The widely respected founder of a regional estate agency has decided to step down 27 years after setting up the business.

Andrew Granger founded his estate agency, Andrew Granger & Co, in 1989 and has grown it into one of the largest independent agencies in the east midlands.

Granger has decided to step down from his current day-to-day role but will act as consultant.

Having set up Andrew Granger & Co in 1989 in a single office in Market Harborough, the company now has over 50 directors and staff across three offices in Harborough, Leicester and Loughborough.

Granger himself has become involved in a range of roles outside the business, including being President of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce in 2007 and Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire in 2008.

He has also held the title of the National President of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers and been actively involved in a great deal of charity work.

Mark Sandall, joint managing director who joined Andrew Granger & Co in 2000, remains with the firm, while Stephen Mair has been appointed to the board of directors.

Pictured left to right are Mark Faulkner, Andrew Granger and Stephen Mair