his departure, Robson said: “Having had the privilege of working with some outstanding people at Andrews over the years, it was not an easy decision to retire but I know David is the best person to lead the group in to the next era.

“His considerable experience, not only at Andrews but more widely in the industry, will serve him and the business well.”

In addition to his advisory role at Keynsham-headquartered Andrews Property Group, Robson will continue to serve on the board of TPO, as well as on the boards of some of the organisations helped by the Andrews Charitable Trust.

Speaking on his promotion to group chief executive, David Westgate said: “I’m very much looking forward to the challenge ahead of me.

“The property industry is such an exciting place to work and I feel passionately about the role Andrews has to play in moving it forward.

“Whilst some in the sector speak of uncertainty, I prefer to focus on certainties. Andrews is a business that is thriving; we are growing in key strategic areas and we have, I believe, the very best team in the industry working to serve our loyal customer base.

“I’m confident that we have a very positive future ahead of us and am delighted to be leading the team moving forward.”

Westgate is a Chartered Surveyor and an active trustee of the Andrews Charitable Trust. He is married with three children and away from work enjoys beekeeping, classic vehicles and sport.