There will be a new man at the helm of West Country estate agency Cooper and Tanner as long-serving managing director Quintyn Howard-Evans steps down.

Fellow director Nick Oliver will take over as MD of the firm, which has 11 branches  in Somerset and Wiltshire and has been established for more than 100 years.

Mr Howard-Evans (pictured) originally joined Cooper and Tanner in 1989 as a junior negotiator, working his way up to Managing Director, during which time the firm has grown to its current size from just three branches.

As well as residential sales, the company also offers surveying services and holds regular auctions, ranging from livestock and machinery sales to antiques and vintage items.

Mr Howard-Evans said: “Cooper and Tanner have given me a wonderful work life for over 30 years and I believe that this firm – and indeed this industry – offers anyone the opportunity to achieve great things if they want to.

‘World has changed enormously’

“The world has changed enormously in my time here. However, some things remain important – honesty, integrity and actually caring about what you do still carry huge currency in the word of estate agency and auctioneering.”

Nick Oliver joined in 1989, soon becoming a director of Cooper and Tanner Nationwide. He was involved in the company buy-back, becoming a partner in Cooper and Tanner, and later a director.

He continues to be involved in all aspects of the practice, although has given up being a livestock auctioneer after a number of years selling at both Frome and Glastonbury markets.

He is now  looking forward to continuing the development and expansion of the company.

Read more about Cooper and Tanner.