THE chairman and managing director of a Shropshire-based, regional firm of estate agents, chartered surveyors, auctioneers and valuers has announced his decision to stand down.

Peter Willcock, from Bishop's Castle, will retire from his dual role at Halls Holdings Limited in Shrewsbury at the end of September but will continue to work for the company as a consultant.

He has worked for the company, which has a network of nine offices across Shropshire, Worcestershire and Mid Wales, for 38 years and has led the company as chairman and managing director for 26 years.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being chairman and managing director of Halls but it’s time for a change and I have always believed in a retirement policy,” said Peter Wilcock.

“When I started with the company, there were only five shareholders but today we have 14 and the areas of responsibility for running the business have become much greater because of the legislative requirements and the fact that we have expanded from our core business.

“I will continue to handle land management work, support the livestock markets in Bishop's Castle and Shrewsbury.”

Peter Willcock, who will be 65 in October, joined the company as a partnership of Hall, Wateridge and Owen in 1979 and became the youngest partner in 1982. The business was sold to General Accident and he became a member of the GA’s regional board for property services.

In March 1991, he organised a management buyout of the business from General Accident with a team of directors.

Peter Wilcock is keen on sport.

He played rugby for Bishop's Castle well into his 40s and still enjoys golf and shooting – and wife, three children and five grandchildren have provided what he describes as the “balance and distance” he needed for his busy working life.