Martyn Gerrard, founder of the estate agency that bears his name, has died.

He opened his first office, in Whetstone, on May 25, 1964.

The firm now has a sizeable branch network throughout north London.

In the seventies, he turned down an offer by one of the big insurance companies, as Martyn Gerrard believed – and continued to believe – that the function of an agent was to sell and let property, not to sell insurance.

It remains very much a family operation, with his son Simon taking over as managing director in 2005. Saul Gerrard is also a director.

The Gerrard family turned out in force to support Simon at his dinner when he became NAEA president in 2014.

On Twitter yesterday, the firm paid tribute, saying: “We are sad to announce the passing of Mr Martyn Gerrard. He was an inspiration to us all. We have lost our founder, mentor & a great friend.”

Our condolences to the family and staff.