Shock as Belvoir founder Goddard stands down...

Mike Goddard, founder of lettings franchise chain Belvoir, is standing down as CEO with immediate effect.

A surprise announcement last night said he will take on the role of chairman, and the company will be run by current behind-the-scenes operations director Dorian Gonsalves who moves up to become managing director.

Goddard, 61, founded Belvoir with his wife Stephanie in 1995. Their son Andrew, who has helped run the firm, will continue to work for Belvoir, but from home and on a three-day week.

Goddard senior said: “The shareholders, who include Stephanie and my son Andrew, have no current intention of selling the company, but are investing to take Belvoir to the next level.

“In my new role of chairman I will continue to act as an ambassador for the company, providing an effective policy of promoting Belvoir to the business community, the industry and the general public.”

Goddard will also continue his role as chairman of the British Franchise Association, and serving on the board of the Property Ombudsman scheme.

He added: “Dorian and Andrew have driven the company for the last four years and have succeeded in doubling network turnover. They have guided Belvoir through a period of unprecedented economic challenges and brought us to the position we are at today.

“I am massively indebted to their contribution to Belvoir.”

Gonsalves said: “My vision for the future includes increasing the network to 200 offices within the next three years.”

He stressed it was not the case that Andrew Goddard had been passed over as Belvoir's new boss. He said: "It's actually quite the opposite as Andrew and I have worked in partnership for the last four years, and we have every intention of doing so for the next few years. Andrew reduced his hours slightly at the end of 2009 and he will continue to be an active part of the management team. And, of course, he's a shareholder. Andrew's skills are genuinely irreplaceable."