The directors of a well-established local independent have handed over the baton to new owners who have been working in the company.

The three sales offices of Gibbins Richards, in Taunton, Bridgwater and Wellington, Somerset, have been bought from the founding partners by Ben Grant and Nick Girone-Maddocks.

The previous directors of the firm, launched in 1991 and which has a staff of 24, were Mark Gibbins, Marc Richards and Simon Evans.

While still involved in the lettings side of the business, the trio will now be consultants on the sales side.

The new owners both live locally and have 50 combined years in the industry.

Grant has worked for Gibbins Richards for the past 17 years, most recently managing the Bridgwater office.

Girone-Maddocks has been at the company for over ten years and managed the Wellington branch.

Gibbins said: “We have all reached a time in our lives when we want to step back from the front line of the business.

“It’s a business we remain very passionate about and we wanted to make sure that it was in good hands going forward both for our clients and our existing staff.

“We are absolutely thrilled to pass the baton to Ben and Nick, who are both trusted and long-standing members of the Gibbins Richards family. We know that they have the energy and enthusiasm to take the business from strength to strength.”